Day 2 – Thurs 16th Feb: the Secret Lagoon, Gulfoss, Geysir, Thingvellir National Park.

We set out for the Secret Lagoon first thing after a breakfast of cereal, waffles and juices. We spent an hour bathing in the geothermally heated waters. Parts of it were very, very warm so we had to pick our bathing spots carefully. Nearly everyone tried some ‘snow bathing’ too for the true Icelandic experience; getting really, really cold before submerging themselves in the warm water.

Next we drove to Gulfoss, a huge waterfall where thousands of litres tumble over two-tiers into a narrow canyon. In the past British investors planned to divert the river for energy production but were unsuccessful after a protest by a local farmer’s daughter, Sigridur Tomasdottir, who walked to Reykjavík bare foot to draw attention to the issue. Also en route was a pool used to drown suspected witches in

A few miles further we stopped at Geysir, another geothermal area with bubbling springs and geysers. We walked a short distance, past a number of steaming fumaroles that bubbled away with a smell of rotten eggs. We then reached Strokkur, the most impressive geyser in the area which constantly bubbles away then blasts water 20m in the air every 5 minutes or so. We saw a series of four or five steam eruptions, each more impressive than the last. Pupils then had time to buy souvenirs and extra food in the shopping area nearby.

Our last visit of the day was to Thingvellir National Park. We stopped at at a number of viewing platforms with impressive panoramas over the rift valley that runs south-west to north-East through Iceland. We then walked about a mile through the Rift Valley alongside the edge of the North American Plate which towered to our right hand side. Looking east we could see braided streams running into Lake Thingvellirvatn and volcanoes framing the horizon. En route Stephen stopped us at Logberg ‘the law rock’. Here Iceland’s Viking leaders formed the world’s first democratic parliament and would meet annually to recite existing laws and resolve judicial matters. We also stopped along the way at a footbridge to admire the gurgling water below. But this was the Drekkingarhylur (Drowning Pool) a place where, between 1602 and 1750, at least 18 women were executed for suspected witchcraft.

Evening meal of bbq chicken, rice and chips followed by apple crumble.

MCS Geography: Iceland Fieldtrip blog

Day 1 – Weds 15th Feb: MCS – Hotel Vatnsholt, SW Iceland

An early start this morning – 4.30am outside the school gates! Feelings of eagerness, anticipation (and slight angst among the teachers) could be felt as we waited for the coach, which arrived 10 minutes behind schedule. However, a smooth journey got us to Heathrow promptly and we navigated check in and security without mishap. Pupils enjoyed airport breakfast while others partook in some plane-spotting. Our tour guide, Stephen, met us and introduced himself before we boarded the flight.

On arriving in Iceland, we were greeted with heavy snowfall and sharp, chilling winds – a true baptism to Icelandic conditions. Waiting for us was our rather stern and bus-proud driver, Bernstein, who oversaw a strict and well-rehearsed luggage-packing-protocol, before delivering the ‘ground rules of transit on Bernstein’s bus’. From Keflavik airport we drove across the lava fields of the south-west to the ‘bridge between the continents’ and walked over the fissure that has opened as the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates have split apart. Snowball fights ensued as we clambered down into the fault line.

Our next stop was Brimketill, an extraordinary geological feature on the coast near Staðarberg. Here the lava rock of the coastline has been rounded into what looks like a big man-made bath tub due to the constant beating of the Atlantic waves. A raised metal walkway led us to a coastal viewing platform where enormous waves crashed beneath us and covered us in spray. An unfortunate group of year 10 pupils had an early shower. Before re-boarding the coach Bernstein conducted a thorough boot inspection to prevent any sand being deposited on board.

From here we had a long drive to Hotel Vatnsholt. En route Stephen described recent volcanic activity in the area and pointed out new lava flows which had melted the thick snow from sections of some hillsides. We arrived at Hotel Vatnsholt at 7.30pm, all feeling very hungry and worn out from a long day of travel. Rooms were allocated before we shared spaghetti bolognese followed by ice cream for our evening meal. We invited Bernstein to join us, hoping to mellow him for the coming days. Before bed, pupils enjoyed the games room, some TV or followed the Swans in their 2-1 win victory against Blackpool.