DAY 3 (part 2)
The journey back to Reykjavik

With the weather closing in we began the journey back to Reykjavik in a gradually increasing blizzard. Snow was falling steadily as Iceland's main road '1' took us into the mountains on the journey back.
We passed the isolated farm steads and suddenly the wind began to howl and driving winds buffeted the vans sides.

Isolated farms

View before the snow set in.

 

The road 10 minutes later!

 

The wind scudded across the roads blowing the snow with it and very soon the visibility decreased and we slowed. Eirikur carried on driving stating that this was not bad and could be far worse in the real winter. We ploughed on and finally stopped at about half way and were fed and looked after by his mum and then continued on our way.

One of the spectacular views from the journey.

 

Throughout the journey the views were spectacular with snow capped mountains and jagged peaks. For a geographer it was fantastic seeing classic examples of the glaciation I teach in school.

The staggering jagged peaks.

We passed through valleys with swollen rivers still covered in ice and then returned to the mountains for another pass through this amazing scenery.

With Eirikur driving and his knowledge of the roads the others were soon left behind and knowing my interest in volcanoes he pulled over and suggested we walk up to the top of one of the nearby craters called Grabrokargigar.

Grabrokargigar volcano.

 

This had been carefully signposted and steps built up the side to enable access. Once again stunning scenery was available in the distance and in the crater. While walking up the second van shot past on the road below, a phone call later and it returned and the others joined us on the summit.
(Eirikur if your reading this both girls have taken their piece of volcanic rock into show and tell at school).

View of the crater from the top of the volcano.

 

In the late evening we returned to Reykjavik and, while filling our cylinders, mad rapid calculations to see whether we could get a final set of dives in on the last day and be OK to fly.

  

Stunning view of Reykjavik at night. 

 

We finished the day returning to the Berg Hotel at 1am ready for a lie in till 6!