Our Trip To Iceland

We finally made it to Iceland after postponing the trip for a year due to COVID, and a last-minute detour to Manchester airport for our early morning flight.

We arrived weary but excited on a beautifully sunny afternoon at Úlfljótsvatn Scout Centre, it was a bit of a shock to be swarmed by midges and we quickly purchased fly nets before we could put up our tents.

Our site was right next to one of Iceland’s coldest lakes, swimming was not advised but that didn’t stop the scouts wading up to their knees in the freezing waters, or risking falling in the icy waters while navigating the obstacle course. Kayaking on the lake was so peaceful and we were lucky to have a still and calm day for it as the weather in Iceland is unpredictable and constantly changing.

During our stay we relaxed in the thermal spring waters of the secret lagoon where the water temperature is a constant 38-40*C, hotter than most of our baths. We were amazed by the spectacular landscape and natural wonders of the bubbling thermal springs and Geysers on a tour of the Golden Circle. Our fabulous tour guide, Hershey (not his real name we couldn’t pronounce that!) was both passionate and knowledgeable about Iceland, although some of his stories may have strayed from the truth….

Unfortunately our glacier hike was cancelled due to poor weather, so our plans changed to a tour of the south, taking in some incredible waterfalls and the Black beach. It rained all day, and we were all wetter than we have ever been before as we hopped on and off the coach. Our coach driver made an unplanned stop at the Lava centre, an amazing interactive and high-tech exhibition looking at the volcanic activity and earthquakes that have created Iceland, a fascinating place that is also a monitoring centre for surveying volcanic activity.

We shopped in Reykjavik then headed for the harbour for whale spotting in the bay of Faxaflói on board our boat, Andrea. We were so excited to spot several whales and were charmed by the delightful little puffins.
All too soon it was time to leave, we needed to get up at three in the morning to strike camp and get ready for the coach to take us to the airport, its not so easy to convince scouts to sleep while its still light, during the summer months Iceland remains in daylight for most of the time.

It was a trip of a lifetime we made new friends and lasting memories.

Well done to an amazing team of leaders and a brilliant bunch of Scouts that made this trip so perfect.