The mood over breakfast was a little sombre as we realised this was the last day of the tour. However, even with gloomy weather, BG tried to keep the mood light. We hit the Deildartunguhver hots springs that bubbled, steamed and smelled sulphury. The water spurts out of the ground at over 100ºC at 180 litres per second. The sound it makes is incredible. We then headed to a stunning waterfall collection – the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss falls. The former are amazing, in that the water comes out of the ground and cascades over a lava-rock ledge. The falls are about a1km long and it unusual to see the power of the water that seems to come from nowhere. The Barnafoss Falls were powering down the river system and the water was a stark white as it foamed and raced through the narrow gorge and under rock arches.

Too cloudy for a Northern Lights display last night – but a lovely moon glow through the clouds

So many Northern Lights last night – mind blowingly brilliant

Our Northern Lights experience was fantastic. 

No Northern Lights last night – though there were faint colours in the cloudy sky

No Northern Lights last night

After a Northern-Lights -free night (hiss boo!), we feasted on a huge breakfast, fuelling up for the adventures ahead. First stop was the ‘sneaker’ Reynisfjara/Black Sands Beach, signposted as such. The towering organ pipe cliffs and caves and the beautiful sea stacks lull the unwary to stray too close to the water’s edge. Strong undertows are known to sweep tourists into the ocean, with fatal results.

Our adventure around Iceland has begun. Our guide, BG, is very entertaining, the tour van is comfortable, (with USB charging and wi-fi!), only 14 in the group and the scenery is spectacular.

What an adventure! Iceland ... we have arrived.