Tag: Nature

Iceland day 2 – Reykjavik

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Today was spent exploring Reykjavik as this meant I got to spend the morning with my Grandparents 😍 they have been travelling in style on their cruise and docked this morning.

Unfortunately a lot of the city is under construction, so getting a photo without a crane proves quite a challenge, especially around the harbour.

We have eaten well today! This morning we started with pancakes and pastries at Sandholt bakery. The long wait for food was worth it because it was delicious. We also enjoyed some fish and chips and Santa necked a few pints at the Frederiksen Ale House. Again a long wait for food but the fish was so fresh and the batter was melt in the mouth.

Tonight was all about the midnight sun, and it was beautiful. The sun set around 23:45 and we decided to take in these views at the sun voyager. As I’m typing this (00:30) it still isn’t dark outside; Iceland you really know how to play with my head!!

 

Iceland Day 1 – The Golden Circle

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Today I’ve had the grand total of half hour sleep thanks to the most uncomfortable bed at the Ibis Budget in Manchester (I got SOB lying on my front because I was basically lying on a slab) so I needed to treat myself to a cheeky Giraffe airport breaky to keep myself awake for the day ahead.

Picked up the trusted wheels that’s going to get us around for the next few days, who we’ve named Tómas the Toyota. Never driven on the opposite side before; nailed it!

Our first stop was at Þórufoss. It isn’t officially on The Golden Circle but worth the stop as it’s very scenic and peaceful. The drive up to this is stunning as the sea of purple lupins take over the side of the road.

Thingvellir National Park was our second destination; home to some of the scenes in GoT. Unfortunately it rained the majority of our time here but it was still stunning, especially Öxarárfoss. The different shades and textures around the park make it such a special destination and it’s clear why it was given World Heritage status.

Gullfoss was up next and is thought to be one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions. The natural beauty of this place made us keen to return to be snap happy once again and enjoy the lush surroundings. Loaded up on a latte as the severe lack of sleep was starting to catch up.

As the rain clouds started rolling in we hopped into Tómas and made the short drive to Geysir. What could be better than the smell of rotten egg! Luckily the main Geysir ‘Strokkur’ erupts every few minutes so armed with the Nikon and the Tripod I was able to get a good few snaps.

Last stop for today was Kerið; a volcanic crater lake. The vivid blue of the water against the shades of reds and greens surrounding it made it such a treat and a lovely but windy way to finish the trip.

Back at the hotel and no energy to go out and eat, so we made do with some sandwiches and crisps from the local supermarket. Unfortunately we might have to hang around a few street corners to pay for it. They also don’t sell any alcohol.. what a shame for Santa!

As I’m writing this it’s 22:30 and still broad daylight.. so here’s to another sleepless night!!

 

Day 10 – Brønnøysund & Day 11 – Kristiansund

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So I completely forgot to do this yesterday!

Day 10 – We crossed the Arctic Circle again this morning and ‘celebrated’ with a spoon of cod live oil. It was absolutely horrendous and I could taste it all day. I even struggled to eat my tea because I felt to ill. Never again; I’d rather the cold water ceremony over that!! We did get a lovely souvenir spoon; anything for a freebie!

This afternoon we stopped off in Brønnøysund; known as the coastal charm in the middle of Norway. As it was Sunday (and everything closes on a Sunday) it was very quiet but the blue skies and still waters gave us some beautiful reflection photos.

Later that afternoon we sailed past the Torghatten mountain, or the mountain with the hole in the middle! It measures 160 metres (520 ft) long, 35 metres (115 ft) high, and 20 metres (66 ft) wide and was created during the ice ages. It’s pretty amazing when you get lined up properly and see daylight shining through. Luckily we were here during sunset so were treated to some some beautiful pink sky.

Dinner was a celebration of 125 years of Hurtigruten. Unfortunately I think my potato had been fried in cod liver oil and it took everything I had to not vom all over the dinner table 🤢

Day 11 – Our last full day on board. Today has been spent mostly travelling but we were able to have an hour in Trondheim again this morning. I really loved it last time so it was nice to visit again, with a little bit less snow this time. It was also nice to see the hustle and bustle as last time we were here it was a Sunday.

This afternoon we sailed into Kristiansund, also known as ‘the colourful city’. We weren’t able to get off here which is a shame because it looked really pretty. Lots of old and new buildings lined the harbour with plenty of sea birds about.

We’ve managed to get a few games of Scrabble in today. We’ve quite enjoyed our daily ritual of letters, coffee and watching the world go by.

 

The Norwegian adventure begins… Via the National Trust ⛴

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What do you do when you’re 4 hours early for a flight? Find the local trust and have a mooch. Luckily for us there is one just round the corner from Manchester Airport! Quarry bank site is huge so one we will definitely return to, but probably in the summer as it was a little bit dead and crispy today.

So I’m currently sat in out little cabin, or ‘cell’ as I like to call it on my fold out bed and we’ve not long set sail. Luckily dinner tonight was a buffet so I managed to avoid the array of fishy fish. Tomorrow however is when the set menu starts, therefore operation loose a stone also begins.

Yellowstone National Park

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I am beyond sunburnt today! If this place isn’t on your bucket list.. Get it on there right now! The park is 3500 sq miles so you will find so much to see; from the vivid colours of the many pools, the erupting displays of the Geysers and the abundance of wildlife. It is an outdoor lovers paradise (if only it was National Trust!)

On our way into the park we were incredibly lucky to pass an enormous buffalo herd and there was hundreds on them. What a privilege to see these fantastic animals and their calves in their own environment.

We visited the Fountain Paint Pot area, famous for its reds, yellows and browns. The Grand Prismatic Spring famous for being the largest hot spring in the US and the third largest in the world. And finally the area surrounding Old Faithful.

When we arrived at Old Faithful it was a good hour or so before it was due to erupt. I would recommend going to see the Castle Geyser, about a 15 minute walk from OF. You can get so close to it and it erupts for ages, giving you enough chance to get some photos then actually stand back and watch it in all its glory.

We decided to do things a little bit differently with OF and if you’re able to walk uphill over rocks, trees and other obstacles then I would recommend going to the observation point. I’ll admit the walk was a bit of a bitch, the elevation and thin air made me feel like I was about to have a heart attack!! But stick with it as your are rewarded with the most fantastic views. Whilst watching OF I heard some rustling, and just to the side of us was a Coyote, how amazing! He was very obliging and posed for a photo.

As the group we were with wanted to go back to West Yellowstone town centre and we didn’t (typical) we were dropped off at Madison River and began the 5 mile walk back to the hotel. Again we were treated to more gorgeous colours from the river and the mountain backdrop and it was amazing to be outdoors with all the nature.

I shall sleep well tonight!!

TTFN x

SANTA’S SESH 🎅

Had a couple of beers in the Slippery Otter, best beer selection of the holiday. Got to watch a game of football on the TV, what more could you want.