Day 5: Hellisholar to Vik

Arrived at Seljalandsfoss falls in the misty fog.  We donned our wet weather gear ready to walk behind the waterfall.  Here it is from the front, utterly beautiful

This is from the side:

And behind:

Also at the back - loads of amazingly bright lichens (and waterproofs).

I tried to encourage Eve or Leo to write a guest blog paragraph about it, they declined.  Leo did agree to the following quote “it was pretty cool”.

Then back in the van and off to Skogarfoss falls.It was drizzly and freezing.  Some poor couple were having their wedding photos taken with the waterfall in the background.  

The Skogarfoss falls were incredibly powerful, an American woman took this photo of us and weall got totally soaked backs! That is a 203 ft waterfall drop.  

We climbed up to the top observation deck and to further waterfalls beyond.

I went on ahead and walked up to the next falls -which were completely lovely.  Fringe watchers -feel my pain.  

Niche flooring mention for El:  look at these clever metal steps- the plants grow through but onlyto the height of the steps where they get worn away.

There are so many flowers here and most of the paths are roped off so that the flowers either side can thrive.  

We drove down to the coast and up a terrifying mountain road to Dyroholaey, but we were rewarded by a great view of the stone arches and nesting gulls and puffins.

Back down the terrifying winding road to the black basalt beach at Reynisfjara.  It is completely spectacular.  The basalt columns are amazing butthe caves and twisted columns are even more astonishing. 

My new favourite pastime is watching puffins fly into nest.  They fly head first at the vertical cliffs then go vertical and splay out their little feet and wings and splat themselves onto the cliff, regain their composure and pretend that they are completely fine.  Eve managed to get a photo of one sitting nonchalantly amongst the grass.

The beach also has lots of stone stacks (Macca Pacca for those familiar with In The Night Garden)

Right at the end of the beach is a great view of the Rynisdrangur rock stacks, the highest is 66m tall.  

We drove to Vik and I have now got the inevitable photo by the town sign.  Just have to change the spelling of my name by deed poll now. 

We are going to head out to dinner tonight, which will be a treat as the pasta on the camping stove is getting a bit dull, also we are going to be camping wild tomorrow night with minimal facilities so I feel like a bit of luxury is in order.