L E O N I E . W I S E

iceland. population 300,000 (approx). that’s 3 people per square kilometre which is a great ratio considering the average EU country has 2-300 in the same space! they also have more sheep here than people, kinda like new zealand…

power is primarily geo-thermal (some is hydro) and i think it’s actually kinda cool that we have one of the power stations right next door to our hotel. they have so much power in iceland here that they can afford to have 2 hour long showers and never have to worry about running out of hot water. after a cold day outside, a shot of the local vodka is also a great way to warm up and the wool that their sheep grow here is water-resistant and ultra insulating. wicked.

they have hydrogen fuel, cute looking horses, stunning scenery (including northern lights, which we are yet to experience first-hand) and a bloody difficult language.

i think i’m in love

iceland is a land being torn in half. at the rift, we move between 2 tectonic plates:
the north american plate on one side

the rift

and the eurasian plate (in the distance) on the other.
their first parliament stood on the site of the buildings in the middle of this photo. Þingvellir national park

a necklace of frozen jewels around a geysir

this geysir erupts about every 5 minutes

myndaniðurstöður fyrir gulfoss – the golden waterfall

snowmobiling on iceland’s 2nd largest glacier langjökull, as the sun sets (about 4 hours after sunrise)
(sometimes, not being the lead dog – or driving the snowmobile – has its advantages)

our chariot for the day. like a hummer. but a gzillion times cooler.

happy new year everyone

we are here

this hotel chosen for (i) it’s proximity to the blue lagoon (the name of which always makes me think of this movie) and (ii) the fact that it’s out of the city of reykjavik and we are more likely to see the northern lights.

fingers crossed we see them tonight.

panoramic – taken by nic – best viewed large

the view from our room

how to cool a bottle of veuve clicquot kiwi-style…
hang it out the window (in the -5 degC temperatures) in a plastic bag tied to a shoe-lace.

{ for darlene’s december views }

field trip to the london wetland centre

demoiselle crane

this curious & brave robin was very interested in hanging out with nic &
stopped to rest on his shoulder for a few seconds (far too quick for me to photograph)

a swan family flies over

bird watchers

view across the wetlands from the 2nd floor of the peacock hide

#814 in 1000 things to do in london – birdwatch (and be watched)

{ for darlene’s december views }

a boxing-day walk from our place along the thames path to tower bridge. it’s about 6.5 km (4 miles)

the map, so you can see where we’ve been (click for larger view)

westferry inlet

pelican stairs, next to the prospect of whitby

the prospect of whitby. london’s oldest waterside pub – established 1520.
originally called the devils tavern, this pub was frequented by dickens.

st katharine’s docks.

tower bridge, london coucil buildings, butler’s wharf

tower of london

all photos canon 400d, 10-22mm wide-angle lens.
#326 of 1000 things to do in london – walk the thames footpath

{ for darlene’s december views }

{ for darlene’s december views }

polaroid sun 600 with 779 film. shot on location at the landor, clapham, london

{ for darlene’s december views }

shakespeare’s globe. canon 400d, 10-22mm wide-angle lens

shakespeare’s globe (hdr). canon 400d, 10-22mm wide-angle lens

{ for darlene’s december views }

happy solstice everyone

first light at machu picchu, by jessie reeder. from flickr cc

winter solstice at stonehenge, by christopher hawkins. from flickr cc

creamy leek & potato soup with parsley oil and parmesan crisps. inspired by sunday suppers

{ for darlene’s december views }

{ for darlene’s december views }