Gullfoss+&+Geysir

=GULLFOSS AND GEYSIR= You can never get enough waterfalls so first thing in the morning we headed for the picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall that has a unique walking path behind the cascade. Wearing our plastic shower jackets we took the plunge, although Gail baulked at walking behind it due to the very icy and therefore slippery rocky path leaving it to me to venture on alone. With much rope grabbing and the occasional slide I managed to do the loop – it was great! Very noisy behind the falls but not at all wet (until you passed along the side with the wind whipping it into your frozen face etc) Still not over waterfalls we then aimed for Gullfoss, a great white glacial cascade which drops 32 meters into a 70-metre deep canyon. Gullfoss is generally considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island and has been called Iceland‘s star attraction – and finally, after 12 days of being almost alone, we ran into buses and some crowds. Not masses but it seemed unusual after being the only ones at most spots until now. I imagine this waterfall would be absolutely thunderous when the snow melts in springtime but we appreciated it as it was – partially icebound. Nearby is the geothermal area of Haukadalur where the Great Geysir—the original Geyser hot spring—or its ever-reliable counterpart, Strokkur, erupt; Strokkur erupts roughly every 8 minutes whereas Geysir only puts on a show following certain volcanic events. The area is covered with steam holes and bubbling water pools with warnings not to stick your hands etc in as the temperature is 80 – 100C. We stopped by at Kerið - a volcanic crate r lake approximately 3000 years old and is composed of a red (rather than black) volcanic rock The caldera itself is approximately 55 m deep, 170 m wide, and 270 m across.  Tonight might be our last chance of catching the Northern Lights again and we’re hopeful. Our bedroom has floor to ceiling windows facing the right direction and the forecast is for a strong showing – all we need is for the clouds to stay away! We even have a hot tub below our room in which we could sit and gaze if we felt so inclined (sounds great – its just getting into and out of the tub that’s a killer). There’s steam rising from the ground all around the hotel – this is a pretty “hot” spot!
 * [[image:IMG_3448.jpg]] || [[image:IMG_3463.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:IMG_3465.jpg caption="view from behind the falls"]] || [[image:IMG_3474.jpg caption="The spray off the falls turned to ice whereever it landed"]] ||
 * [[image:IMG_3497.jpg caption="Gullfoss - what's not water is ice!"]] || [[image:IMG_3500.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:IMG_3509.jpg caption="hot pools of water and steam were everywhere"]] || [[image:IMG_3533.jpg caption="Gail warming her hands by a steam pool"]] ||
 * [[image:IMG_3535.jpg]] || [[image:IMG_3538.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:IMG_3558.jpg caption="Kerið crater"]] || [[image:IMG_3478_2.jpg caption="typical Icelandic farmhouse setting"]] ||

and ... they came! have a look here: the return of the LIGHTS