TOKYO
Drivinf down the ring road
A half day is sufficient to see most of Reykjavik; it’s easily navigated on foot. A fabulous new glass fronted cultural centre (the Harpa) has been built on the water’s edge with a comprehensive programme of entertainment (ranging from comedy to classical music). The shops appear to mainly sell woollens and warm clothing.
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Starting the trip
Scheduled flights at civilised times are available, but I selected the low cost option with Iceland Express, the downside being a brutal departure time of 1am from Stansted (just a few tourists, some hardy looking Icelandic natives and the cleaners in the deserted departure lounge). The plane took off in the darkness (and rain) in the middle of the night; but that was the last time that we would see the dark until the return flight a few days later.
Talk about the changing wheather
For those with short memories, June 2012 was not a month of summer in the UK, but 30 days of the heaviest rainfall on record; indeed relentlessly miserable weather which felt more like November. It may have stayed light until late, but it was rarely something to celebrate outdoors.Escaping to the sun for a few days was one option, but the chance to visit a land where every kind of weather condition was a possibility, and where they really know a thing or two about the midnight sun was far more exciting.
