Welshot Do Iceland Again – 2015 – Day 3

Today was all about glaciers and icebergs and possible ice caves. So the first stop today was Svinafellsjökel an outlet glacier.

Svinafellsjökel glacier

Just the sheer size of this huge ice flow took your breath away. I always remember from our previous trips to Iceland, our guide told us how there was something quite spiritual about glaciers and this place just proved him right. From the blue colour of the ice, to the silence that swept over the glacier. You could literally hear the ice cracking or moaning under the strain of pressure.

Welshotters in action at the Svinafellsjökel glacier.

Eirian ponders on life without Lee, trying to keep Welshotters happy.

Once we had recovered from our delight at the glacier, we carried on just around the corner to Skaftafell home of the Svartifoss or the "Black" waterfall.

Getting to the waterfall was no mean feat. The short hike up the valley wasn't without its fair share of climbs and obstacles. Part of the pathway was thick in sheet ice / frozen snow. I very gingerley walked over over the slippery stuff with Eirian keeping a watchful eye on where I was placing my feet. It was pretty scary for me not being an avid hiker or snow lover!

The view at the end of the hike was worth it though...

Skaftafell (the Black waterfall)

Skaftafell

Bare in mind the walk down to the above view so it was fare to say I was bricking myself walking back up, but I did it and felt so much better for it.

We stopped for a quick tea break (vodka break) at the Skaftafell visitors centre, after which we made our way to our next stop, the Glacial lagoon at Jökulsárlón.

We did manage a small unscheduled stop. Joan wanted to see the Church at Hof (Hofskirkja).

The church at Hof

The church at Hof

On to Jökulsárlón. Aron took us to a part of the lagoon that not many people go to. As with most attractions in Iceland, they get very busy and this was one of the more popular stop offs for photographers. So Aron's knowledge of the area served us well, we got a part of the lagoon to ourselves.

Here icebergs that were once part of the glacier start making their way down to the ocean front.

We left the lagoon to go to the beach front to see where the broken off icebergs eventually end up...

..... and that was it for our activities for the day, we made our way to the hotel where we would be staying for the next two nights.

After dinner we did get an aurora show, but it was pretty muted by clouds (well until 4:30am - but I didn't stay up, I was drunk!!)

Cloudy Aurora

Due to the nature of Internet connections, there may not be another update until we get home. This days post took the best part of two days to post. Apologies.