Islands Born and that Volcanic Ash still is there

On Monday morning , it was my one and only chance to get to Vestermaijyer. Everyone knows of these islands so I am sure I don't need to explain their importance.........
These islands are about 100km off the mainland and are in line with the volcano that is still growing... and with Katla...... in fact, there is a direct line here of volcanic activity and it is all situated on the Icelandic Rift... where two continents are moving ...... same as Rift Valley....
I was supposed to leave at 8.15, but due to the volcanic ash blowing again... an update woud be announced at 8.15. Well, I wasn't going to miss out, If the plane f;ew at 8.20, I would be there so caught a cab before 8 . Fortunately the plane flew at 9.15.

What a sight as we approached the island !
The isalnd seemed to be a tiny collection of craters... will put the pics up and that way you can actually see what it was like.
Turns out, that I was the only one booked on this llittle trip so, modified it a bit but suited me.... personal guided tour..... until two german men joined us. They make documentaries and advertising material for world tours etc, and theye were in Vestman Islands to make one there................ so the trip had them.......... and had to star as one does.

Anyway, it was fascinating ot hear the stories of the eruptions that made the island... last one was 1973, when 400 houses were buried and the harbour almost destroyed due to the volcanic eruption..

I walked up the volcano, over the lava fields... and stood gazing down upon the town..... and imagined the fear that night when suddenly the earth developed a fissure, 2km long and spewing hot rocks and fire, it began its reign of terror.....
Ten years earlier Surtsey had risen from the sea... I could see her in the distance, in a direct line with all the other volcanic islands that had risen on the rift.....................
I heard the stories of the survivors... it is a tough life on such an island

I stood on huge cliffs, seeking the puffins..... those funny faced birds that migrate for winter and spend their time floating on the sea..... bizzare birdies.....

Iwas awed, by the power of the earth and by the calibre of person who would return to this place, to rebuild, never knowing when it would happen again and whether next time, the whole island could be blown up.
Standing on the cliffs, my fear of heights came full blown and I felt as if I would fall right off..... so I stepped way away form them. The filming men, wanted repeat actions often..... walk there again, and again............... I should have been paid!
Walking on a volcano isn't much fun... beside there still being hot rocks, the actual volcano is a huge spewed out pile of miniature scoria rocks.... very difficult to walk on, believe me......
Then the volcanic ash started again........
So my flight off the island was cancelled............................
BUT..... there is a ferry.... so 3 hours later, I sailed in to the harour on the mainland... and finally back to Reykjavik. Was quite late and was pretty tired. Knew I had to get up at 3.45 next morning to catch the 7.50. plane to Oslo from Keflavik Airport...

So I left... but I have done everything and more that I wanted to...I have seen Surtsey and I have almost been right on the rift................. but I did not eat puffin or whale.

So I flew into Oslo this morning and it was snowing...... and the snow covered the ground and it was cold cold cold... snow???? yes lots of it............................

Gothenburg tomorrow................ I am really looking forward to this