Hiking on Heimaey

Early start today! After finally getting some sleep we went to brekkie knowing we had a long day ahead. Only to be drinking our coffee to be greeted by a teacher from the annoying school on our corridor complaining - I mean seriously! After all the poor behaviour displayed by them they decided to tell us that our kids were ringing theirs in the night! Now though I am in no doubt this is true the sarcastic and condescending tone was not necessary! Then another asked when we were leaving! The cheek! So I am here with 5 lads doing work as a punishment whilst writing this.

So back to today. We headed out with Ephor our amazing coach driver on our hour long journey to the ferry. The sun was rising over the landscape and the frost was glistering like diamonds. Very beautiful.

We boarded our ferry and off we went. We looked like proper expedition explorers on the top deck with the wind in our hair, massive coats on, snow capped peaks in the background and the Icelandic flag flying. We descended off the ferry and began walking through a small fishing village until we reached steps up to the lava flow. We started to walk towards Eldfell volcano, our guide got a little lost but after finding the hiking trail we were well on our way up the volcano. Now I'm not going to lie it wasn't an easy stroll, it was steep on loose material but well worth the effort. Upon the peak we were totally in a Bear Gryll's moment, walking on a narrow edge, crater on one side and steep slope on hte other, clambering over rocks to get to the hot rocks for lunch.

Sitting on the ground was nice and warm and Gemma buried a Bic Biro in the hot rocks to see if it would melt. Sandwiches eaten it was time to check the pen - half had melted! Totally polluting the landscape but hey ho it impressed the kids. It was a very impressive feat for us and the kids to reach the top.

We then headed to a pool with a trampoline at the end of a chute but we didn't go in this time.

Our final stop on the island was the Surtsey exhibit - a newish island that rose from the sea - it is a UNESCO site so you can't go on the island which is a shame.

We boarded the ferry back and headed back to the hotel. Ephor said on the way back there was a slight chance of seeing the Northern Lights - that would be amazing. We kept an eye on the schedule forecast over tea and then later sent the kids to bed. Just got them settled then about 11pm a teacher from the annoying school came running down the corridor saying he could see them - then following him out ran all the bloody girls. Now there was a faint glimmer but nothing to write home about. Thank you very much! Thankfully ours went back in their rooms sensibly and he got a ticking off from the other teachers for running down our end of the corridor. Finally a good nights sleep.