ANYONE might assume that, after such a long winter, the last place young people would choose to spend their time would be a country barely outside the Arctic Circle.
However, a group of students from St John's School, in Leatherhead, did exactly that, braving the arctic winds in Iceland during a Sixth Form geography trip last week.
The students visited several cities and towns in the picturesque country, as well as witnessing erupting geysers and flowing waterfalls.
School administrator Sally Hunt said: "The sense of adventure among St John's geographers is never lacking and they all had a magnificent week.
"Contrary to expectations, they were rewarded by some of the best weather seen in Iceland for many months. Already, on their first day, temperatures reached double figures, while the UK was suffering a continuing cold snap.
"Although at times it was extremely cold, throughout the visit the sun shone, enabling the students to enjoy the most breathtaking views."
On the first day the group arrived during the evening at Keflavik Airport, where they were treated to a display of the famous Northern Lights.
The following day pupils wandered around Thingvellir National Park, where they learned about the splitting of the North American and Eurasian Plates, Iceland's national parliament, and Icelandic sagas.
They were then driven to see the colossal amounts of water tumbling down Gullfoss – the Golden Falls – before watching the geyser Strokkur erupt.
Ms Hunt added: "During their stay, the group slept in cabins under the shadow of the ice-capped volcano Eyjafjallajökull, which caused the well-publicised trouble in 2010.
"There, they viewed the trail of destruction the flood waters left.
"They saw some spectacular waterfalls – some ice, others flowing – and clambered over snow and ash-covered glaciers."
As part of their geography trip, students climbed a small mountain and studied braided rivers and U-shaped valleys.
They also travelled to the coast and saw the basalt columns rising from the beach at Vik before relaxing at the internationally renowned Blue Lagoon spa.
Ms Hunt continued: "It was satisfying to see the pupils act as such excellent ambassadors of the school at all times. People we met in Iceland commented on how well-behaved they were."
