Leaving Iceland arriving in UK

Blue Lagoon

(Lesley Aug 30) Friday, we experienced the Blue Lagoon in the morning.  The kids expected there would be more than the main big pool because arial views show more pools, and of course there are more pools, but they aren’t all deep enough to swim in and they aren’t all the same temperature; some are cooler some are hotter.  The main big pool was plenty big enough and there were lots of little nooks and crannies you could check out for variety.  There were little bridges and tunnels and a cave.  There were silica face mask stations, a massaging water fall and a steam room/cave.  It was a costly attraction, but one worth doing, none the less.

Later that day, at Keflavik airport, I did manage to sell the detailed road atlas to some international arrivals (much to my family’s embarrassment).  Mhari, bless her, felt I should be more aggressive, Sam, stood far off and didn’t acknowledge me and John suggested I give up when he saw me try and fail.  However, I was determined so I carried on.   When I heard English being spoken, I would step forward, flash the atlas and ask if they intended to rent a car, then, if they wanted to purchase a very useful road atlas for a fraction of its original cost.  A nice Canadian family (from Toronto) bought it for $20 Canadian dollars.  I suggested they resell it again when they leave.  I’m not sure what Keflavik Airport’s policy is on hawkers, but I managed to complete the sale and clear the area before any official asked me to move on or before they tried to lock me up.  It was an exercise in humility.

All in all, Iceland was quite nice to see and I’m really glad we had the chance to stop in.  If I were to go again, however, I would love to stay at least a month and drive around the island, camping and doing lots of hiking. The landscape was so unique.

Then England... Helen and Dave's Place

We landed in London and John’s brother in-law, Dave H, picked us up.  He even upgraded his car for the pick up and we were driven to his place in Long Buckby in a big Volvo!  We have spent three days with John’s sister, Helen, and family relaxing walking and acclimatizing ourselves to England.  The walks have mostly been through farmer’s fields. We have watched hay being cut and have had strange encounters with bullocks and cows, who can be intimidating when it is their turf you try to pass through.  Really, they are probably just curious.  They surrounded us which made us feel a little uneasy.  We clapped our hands and they backed off a little.  Once we gave up: bullocks won, and we went round a bit on the road. We also walked along the canals.  We got to help open the top lock near Buckby for two narrow boats.  We are looking forward to a weekend on one of the barges with another of John’s sisters and family later in September.  The walkways: footpaths, bridal paths and Right of Ways are impressive, as they give people access to the countryside.  I imagine that’s very important when the roads are narrow and the hedges high, as they are here. There aren’t boulevards with walkways along every road and every bit of land here is used up.  The Right of Ways give people access to nature and a nice route or shortcut  to the next village.

Photos: Intimidating Bovines, Hens and a Narrow Boat.

Narrow boats on the canal

Helen and Dave had the whole family round for a picnic Sunday, so we got to see everyone; even a new spouse (Henry) who Sam and I hadn’t had occasion to meet yet.  We have washed a load of laundry, and eaten them completely out of food.  Actually no, they were well stocked.  In their garden, we learned to trim the ivy from the tree trunks.  I really enjoyed that.  I was reminded that I have always liked sawing.  We had to saw the big vines off the trunks leaving a space of about a meter between the vines already gone up the tree and any growth at the bottom.  That way the ivy will die and fall off. It was a fun job. 

Tuesday, we move on to another of John’s siblings.  I think we are being passed around so that we don’t burn out any one of the generous siblings.  John hasn’t added anything to the blog, yet.  He’s so busy catching up with family that it might be awhile before he adds anything, so you will have to suffer with my ramblings or check Sam or Mhari’s blogs for the good stuff.  Bye, Lesley