QEGS GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT ICELAND 2009

The end

2009-11-05T12:09:00.001-08:00

After three geographically and geologically action packed days I had finally done it... I had tired them out, just as well as we have to get up at 03.30 to catch our plane home.

Luke Francis

Thursday

2009-11-05T11:26:00.001-08:00

After the fourth early wake up call in four days and the disappointment of again not seeing the Northern Lights the night before, it was time for the last day to explore the beautiful country of Iceland. Mr Quick, of all people, failed to oblige to the bronco 5 rule and our all for 1, 1 for all rule meant he had to be left behind much to his disappointment.

Stepping out the hotel, we were greeted by a harsh cold wet wind for the first time this week (reminding us of home). We said cold and tired as we got on the bus to Sophia (our guide) because rather ironically it sounds an awful lot like Good Morning in Icelandic.

Our first trip was just round the corner to the thermal springs including the aptly named (Serial) Killer Spring-named after cooking two people who fell into it, (Really) Rubbish Spring-where everybody used to dump there rubbish and it spewed it back out all over the town of Hveregardi for miles around, and the Big Blue Spring-because it´s a big blue spring! We cooked eggs in the boiling water of the Killer Spring whilst we were guided around by someone who we only knew as ´librarian woman´. As you can see from the picture it was still fairly dark outside.

We pushed on with an incredibly long (and sleepy) drive to the very south of Iceland where we went to the beach named Dyrholaey. The waves were fairly big and disappointingly it was deemed a bit too dangerous to satisfy our teenage boy urges by Mr. Francis to throw rocks at stuff.

The other side of a small town called Vik, there was another beach which we called Killer beach, being far more dangerous than the previous beach due to the Killer cliffs. the Killer waves and especially the Killer sand (aka quicksand).

After another long sleep, it was getting late and we had a vote whether to go to the Geothermic power station or back to the hotel. Mr. Francis was impressed yet slightly disappointed when the majority ruled to do more Geography, brave the weather one last time and visit the power station. After a fantastic tour and inspirational speech by the power station guide (yeah right) we returned home after another arduous and tiresome day to the red hot swimming pool for a bit of rest and relaxation. During tea we were reunited with Mr. Quick who had also had another very tiring day... in bed!

Alex Rushforth, Andrew Fu, Toby Balen and Chris Lo

Skogafoss waterfall

2009-11-04T13:28:00.000-08:00

Ah Iceland in November.....the sun was high in the winter sky. We were happy and the forecast is good for tomorrow. But I really want it to be cold and horrible so they get a real taste of Icelandic weather.

Luke Francis

The beach

2009-11-04T12:57:00.000-08:00

After a rollercoaster off road adventure in the minibus across the rock laiden beach, we arrived at the edge of the outwash plain (the big beach). Below the Atlantic Ocean swashed up onto the basalt beach. Superman TG (Tom Golden) displayed his amazing mountaineering skills by promptly falling straight down the hill, LOL!

After several minutes Danny Smith had finally negotiated his way to the lower beach. meanwhile Fred and Co. had expressed their wild side by heading straight into the freezing ocean. Only to turn and run straight back out (so much for playing the 'hard man').

Here we showed our artistic side. After several attempts at spelling QEGS correct (and a few other obscene drawings. No names.... Dave) we had created the positive impression Mr Francis had wanted we, quickly took some snaps and then proceeded to add a few extra words ....

Ben James, Mikey O'Donnell, Joe Parker and Ed (the extra off Waterloo Road).

Solheimajokull glacier

2009-11-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

After a breath taking view of the Vestmannnaeyjar island, our second destination of the day was to the Solheimajokull glacier. This glacier is actually the snout at the southwestern outlet of the Myrdalsjokull icecap, measuring at 8km long and 2km wide. We were greeted by the harsh volcanic landscape and the nasty sulphuric emissions of the Jokulla river (also know as the 'stinking river'). Mr Francis was in his element and seemed somewhat overly passionate about glaciers(or so we think). At one point he was so caught up in the moment that he asked to be left there. After the best part of an hour we finally ventured onto the snout of the glacier, following Mr Francis who was armed with an ice axe and some poles ( he had finally found a new use for them instead of threatening students).

We eventually returned to the bus, and enjoyed our 'delightful' lunch. Unfornately there were no eggs this time, however the salad cream still remained to everyone's amusment. Next stop, the Black beach a.k.a Eyvindarholar.

Usman Khan and Ross Hawley

Stukklar, Geyser.

2009-11-03T12:44:00.000-08:00

Awlright Geezer! (old gags are the best).

Luke Francis

The last major trip of the day was the awe inspiring sight of the stukklar geyser which erupted so often you couldnt avoid the boiling steam clouds. it rose 30 meters into the sky towering over all of us. There where some technical issues such as the batteries freezing in the camera. The causes of the geyser were somewhat vague (Mr Quick) but thanks to Mr Pickersgills A2 notes have given sufficient insight into the matter, (something to do with superheating of the water trapped in the rocks causing a build up of pressure as the gases of the rhyolitic magma slowly escape eventually leading to the sudden release of pressure as the steam explodes forth into the sky). We actually wanted to see the famed old geyser but nature had other ideas and it was out of order.

Simon Town

Day 2: Iceland 2009

2009-11-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

After an early start having spent the night without the sleeping bags we apparently needed, (which took up half our luggage, thanks Mr Francis.) We encountered the first challenge of the trip; Breakfast, including the pickled herring. with some members of the group obviously not grasping Mr Francis´ somewhat harsh 'bronco 5' time. As we departed it was obvious that some members of the group (not mentioning any names... Fred Fox) were not wearing the appropriate clothing be clad in just t-shirt and sweatpants. :) LOL. after yet another stern few words from Mr. Francis, Fred managed to gain a few extra layers off fellow students.

Now to the geography side of the blog. It was cold... very cold!!

Over the course of the day we visited some awe inspiring sights, the first of these being þingfellir, the rift valley created by the mid-atlantic ridge (the contructive plate boundary, between the north american and euroasian plate boundaries.) Also the meeting place of a millenium old Icelandic paliament set up in 930 (the oldest parliament still running today.

Several hundred pictures later... we arrived at one of the many wishing points where Icelandic tourists would throw there life savings for the chance of a wish come true. (Some people so desperate, even throwing there credit card to the deep.)

After an intresting lunch (which consisted of NOT the packed lunch we were given, but anything else that was available) we visited the spectacular sights of the Gullfoss Waterfalls, one of Icelands most visited. The spectical consisted of two stages which plunge into a rift valley below, (a certain death to any unlucky traveller not paying attention to Mr Francis (even the elderly couple minding their own buisness)

Ross Oakes, Ben James, Thomas Golden and Dan Smith

Þingvellir

2009-11-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

Blue Lagoon

2009-11-02T12:45:00.000-08:00

We arrived in Iceland just before 4.oo pm local time to be greeted by our minibus driver who took us directly to the Blue Lagoon. An excellent way to refresh yourself after an international flight. However, I found the sight of good hardy QEGS folk from Yorkshire with exfoliating mineral face packs on quite disturbing, sadly I have no photos but I can assure you that, your sons have never been so clean.

We should be here on the 3rd November.

2009-10-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

The first parliament. It was founded in 930 at Þingvellir, (the "assembly fields" or "Parliament Plains"), situated approximately 45 km east of the country's capital, Reykjavík. This stands on the constructive plate boundary between North America and Europe.

2009-10-22T03:48:00.000-07:00

2009-10-22T03:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the QEGS Geography department Icelandic Blog. This is new to us, we intend to blog about our visit to Iceland this November, please follow us.