Day 7 was another long ride, so we left Fljótsdalur hostel at 6:00am and headed back to join the ring road. We followed the road south east taking in views of the newest Island on earth. Surtsey rose from the water between 1963 and 1967, the result of a series of underwater volcanic eruptions.

So far the weather in Iceland had been kind, with only one day of light drizzle. Today was no exception, with temperatures in the high 20's it was easily the hottest day of our tour. I actually got sunburnt legs! This was in direct contrast to England which we learned was blowing gales and freezing cold!

By midday we had reached Skogar, where we stopped to view the magnificent waterfalls and have an ice cream. Although a lot smaller than Gullfoss falls, for me the Skógarfoss falls were more impressive, glistening white in the midday sunshine.

In the afternoon we continued along the ring road towards Vik, population of about 300. Unfortunately, before reaching Vik on bike there's the slight matter of a gargantuan hill to climb. As is often the case, the pain of cycling up a hill is more than made up for by the view available from the top (at least that's what I tell myself as I'm climbing!).