Topic: Iceland 2007 (Read 6784 times)

simondarby · « **on:** March 31, 2007, 19:45:25 »

Just booked the return ferry trip from Scrabster (Scotland) to Iceland this July with Smyril Line.

Been talking of this trip for the last 2 years so I am getting excited now. Bit of a treat as I am 40 this year...

Will spend 14 days exploring this amazing country hoping not to get stuck too many times!

Finishing off preparing my 1995 300tdi Disco as we speak.

Will have steering guard, diff guards, raised air intake, 2nd battery, power inverter, work lamps, recovery points, slightly larger (245/75R16) All terrains to help me on my way.

I will keep you posted on progress and intend to take many, many pictures of the trip and will also take a digital camcorder with the intention of creating a DVD to help me preserve my memories for many years...

Simon

barmiebrumie · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2007, 21:09:28 »

My youngest daughter has just been with the school, she said it was an 'amazing place' & for a teenager to say so it must be something special, Have a goood time & post plenty of pic's

AbyssDJ · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2007, 21:15:12 »

how much does the ferry cost?

markyd · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2007, 21:47:24 »

Good luck mate its a fantasic country 8)

simondarby · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2007, 16:37:10 »

Including supplement for having a vehicle taller than 2.1mtrs, Ã‚Â£600. That's for vehicle and up to two persons.

Then you have to add 3 nights worth of accomodation in the Faroe islands on the way home as there is a compulsory 3 day/night stopover. Having said that, it starts from 25 euros per night for a youth hostel so it isn't too bad...

Si

africanpete · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2007, 22:32:19 »

Wont you need snow chains :?:

Jim-Willy · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2007, 02:34:17 »

Have fun Dude, i have done Scandinavia but never got to iceland tho' it is on my to do list. I await the piccys with interest 8)

doug90tdi · « **Reply #7 on:** April 10, 2007, 11:54:20 »

We are looking to do the same trip in early July - where did you book it? Seems cheaper than my attempt at understanding the Smyril line website!

simondarby · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2007, 08:39:24 »

I originally filled out the booking form on the Smyril Line website but had no response so I emailed them directly. A chap called Petur responded and took the booking directly by email...

He replied in a couple of days stating that the journey was booked and asking for my address so he could post the invoice...

Job done.

Bear in mind that the web site is all in Euros and also that I have not requested a cabin to keep the cost as low as I can.

simondarby · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2007, 12:58:50 »

Just to keep you posted...

Final ferry bill came to Ã‚Â£556 for two adults and one oversized truck...

Bit cheaper than I thought it was going to be... which was nice.

Si

L90OOK · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2007, 18:10:26 »

I was part of an expedition in 2003 to Iceland. thermidorthelobster went too.
Expect some wonderful scenery & driving.
What part of Devon you in? I am in South Hams if you would like to know more...some pics below.
Cheers

J

L90OOK · « **Reply #11 on:** May 19, 2007, 18:11:10 »

...& another

L90OOK · « **Reply #12 on:** May 19, 2007, 18:15:39 »

simondarby · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2007, 13:59:07 »

I'm in Torquay J.

Be good to compare notes sometime if you are up for it...

Be interested to know what you ended up needing and not needing on the trip. I have camped before many times but I am a little vague on what will be essential and non-essential on this trip as I have never been on a vehicle based trip before...

Si

thermidorthelobster · « **Reply #14 on:** May 21, 2007, 14:26:15 »

Well, the first time we took 2 spare tyres each, but didn't have a single puncture among 5 vehicles (or was it 6?), so that was a bit of a waste of time.

There's a Halfords in Aberdeen for all the stuff you'll realise you forgot!

simondarby · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2007, 13:11:01 »

Landed back in blightey on Monday morning....

Wow! What an experience!

When I get myself back together I shall post some pics. It's just knowing where to start with them all.

If you ever get the opportunity, take yourself to iceland. Some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen and the people are very friendly.

What a hoot we had!

Si

africanpete · « **Reply #16 on:** August 03, 2007, 21:44:38 »

Glad you had a good time, cant wait to see the pics and hear the tales :D

L90OOK · « **Reply #17 on:** August 04, 2007, 21:34:59 »

Hi Si

Glad you had a good time...looking forward to the pics...we landed back in blighty on Monday from Norway...another stunning country.

J

kevinf · « **Reply #18 on:** August 08, 2007, 20:07:14 »

Hi- being reading your topic with great interest. Just decided it`s time to take this a bit further and have a go at a car based journey. We`ve two kids aged 4 and 6 and a few companies at billing were willing to take them, whilst some seamt less enthusiastic. Did you go with a travel company? What tents did you use? \trying to oprganise one for next summer but we`re not sure how much stuff we will need as we are regular campers. Any advice especially on stockists or companies greatly appreciated. Great to hear you had a fanastic time. Cheers Kevin

doug90tdi · « **Reply #19 on:** August 16, 2007, 09:12:39 »

We were in Iceland in July with Simon, you don't need to go with a travel company, would advise teaming up with another vehicle if driving some of the more challenging routes. Meeting up with the Iceland Land Rover club was a good way of finding the best routes. (see www.islandrover.is) From a vehicle perspective we had more problems arising from the corrugated roads shaking electrics apart than from any extreme offroading/rivers.

We took a 90 and a 110. In our 90 managed to fit all our camping stuff plus 2 mountain bikes! We took one big tent that we could cook/eat in and a couple of smaller ones for when it was really windy! It was cold in the evenings but the rain wasn't that bad! We ran a petrol powered stove and managed to buy food locally. Beer and wine is silly money so you need to take your full allowance. Only allowed 3kg of food each otherwise you get fined.

Awesome place though, friendly people, only problem is greenlaning in the UK will never be the same! Driving 70-80 mile long offroad tracks is excellent.

Will sort some photos out shortly

Doug

chaosego · « **Reply #20 on:** September 04, 2007, 00:04:34 »

so how much would a 2 week trip cost roughly all in ta glyn

graham · « **Reply #21 on:** September 06, 2007, 23:38:25 »

Just had a read through i wanted to go next year but things keeping getting in the way. how long does it take to get there i saw the stop over on the way back.
Please post pics soon :D

simondarby · « **Reply #22 on:** September 07, 2007, 13:36:08 »

Ferry cost Â£556.00 return for tall Disco and 2 adults. I drove up from South Devon which took 13 hours to get to Scrabster (ferry port). Ferry crossing takes 31 hours outbound with a brief stop at the Faroe Islands. The return crossing takes 19 hours to the Faroes where you get off and camp for 3 days until the ferry returns and the remaining crossing takes another 12 hours to Scrabster.

We bought all our supplies before we went to cut down on costs but be aware that you are only allowed to import 3Kgs of food per person into Iceland. Even after months of research I had forgotten this and as we happily slipped down the green channel at Icelandic customs, we were pulled over, searched and fined for the extra food we were "smuggling" in!

Camp sites cost about 700-800Kr pp per night (Â£7-Â£8 roughly).

Diesel cost just over a pound a litre so not wildly different to here. Only costs about 60p/litre in the Faroes though!

Will post some pics soon... honest!

Disco is now for sale if anyone is interested...

Si

GREENI · « **Reply #23 on:** September 07, 2007, 21:57:28 »

SOOOOOOO JEALOUS....GOOD ON YA !!!!
WOULD LIKE SEE PICS THOUGH =D>

graham · « **Reply #24 on:** October 31, 2007, 00:37:04 »

Any pics yet?

simondarby · « **Reply #25 on:** October 31, 2007, 21:49:33 »

Pics are in my gallery.

Not a complete set but enough to give a flavour...

I can't recommend Iceland enough as a destination.

Si

africanpete · « **Reply #26 on:** October 31, 2007, 22:12:33 »

Very very nice, what time of year did you go?

simondarby · « **Reply #27 on:** October 31, 2007, 22:28:00 »

July this year. 9th to the 30th..

3 week trip in all.

africanpete · « **Reply #28 on:** November 05, 2007, 21:43:15 »

Thanks Simon

The good missus and I have decided that it would be a good trip to sort out what we do and don't need for our trans-Africa trip in 09 so it looks as if I'll be in Iceland next July, Hoorah :D :D

Cheers
Pete

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AuthorTopic: Iceland 2007 (Read 6784 times)

AbyssDJ