Apologies for the late delivery of the July blog.

I started off the month with a Ramblers’ walk – not too long, not too hot – and a welcome, cool breeze.

We started to consider what we needed to do prior to joining our cruise to Iceland. I visited the Post Office to collect the Icelandic currency we had ordered. Annabel spent a lot of the day packing. We met up with Tom, Tara and children for a pub lunch.

Iceland, here we come! On our way to Liverpool, we stopped at Brockhole Country Park to have lunch. Once we’d reached Liverpool, we drove to a carpark, left our cases for collection and took the coach to the ship –  Fred Olsen’s “Bolette”. The organisation was truly impressive: it was good to board without problems.

The boat left for Iceland at 5 p.m. But then came disappointment – my camera played up. Although I was disappointed, I knew I could take photos with my phone. Luckily, it turned out to be a glitch. In my diary I wrote that I’d gone for a walk on deck. (He actually went down to our cabin and got lost.) Annabel alerted Guest Services. In the meantime, I walked back to our cabin, where I was ‘rescued’ by Guest Services.

 On our first full day at sea, we woke up to fog and rain. Annabel was highly amused that when I was sitting up in bed I managed to turn different lights on whenever I moved. It kept me amused. But we missed the tannoy announcement that the clocks had gone forward. Luckily, we worked it out and didn’t miss breakfast. We decided to attend a lecture about wildlife in Iceland. Later, we went out to watch for wildlife but hardly saw a thing. Later we watched a comedian and a magician but they were not all that good.

 The weather continued to be unpleasant. We discovered that people at the photographic desk were able to give photographic advice, and this sorted out the problem I’d had with my camera. Phew! 

Excursion to the Golden Circle

The Amannagja Gorge where the American and Eurasian plates meet.

Gullfoss waterfall

Strokkur Geyser The next day we had an excursion on the Snaefell Peninsular, particularly along the coast passing fishing villages. There were some staggering views along the coast– spectacular scenery, various waterfalls, peaks and sky

Arnarstapi’s dramatic basalt cliffs

Arnarstapi harbour

Djupalonssandur’s black pebble beach

We enjoyed a pleasant evening chatting with three couples, especially with a young pair Ron and Andrea who insisted on buying Annabel a Baby Guiness. I stuck to my pale ale.

Annabel had a session in  the swimming pool and hot tub – on her own I hope!. Later, we joined a table for a quiz and discovered that someone lived in Penrith and had also lived in Temple Sowerby – it’s a small world.

The next day was spent cruising the Western Fjords. Out on deck in a strong wind, we watched birds, fjords and steep cliffs. That evening, Annabel watched the football while I listened to a guitarist . We didn’t get to bed until after midnight.

The next expedition from Akureyri was to the Gooafoss Falls.

After a leisurely breakfast and preparation for our next expedition from Husavik, we went ashore on tender boats. We met Dorothy and Doreen who I entertained, generally by being rude to them. They asked me to mention them in my blog! Annabel did warn them. The weather wasn’t all that good – rain and strong winds. Firstly we were challenged with bubbling mud steaming from volcanic chimneys. There were amazing rock formations and  debris from nearby volcanoes. At Myvatn Lake, it was blowing a hooley, as they say in Cumbria! Old craters were formed in the lake.

Lava fields of different colours from black to orange.

Pseudo craters formed from bubbling cauldrons.

We made a repeat visit to The Gooafoss waterfall and spotted a Golden Plover.

That evening we joined Ron and Andrea again, we got on well with them.

The boat was full of art works.

On our last day in Iceland it was warm, sunny weather. We walked into Seydisfjordur for coffee.

After lunch we went on a waterfall hike. It was a beautiful valley with tumbling streams.

On our return journey we had another warm day. We sat on deck and Annabel went in the outdoor pool. Many dolphins passed the boat, so we kept jumping up to watch them.

On the  last day we had an early breakfast (and were the very last passengers still on board).  A minibus drove us to the carpark where the car was parked ten days ago.  We’d had a very good holiday. We can no longer do the holidays that we’ve done in the past. It’s a cruise ship for future holidays.

 Midnight appeared much later on in the day. Apart from being decidely skinny, she seemed OK.  Annabel returned to her garden, which looked like it needed some attention. Bob, a near neighbour, held a memorial celebration for his wife. Along with many others, we enjoyed spending time in his large, well-manicured, garden. We later had afternoon tea in the village hall.

We celebrated April’s birthday. 14! Where did the time go?  We had only two meals today – possibly due to the heat. We’ve noticed that the temperature in Cumbria is more comfortable for us than it is further south of Britain and in Europe.

On the 20^th of the month I set off to the gym in Appleby but on the A66 I was stuck in a huge jam. I couldn’t move for several hours. Eventually, I was able to turn around to get back home. That afternoon, I enjoyed a good session in the gym. At home in the garden I tripped over the cat, hurt my foot and bashed my head on the pavement. Annabel wasn’t at home but Alison and Roy, across the green, realised I was in trouble and sat with me in the garden until Annabel came home from swimming in Askham. We then visited Penrith A&E where I had my head glued.

The next day I went to hospital for four hours and was provided with a huge boot as I’d broken a metatarsel.

Annabel went out with the Supper Club for a fish and chips cruise on Ullswater. I went to Tom’s for tea and back at home, Tom helped me to navigate the garden steps and the porch door. Later, quite a few people enquired on how I was coping.

Cooper has been working on his 3D printer. He built a ‘fidget’ for Annabel and took orders from several people. Pleasantly entrepreneurial.

Stephenson’s fruit and veg shop in Appleby has lost some of our favourite staff. It’s not quite as entertaining as before.

I decided – with Annabel’s permission – to walk a small circuit around the green with my trekking pole and managed to stay upright. I chatted with Karen and had a good laugh.

I’m finding it difficult walking with my big boot. I don’t feel any improvement so far. By the way, I don’t wear it in bed! I showed Jenny – another good neighbour – my photos of Aberaeron and district. We went to the Mill Yard café for lunch with her.

Stephen Knowles dropped in on his way back from his niece’s wedding. We had a very pleasant lunch at Larch Cottage and Stephen was fascinated by the garden centre. Sam informed us that Christine, his mother-in law, was in hospital for palliative care. She had not been well for some time.

The porch is a comfortable place to sit. I walked down to the main road and posted a letter. On the way back I was pleased to see Kath was back in her home, having spent quite a long time in hospital. The Sainsbury’s van didn’t appear at the allotted time. Annabel phoned but it took a while to receive the delivery. When the van did eventually appear, the driver was very helpful and carried the boxes upstairs for us. One benefit from having the dreaded boot!

In the early evening, we walked to the pub and met Tom and Tara and the children for dinner before Annabel went off to Gin Tasting! As usual, I teased Tara a little (a lot!! AH). We heard that Zoe’s mother had died. Her father had died quite some time ago. Luckily, Sam will support her as much as she needs.

Garden at home

And finally, more photos can be viewed on mikehollis.org.uk