Cruise to Iceland - Basingstoke - 20th July 2023 Thursday

Steph drove us to Oakley's woods near where they stay and we had a lovely walk with the dogs.

Beautiful Ruby cross labrador, cocker spaniel

Charlie, a gorgeous labrador

Julie kindly fetched us from Trevor and Steph and drove us in her convertible all the way to Heathrow. 

Warned about the wind in my hair myth I tied it up and arrived at Heathrow with dreadlocks 😁 travelling all the way to Cape Town unable to get a comb through my hair.

Waiting to board flight to Doha

Cruise to Iceland - Basingstoke - 19th July 2023 Wednesday

Lovely evening at the local pub Barley Mow. 'Here is good health to half pint, good health to Barley Mow' burgers and lots of alcohol , we had a great time. Thank you Trevor and Steph for having us. We loved seeing your wedding video and your beautiful home.

We left the boat at 9:15 and boarded the coach to Victoria station had a coffee and then boarded another coach to Basingstoke.

we got to the station and Trevor and Steph were kindly waiting to pick us up.

Cruise to Iceland - at sea - 18th July 2023 Tuesday

The ladies and gentlemen that make up the singers and dancers that perform in different shows for our nightly entertainment. They were superb, better than many shows we have seen on past cruises.

The buffet has changed in that every plate is behind counters that have glass fronts and you are served by someone behind the glass. Made a lot of sense to me as it reduces wastage. Much less food seems to be left on plates.

Today we started with breakfast, pilates, gym and finally salsa dancing. We listen to a lecture on superstition and myths around Iceland and to the choir that was made up of guests. Beautiful voices and a lovely performance.

Great dinner with our great dinner companions. Every night we had great conversations, we spoke about everything and tried to put the world to rights.

Ambassador is a cruise line that protects sealife, large mammals and whales in particular. They are part of ORCA an organisation that does a great amount of work to make people aware of the plight of these beautiful mammals.

Great cruise, our bags are outside and we are going to take the coach back to Victoria station and catch another coach to Basingstoke. Hopefully have dinner with Trevor and Steph, stay with them for the night and continue onto South Africa the following day

Ambassador expresso martini.

Cruise to Iceland - Invergordon, Scotland- 17th July 2023, Monday

We arrived in Invergordon and boarded a coach to Urquhart Castle and Inverness. After 1.25hrs we arrived at Loch Ness. Watched a video in which they showed Urquhart castle's history.

Fifty minutes was not enough time to explore the castle area, we needed at least another two hours.

Back on the coach we drove to Inverness, a beautiful town. Michael and I had been once before. Had ended up at the Pringle shop. This time I explored Leakys bookshop, the largest second hand bookshop in the world while Michael went looking for presents.

Back from Inverness we left the bus and walked into Invergordon. A small town, I explored the murals and the Museum while Michael had a haircut. 

Finally we got dressed for our last formal evening and had a great time at dinner celebrating the baked Alaska traditional parade and then a great show by the Ambassador singers and dancers on some of the greatest musicals such as Les Mis, Miss Saigon, Westside Story and others.

Cruise to Iceland - at sea - 16th July 2023 Sunday

Having passed the northern most point we are now heading back down towards Scotland. We were supposed to stop at John o'Groats but due to bad weather we will be moving onto Invergordon for Inverness. We have been there before so instead, we are going to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. Really looking forward to tomorrow.

Michael's breakfast usually starts with various cheeses, salmon and ham with onion and pickles and then an omelette. I don't know when last he has had coffee and mostly drinks black tea and sometimes a vitamin drink that includes various berries, carrot and orange. Usually I have mixed fruits, plain yogurt with prunes and sometimes salmon, cottage cheese and onion.

Food is of the highest quality, all of our meals have been tasty and there is always a great variety of dish choices.

On this sea day I did yoga, then later on low impact interval training and in the afternoon some form of gym. Stationary rowing or step machine or treadmill. Lots of fun or rather exhausting.

I have managed to swim 10 lengths most days in the freezing cold pool, all except 2 days where I ran out of time as dinner is at 17:45. The body can get used to anything. After a good workout, there is nothing better than jumping into freezing cold water. Feels like your body is burning but gets rid of all the aches and pains from the other types of exercise.

Tea time is deadly with every type of biscuit, scone, toasted sandwich and desserts one can imagine. Sea days are the worse for eating as a captive audience, we look for ways to entertain ourselves and there is no two better ways to pass the time - exercising or eating.

Cruise to Iceland - Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - 15th July 2023 Saturday

I asked ChatGpt what to do in Seyðisfjörður. It replied, a picturesque town in Iceland, can be a delightful experience. While the town itself is small, there are several activities and sights you can enjoy during a four-hour walk. Here are some suggestions:

1. Stroll through the town: Take your time to explore Seyðisfjörður on foot. Wander through its charming streets, lined with colorful wooden houses. Enjoy the serene atmosphere and take in the stunning natural surroundings.

2. Visit the Skaftfell Cultural Center: This center is an important hub for contemporary art in East Iceland. It houses art exhibitions, hosts events, and offers workshops. Take a look inside and appreciate the local art scene.

3. Discover the Tvisongur Sound Sculpture: Located on a hillside overlooking Seyðisfjörður, the Tvisongur Sound Sculpture is a unique musical installation. It consists of five interconnected concrete domes, each with a different resonance. Explore the area and experiment with the sounds produced by the sculpture.

4. Hike to the waterfalls: Seyðisfjörður is surrounded by beautiful mountains and waterfalls. Consider embarking on a short hike to reach one of the nearby waterfalls, such as Gufufoss or Fardagafoss. Enjoy the scenic views and the sound of cascading water.

5. Enjoy local cuisine: Make a stop at one of the town's cafes or restaurants to sample some local Icelandic cuisine. Try traditional dishes like lamb soup, fish stew, or Icelandic fish and chips. Treat yourself to a cup of Icelandic coffee or indulge in a sweet pastry.

Noone to serve us unfortunately, all the pastries and coffee aroma permeated the surrounds, but each time we stopped at a Coffee Shop they were so full (or not open) that we left before the server got to us.

6. Explore the Blue Church: Seyðisfjörður is known for its iconic blue church, which stands out amidst the colorful buildings. Take a moment to visit the church and admire its architecture. If there happens to be an ongoing service, you might even experience the local culture firsthand.

7. Take in the fjord views: Seyðisfjörður is situated at the head of a stunning fjord. Take advantage of your walk to enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the tranquil waters of the fjord. Find a spot to sit and relax, soaking in the natural beauty.

Remember to dress appropriately for the weather conditions, wear comfortable shoes, and bring some water and snacks for the walk. Enjoy your time exploring Seyðisfjörður!

Snorkelling Silfra 12th July 2023 Wednesday

Had to write a second post now that I have the pictures of snorkelling in Silfra. Certainly one of the highlights of our holiday, jumping into the crater between the two tectonic plates.

Silfra is a renowned snorkeling destination in Þingvellir National Park, Iceland. It offers exceptional visibility and stunning underwater landscapes. We explored fissures and canyons, wearing drysuits to stay warm in the 2 degree cold water. We took the guided tour that provided an unforgettable adventure in Iceland's pristine underwater world.

Cruise to Iceland - Akureyri, Iceland - 14th July 2023 Friday

Gym first, then breakfast and then the most amazing excursion to GeoSea Baths & Godafoss Waterfall. The baths were salted, heated pools, full of minerals, very good for the skin. Great experience in freezing temperatures.

We stayed in the baths around 1.5 hours and back on the bus, travelled to the waterfall where apparently around the year 1000 the chieftain of the area renounced the pagan gods by throwing their idols into the waterfall and became a Christian.