Iceland again

Iceland surprised us--I didn't expect it to be so lush. Wildflowers now were incredible, the biggest Lupine I have ever seen. The rugged landscape has a stark beauty all its own, showing off its volcanic origins

Hot springs and soaking in natural geothermal pools seems to be a national pass time. Well, the tourists love them for sure. This one pours into the ocean. They have built several catch pools that are different temperatures depending on how close to the hot water source. It's 50 mins out of Reykjavik and called Hvammsvik.

I was nervous about renting a c ar but Will talked me into it and so glad as we found lots of sights. Google Maps works great here and we relyed on it.  Here is a national park where two tectonic plates are visible as facing cliffs slowly moving away from each other at a rate of just centimeters a year

Biggest waterfall in Iceland

Geothermal areas common. That's why so many hot springs. Geysers erupting here every few minutes.

Icelanders love their horses. Suppose to be purest bread in the world.  Expected to see sheep, and we did, but these small, sturdy Icelandic horses noted for their unusual gait are just as plentiful 

Red Throated Loon. Birding here amazing, especially sea birds. We took a boat tour to see nesting Puffins.

 Unfortunately 3 days in Iceland and start the long trip home. 8 hour flight from Reykjavik to Denver, then a 4 hour drive back to the RV waiting for us in South Fork.

from England to Iceland

Will got his English "Brekkie" and enjoyed every last bite. . .but then it was time to sadly say farewell to Stewart and Sheila and head for the airport. It was so wonderful to spend this time with you, thanks for your lovely hospitality! Miss you guys already!!

  A quick three hour flight found us in Reykjavik, Iceland for a three night adventure. It was unseasonally hot in the UK, but here it rained everyday!! Didn't stop us from really enjoying it all--between the rains and the drizzle and short bursts of sun we packed it in.

stayed at a guest house in heart of the city practically across the street from the Hallgrimskirk. The church is among city's tallest buildings and can be seen from all over the city. Named after the Islandic poet and clergyman Hallgrimur Petursson.

concert hall

London and Kent

A train from Kent into London at Victoria station for a hop-on-hop-off experience to "do London in a day." Didn't quite work out that way, traffic congestion, crowds of tourists, and getting on the wrong bus!! made it all complicated!!  So we ended up walking our legs off--which is the best anyway!  Buckingham Palace, picnic lunch in St James Park. . .

Westminster Abbey. . .

 

Bells at Big Ben. . .

Great fun was Harrods and the famous food halls!!

Most fun was exploring the neighborhood around the Grainger's home in Kent! Out for a walk and discovered an old grainery and "Oast House" converted into a modern home. These Oast Houses are iconic to Kent. "Back in the day", they were used to store and dry hops for the brew industry.

Another lovely old cottage. They are so charming.

Enjoying England

Sheila picked us up at London Gatwick airport for a delightful 5 days at their lovely home in Meopham, Kent. We were shocked to realize it has been over 7 years since we connected with these dear friends. Lots of catching up, laughing, tea, amazing English home cooked meals, sharing news of kids and grandkids, long walks to explore the neighborhood. . .and so much more

We got to go to a "Church Fete " ( fair to support the local church) with food stalls, raffles, jumble sales, and entertainment.

And Cream Teas!!!!  Scone, jam, and clotted cream. Nothing tastes like England like a Cream Tea!

Got introduced to a "Park Run" and finished the 5k run (well, we walked instead of running) along with some 300 people who show up every Saturday. We didn't know about it--but is an international endeavor that brings people out to local park/track for exercise and commraderie. Sheila has completed 186 Park Runs here where she lives and also in Australia and Isle of Mann where her girls live. We researched and found out there are two Park Runs in Tucson!! Who knew?!

Got to celebrate with Stewart his 89th birthday at the Hilltop Restaurant with a "Sunday Roast." It's a 3 course English traditional Sunday meal. 

Their local church that dates back a thousand years. Lots of renovations and maintenance over the years but still the "original" church. They can actually trace their Vicors back to 1328. 

last day in Zurich

Zurich

A statue to honor the Zwingli, one of the influencial men of the Reformation. A contemporary of Martin Luther in Germany, John Calvin in Geneva, Zwingli was instrumental in Bibles being printed in common language so that not only the clergy could know it.

Marc Chigal did the windows in the Fraumunster Church in the 1960's. This is the second church that we visited that has Chigal windows. Amazing how his so modernist style works with middle ages architecture.

 

Apparently water in Zurich so clean that locals fill their water bottles at the cities many fountains! Great cold water!

Gas prices in Zurich. Priced in Swiss Francs per liter -- works out to equivalent of over $7 a gallon, US!  Cost of living in Zurich one of highest of any city in the world. 

Gellato to die for.

Will stood in line for 30 minutes to get this sausage, bread and fries at a very busy  Sausage kiosk. Called Sternen Grill, the place you be in Zurich!

Visited a museum which is the last project by LeCorbusier, a French/Swiss archetect, artist and writer who died in 1967. Now a museum dedicated to his works and architecture. All glass and steel, bright colors.

by LeCorbusier 

On the way to Zurich

Toured our way to Zurich. Started with a boat ride on the Lake (looking back at our Bergenstock Hotel on top the hill. Another funicular ride to lake shore to catch the boat.

crossed the lake, caught another cog railway that took us to the summit of Rigi mountain for 360 views of area and Swiss Alps in the distance

Summit

field of wildflowers with Misty mountains.

Dowm other side where our motor coach picked us up for another hour ride to Zurich.

Opra House in Zurich 

Rivella--a local drink made from whey left from cheese processing. Not exported--only buy in Switzerland. Sparkling and refreshing!! I'd but it again!

Traditional Swiss dishes--veal in mushroom gravy, rosti potatoes, "sausage salad" as a main dish

Our boutique hotel in Zurich