Our flight took us up over Labrador, across the bottom of Greenland to Iceland. We started with a breakfast at a local restaurant and a tour of Reykjavik and surrounding area.

Desolate countryside of old lava flows with fields of blue Arctic Lupins to break up the bleakness. In the distance we can steam rising from the Blue Lagoon, one of many geothermal high temperature areas in Iceland. On our drive we crossed from the North American continent across the mid-Atlantic ridge to the European plate. As we drove through the rift valley we could see the crack marks. At this point the Earth’s crust is very thin (11 kms).

There are 48 active volcanos and many daily earthquakes, but as these are a result of the plates pulling apart they are mild. The gulf stream passes along the south and up the west coast which makes for mild winters. A snow fall is often followed by rain.

Their main source of energy is geothermal and all permanent buildings are heated using natural steam, in fact, the steam and water occurring naturally has to be cooled before being transferred.

Iceland does not have and has never had a military. They tried to be neutral during WW11. However, the Brits arrived and established an airfield. When they asked Iceland to pay for half of the base, they were told there was no money available but they could take it with them when they leave.We had dinner at a local restaurant and tried a local delicacy, minkewhale carpaccio. It was very tasty.

Some pictures of the landscape we passed through

The steam from the Blue Lagoon in the distance

We passed several distinctive sculptures such as this

Gary and Maureen made a new friend

An overview of Reykjavik