Jeannie
After looking through photograph albums over many years I have decided to record some places and travels from the past as well as future travels. This is so at least I can keep up to some extent with my two travelling daughters! JintysJourneys
Travel Blog Posts
A whistle stop tour of the capital to whale watching in rough seas!
Published: August 30th 2008Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Reykjavík
August 23rd 2008
Our second to last day saw us returning to the capital. Yes it still looked as grey as ever. We drove under the Hvalfjordur tunnel to get there. Due to the Iceland marathon being on we only had a very short tour of the town which meant basically a quick look at the cathedral and a very quick tour of the 'Perlan.' After a quiet afternoon sorting out we went out the the harbour for our great 'whale watching adventure.' Now I don't like boats. I'm OK in my own canoe but put me in anything larger than that and my balance does wierd things. We were told by going out at 5 pm we had a good chance of seeing whales. The commentary was good and we went up on deck to have a good ... read more
A tranquil paradise in Akureyri and a journey across the north.
Published: August 30th 2008Europe » Iceland » North » Akureyri
August 22nd 2008
Today was a big change from the landscapes of the past few days. We drove westward towards the northern town of Akuryri. This was a place where I could actually consider living. It lay near the bottom of the long fjord of Eyjafjordur. The mountains gave the impression of being in Switzerland and everything was a lot greener. This town is the capital of the north and an important centre for services, culture and commerce. Around 17,000 people live here and there was a warm atmosphere to the place, unlike the greyness of the capital. (Maybe I just don't like cities) Our first stop was to view some of the old buildings.... I really have to re adjust my mind to what is actually 'old' in Iceland. We stop at the top of the beautiful botanical ... read more
August 21st 2008
Today was a visit to Lake Myvatn area. A strange place will volcanos in the distance. The immense bird life seemed to be on holiday elsewhere but we can clain on our trip so far to have seen as well as our delightful puffins some..... eider duck, red throated diver and the great northern diver. (Apparently I should have been very pleased to have seen that!)This area has so many diverse volcanic sites in a small area. The lake is the fourth largest in Iceland and probably the most fertile spot on the globe at a similar latitude. It was created after the ice age had ended some 10,000 years ago.However, it only really formed about 3.800 years ago when a lava flow blocked the valley to create a shallow lake. After a quick look around ... read more
Amongst thunderous waterfalls and lava flows.
Published: August 28th 2008Europe » Iceland » Northwest
August 20th 2008
Today was incredible. After a stay at an unusual hotel which looked a bit like a prisoner of war camp we left in 5 degrees of cold. (The hotel was one of the boarding schools which exist in Iceland. Luckily we were staying in the modern bit as the old building looked dreadful. However, not to judge a book by its cover the dreadful building housed an elegant dining room where we had a delicious supper of peppered pork. ) In the morning we headed towards the most powerful waterfall in Europe...Dettifoss! The journey to get there took us over high peaks again with baren lunar looking landscapes. The road to Dettifoss was narrow and made of gravel. We stopped at a small farmstead up in the middle of nowhere. How these farmers live throughout the ... read more
August 19th 2008
Today was meant to be one of the highlights of our trip with a visit to the Jokulsarlon Lagoon. Yes, it was certainly spectacular if you pointed your camera in the right direction but I was expecting a larger lagoon, not quite so near the main road. So I turned my gaze from civilisation and soon I was miles aways amonst the icebergs and yes, seals! The glacier is melting more and more each year so I'm not sure what this place will look in a few years? The blue ice is an illusion and due to the ice being so compressed with no air inside. The boat trip was not long enough for me and I wished we'd had longer there. Once out in the water the boat steadied and there was plenty of time ... read more
August 18th 2008
We had a good night's sleep at a lovely guest house with fairy houses outside. (Yes, we are still waiting to spot them. ) The little houses looked well used outside and well situated. Our rooms were comfortable with a great view of the mountains behind. Birds sang in the shrubs outside and we were convinced we saw something moving behind a small rock. Maybe the local trolls coming to visit? We were looking forward to the trip to the Puffin island. We had been told they were still there but not in great numbers. It was a little too late in the season and most in the west had already gone. Sounded like the start of a children's story like ' The last loneliest puffin? ' We arrived at the place where the tractor would ... read more
A journey eastwards towards the Skaftafell National Park.
Published: August 27th 2008Europe » Iceland » South » Vík
August 17th 2008
After a night in a somewhat interesting guesthouse we journeyed on towards the National Park. Our first stop was at the most beautiful waterfall in the world. (Yes. I've changed my mind today or at least it was the most beautiful waterfall today. )We stopped at the Seljalandsfoss waterfall where it is possible to walk behind. Once again there were only a few people ahead of us so photos came out well. It's amazing how few people there are at each place. A real pleasure for us! It was a beautiful place and the waterfall with its backdrop was tranquil and peaceful. We drove onto the Skogar Folk Museum which was fascinating. This is known as one of the best folk museums in Scandinavia. At last we discovered a little bit of history amongst the dramatic ... read more
August 16th 2008
We started our Iceland adventure on a busy Friday evening at Heathrow. The flight to Reyjavik was smooth and we were soon there. Our first accommodation was at the university just across from the main cathedral. Memories of 1970's college halls of residence came flooding back. The furniture even looked the same. We awoke throughout the night to the sound of what seemed to be a seal clapping but in the morning it was only the metal wires of the flag pole outside. Rekjavik was dull and gloomy but as an optimist I knew the weather would cheer up. They have a saying in Iceland that if you don't like the weather then just wait 15 minutes. (Rekjavik seemed a rather plain, uninteresting place but then I am not much of a town person and the ... read more
The start of the journey
Published: July 24th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Suffolk » Ipswich
July 22nd 2008
I think this will be a bit like time travelling as I am not sure where I will start. So I thought I'd might as well start at home in Suffolk. This beautiful county has been home to us for over 30 years now which seems incredible. The countryside around Ipswich is beautiful and still holds a fascination for us. The magnificant span of the surprisingly elegant Orwell bridge sets the scene and is the gateway to many beautiful places. So my first journey will take you round the local fields and meadows of Belstead Brook. Once under the A14 tunnel the countryside spreads out towards Copdock. Bentley and the peninsula. There are many pathways to follow. Walking near our home allows us to see so much of nature despite the roar of traffic from the ... read more
She flies through the air with the greatest of ease or how to spend your 50th birthday!
Published: July 25th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Norfolk
September 25th 2005
Well this was certainly going to be one of those mile stone journeys in life if only for a few minutes and for the grand distance of 12,000 feet! I finally got up the courage to pick up the phone and ring Geoff on the Thursday. Two days only to wait. The problem was that there was an airshow that day and we had to wait. There were other excited or nervous jumpers ahead and I had to be the last one. Still we watched the very glamerous Utterly Butterly lady do her wing walking in the bright yellow airoplane! Yes she even had the blonde hair to match. I must admit it all looked quite exciting. Maybe that's the next thing to do on my 'to do' list! Other jumpers went up and came down ... read more
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