There is something about an airport at 04.45 in the morning. Sitting watching hen parties and families about to go off on holiday and none showing any enthusiasm! It’s the ‘what does the 0 in 04.45 stand for?’…….. Oh my God is it that early!

I was up at 3.45 and on my way to the airport by 4.10, the car temperature showing a balmy minus three, preparation for Iceland. Checked in and sitting with a coffee by 5. There is a lot to be said for fast track and online check in. Heard from the others, they are on their way so DL Iceland dive is underway.

Now for the delights of a full English at the airport and then a trip to Reykjavik via Easy Jet. I have put a picture below, no idea why probably to prove we are here and that it is still dark outside.

This is, for me, a trip into the unknown and yet the familiar. Being a geographer I have studied and used the island as an example for years. From the eruption at Heimay and how the locals fought back, to the last major eruption at Ejacafalofal which disrupted the worlds flights and gave me an extra weeks diving in Egypt (the famed vulcations!) . I have studied Iceland as an example of an island being created on a constructive plate margin and all the processes involved. On top of that there is the glaciation and the potential problems that arise when they are mixed with volcanoes. It still amazes me that this is where the Earth’s surface is being created and I am going to be lucky enough to see this and dive it!

I had a last check online at the dive sites. They look great, I’m looking forward to all of them, but probably the most interesting is going to be the thermal vents. I can’t wait for the opportunity to dive something that is normally beyond the reach of anything but tech divers/subs. Silfra goes without saying, a geographers dream to dive in a plate margin and touch two continental plates at once. Diving with Guillemots should also be interesting, I have heard about them shooting past in a blaze of bubbles but want to see it for myself.

There is also a vague hope of the Northern Lights, this could end up being a great trip, although I am not building up expectations, I am going and whatever happens will be.

He pre-flight full English is now due so time to add some weight to the plane.