The Epsom Derby June 7th 2008

Today Thomas and I had our annual 'Jolly Boys Outing' to Epsom Racecourse to watch the Derby. Thomas being Thomas was not for relaxing, so we got there pretty early to watch some of the earlier races. . .

usually we park ourselves with everyone else on Tattenham Corner, but this year we decided to go and watch the start.... it was a bit of a trek, but we had a lovely view when we got there. Now you are going to have to believe me on this one, but the Queen is actually in this photograph... she just about makes up a pixel of pink!!

Like I said, we got there quite early, and I have to say it wasn't exactly a hive of activity at this point!

The starter was looking pretty happy!

The jockey on horse number 13 Frankie Dettori was looking pretty relaxed.. I think he knew he was not on a good enough horse to win again this year. . . . He was the person the crowd at the start were most interested in by far though!!
This horse is New Approach, the last one to arrive at the start, but luckily for the Princess of Jordan who owns him, he was first back to the finish line, and declared the winner of the 2008 Derby!!

He wasn't entirely happy at the start, and in fact would only go t the start with his best friend this rather cute pony... apparantly it's called being 'ponied' to the start... educational my blog eh???

But eventually there was a hive of activity and they were under starter's orders.....

and they're off . . . Only one mile and four furlongs to go. . . I took us almost an hour to get back to Tattenham Corner.. it took them about 90 seconds!

Solheimajokull Glacier

I decided to try this one out in black & white, and was quite impressed with the results. I love all the crevices and fissures, and also the triangle bits that look like dragon's back!!

Damsel (in distress) fly

Four go wild in Iceland

On 15th December 2007 I reached that difficult milestone, my fortieth birthday. As part of my present some money towards a holiday was very kindly given to me by Margaret and I put this towards a family holiday in Iceland.

Last Monday we finally arrived in this strange yet magnificent country. From the sublime scenery to the ridiculous (eggy smelling water and geysirs!?!) it was a week I will never forget. As ever I was armed with my camera, and tried to cover the week as best as I could. As ever the results are never as good as I hoped they woud be.

The first couple of pictures are of the VestmannaeyjarIslands some kilometres off the South coast of Iceland. As we left Vik, they were shrouded in mist and looked fantastic. The second picture shows the water running of the glacier and heading for sea with the Vestmannaeyjar in the background.

On our last evening we all went to the Blue Lagoon and lazed around in the warm water there, scrubbing our faces with the silicone in the water, although my hair has yet to recover my face still feels as smooth as the proverbial baby's bottom!

Tuesday morning found us at Geysir, watching Strokkur erupt every five minutes or so. The air was thinck with spray from various geothermic activity. . . .

Thingvellir plain is situated on the boundaries of two tectonic plates. Europe and North America are desperately tearing apart 2mm each year. This is the largest and most dramatic of the rifts and fissures there. Just 2 hours after visiting this site, the area suffered an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale. I am trying not to take it personally!

Thingvallavatn is Iceland's largest lake, and helps make this area one of outstanding beauty as well as importance. It was here in 930 that the Vikings established Iceland's forst Parliamnet the Althing.The first night we stayed in Hotel Hekla, at the foot of this live Volcano; Mount Hekla. The volcano is due to erupt anytime in the next couple of years, so I was slightly relieved to pass by unscathed.
and no, this was not our hotel. However I wonder if this building is still standing after the earthquake? It was pretty near the epicentre.All through Iceland we came accross these rivers, full of water running of the Glaciers. When you collected water from them, the water was always crystal clear and absolutely FREEZING!

Everywhere we went there were fields and fields of dandelions. They grew on every verge. They were not the weedy things we get in the UK, but rather strong, vivid yellow perfumed flowers.
There were dogsledding trips on the Myrdalsjokull glacier, which was yet another trip we managed not to get onto... However we did get to meet the huskies... Such cuties. . . .


This just has to be one of the best placenames in the whole of Europe, never mind Iceland!!

Solheimajokull Glacier

This glacier unfurls from the Myrdalsjokull glacier. Underneath the live volcano Katla is snoozing restlessly. She is due to erupt again in 2010. This makes all the rock and sand caught up in the glacier black, and an arresting sight. I will never forget my first view of a glacier, totally awe-inspiring.

This first photgraph was taken from the carpark.......

This was the furthest we dared climb. The glacier was melting at what loked like an alarming rate, although I was assured by people who work on the glacier that it is not melting particularly fast. This little cave really sparkled and was so vivid. Just looking at the phot reminds me of the cold, the noise, the smell and everything. It was an awesome experience. . . .This is the road down from the glacier. . . . I thnk a 4WD would have been easier, but we and the car all survived! Just!

and the view taken on the way down!!
and just to prove it, here is our trusty Liana. Note the roads, totally empty behind. At times we drove for over 5 minutes without sight of another car!

Waterfalls in Iceland May 2008

Gulfoss Waterfall

This is Iceland's most famous waterfall, and incredibly impressive, even on a fairly gloomy day. It initially drops 32metres, doglegs a bit and then plunges down a ravine. The spray soaked us as we walked alongside it, but it was easily a price worth paying. It is however very difficult to photograph.. well that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!!!

These are the walls of the ravine that the waterfall drops into.. I love the rock formation. . .
Skogafoss Waterfall

This waterfall falls 62metres just outside the small village of Skogar. Because of the mist and rainbows at the foot of the waterfall Legend has it that an early settler hid a chest of gold behind the waterfall. Broke I maybe, but the waterfall was waaaaay to powerful for me to be clambering through. . . . .