Our guest speaker was Cate Robinson. Cate was a member of the GSE team that went to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in May this year. Cate was nominated as a team member by our Club. Cate spoke to us about her trip to Iceland which she made after the GSE was completed. Cate was introduced by Trevor Duxbury.
Cate spent just over a week travelling around Iceland with a group of ten- nine Australian women and one British male. Cate showed us many of the photos she had taken on her trip. As a geography teacher Cate found Iceland to be fascinating.
At the start of her trip Cate saw craters (which she was assured were not active), recently formed lava fields and geothermal power stations.
Cate went for a swim whilst in Iceland but it was a short one as the water was freezing. In the North of the country there was 24 hours of sunlight each day. Sunset was soon followed by sunrise. Cate used eye patches to help her sleep.Cate showed us a photo of large timber racks that are used for drying fish. Cate also told us about the large pipes carrying hot water to the capital Reykjavik. When using the water Cate found it to have a strong sulphur smell and to be “a bit slimy”.
Travelling down the East coast Cate was impressed by the fiords and the low clouds blowing in from the ocean. It reminded Cate of the West coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
Cate advised us that the volcano that recently erupted in Iceland, resulting in the cancelation of all European flights, has a big sister which is also expected to erupt soon.
Cate advised us that the most common motor vehicle is a very large four wheel drive suitable for driving on glaciers and the rough off road terrain.
After answering members questions Cate was thanked by Ian Johnson.