We have been buffeted by strong winds overnight and the weather forecast for today has convinced our driver Viggi and Ian that we should adopt plan B. It is disappointing that we won’t be going east to Solheimajokull and Vik ,the black beach and, ofcourse, the waterfalls, but we respect everyones concern for our safety and are happy to fall in with the new plans.
Heading west, we leave the volcanic dust storms and gusts of 90 miles per hour behind. Our driver heard on the radio various incidents of caravans being toppled and windscreens blown out of coaches which had ventured east against advice.
After a brief stop at a waterfall which may soon be lost to an HEP project, we headed for Hveragerdi, the greenhouse town and the locus of the earthquake in 2008 (our last visit!) We headed up to the back of the town to see the fissures and mud puddles and smell the brimstone! 
On our way back down, Ian managed to fix up a visit to the university greenhouses where we were plunged into equatorial temperatures, surrounded by banana trees and coffee bushes – surreal or what! 
We continued our journey down into the town through the wind and rain to the bakers shop, where we all had a soft drink or coffee and sampled some of the delicious pastries and cakes on offer. Fortified, we got back on the bus and headed for Reykjavik. First stop there was at Hallsgrimkirke and straight up the bell tower for the fantastic panoramic view of the city. 
Then we were driven to the fisherman’s wharf to find a sheltered spot for lunch – what a culture shock to be back in a city with traffic, people and built environment after the remote wilderness of Landmannalaugar. Some retail therapy was then necessary before we made our way the the fantastic town hall and to meet up with Viggi, our driver. Time for a swim at a local pool on the outskirts of the city – free to all teenagers in the summer - how enlightened!
Ian and Viggi had been planning a little something to end our trip and there was much anticipation but no clues were given. We headed back east towards Husid and soon there was little sound of chat – in the warmth of the bus, after a swim – sleep caught up with most people until my flash disturbed them! I have the photos! Most were awake in time to note we had missed the turn off for Husid and were heading east. The wind was down and the rain was abating but we were going to get wet! We were headed for Seljalandfoss waterfall. Wearily, the group climbed from the coach and then they perked up when above the waterfall, as the skies cleared, they got their first glimpse of Ejyafyallajokull! Wow! Wow’s were now heard in abundance as we walked towards the waterfall and the scale of it became apparent. Then as we headed up the side of the waterfall and 
started the traverse behind the waterfall, wow’s gave way to great big smiles – it was wet but so what! Many, many photos later we passed behind the waterfall and descended back to the coach. The perfect end to a perfect week in Iceland? – yes, but not quite all over yet!
We headed back to Husid via Stora Dimon, stopping briefly at the Markerflot to see the glacial meltwater and the clever engineering schemes which had coped so well with the jokullaup when the volcano erupted in April. We continued on towards the junction with the Flothild valley road and looked back to see clearly, for the first time all week, Eyafallajokull. WOW! There was a little puff of white cloud or was it steam sitting just on top – as we watched we saw it grow and spread and be replaced withe more steam from the volcanically heated meltwater lake. 
Triple wow, cameras whirring – a spectacular finish to the day! Ian talked to the group about his experiences of being in the valley during the eruption and some of the group recounted their experiences of being trapped abroad by the dust clouds over Europe – some with family, others on their own! Each had been profoundly affected by the experience and now share a greater understanding of how events in one corner of the globe send ripples right around the Earth.
Back at Husid, there were 20 minutes of frantic activity to prepare for the last events of the day, before dinner. There were two birthday presents to wrap, two birthday meringues to fill and decorate with candles, one pianist to persuade and hooters to distribute to everyone. As always, everyone joined in the fun and helped to celebrate the birthdays and of course to thank our hosts, Samuel, Sarah and Jacob for their tremendous hospitality. Our Head Boy carried out his first duty in office by giving a vote of thanks to Ian, our guide, for his exceptional knowledge and interest in Iceland which made our trip so special.
“Samuel makes the best bread I have ever tasted. The landscape is amazing and the geothermal pools are awesome!” – Christine
“Iceland is amazing -the best place I have ever been. the Blue Lagoon was AMAZING, the lava fields so cool and the fissures are pretty cool but the landscape is the best of all” – Chantelle
“These waterfalls, lava flows and phenomenal landscapes are out of this world! – Jade ‘n Emma
The last word has to go to Nicole
“Everything in Iceland is summed up in one word – WOW!
so we are off to Keflavik and our flight at 8 am. It is, of course, daylight because at this time of the year the sun never sets.
