1988 Sheila joined me on a trip to Iceland. We went around the whole Island and across the Sprengisandor pass along the biggest glacier of Europe, Vatnajökull with a public bus and enjoyed the magnificence of the landscape, many powerfull waterfalls (with the most powerfull of Europe Dettifoss) and the geysers. We also went to Heimaey Island where the results of the recent volcanic Eruption from 1973 were still visible (destroyed houses). We stayed in a tent on magnificent Camping lots and youth-hostel when available. Hotels were rare and expensive. That was before another volcanic eruption on the main Island 1996 Gjálp , Grimsföten caused servere damage to the costal road which was closed for some time after that. We bathed in natural hot springs and also in the Blue Lagoon, the debris water of a geothermal power plant. We had a great time although it was still quite cool in June.

Iceland has a long record of volcanic eruptions, for example 1783/1784 which was even documented in Johann Wolfgang Goethes colour sience and maybe inspired Duke Count Rumford, Rumford worked for the Wittelsbacher Under Karl Theoder from Palatina to invent warm underwear. (since 1788) after some very cold years which followed the Eruption. And also the famous Rumford Soup to fill the empty stomaches after bad harvests. Rumford also promoted gardening in the Englischer Garten in Munich.
   

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