Stella's birthday - Spent day on a boat and visiting a volcanic island :o)

Stella's birthday is 6 days after mine and as it was her 30th birthday we had pre-booked a trip (nowt like being organised now is there). We got picked up early (a running theme here ??) and we booked in and paid and also got our free gift (again the bargain queen that is me found that we could get free bees).
We went on a posh boat over to White Island. This is an active marine volcano. It's about 300m above water but about 600m below water. We made the mistake on the boat journey over there are sitting on the top desk, it was rather 'lumpy & bumpy' for the 1 1/2 hr journey over to the island and unfortunately Jen was sick and Stella very nearly (she wasn't sick until we got on the island - always nice to leave a little present!). But iron gut Jaimie (only when it comes to boats) was fine and having a giggle at the fact that I couldn't walk straight and kept bumping into people and things.

Once at the Island, it was truely awesome. You get split up into little groups, ours was the largest with 20 people. We had Alan as our guide and Jeff to make sure everyone made if off the island. Before the tour we where issued with hard hats (can I not get away from them?) and a gasmask (not military issue which was the last type I was used to). Anyway, we walked around the island and were told loads of interesting stuff, like what to do and where to go if an eruption was to happen (eekk!) how to use the gasmasks (yawn) and that it was up to us when we used them.
They used to mine sulphur on the island but it was very hard work and conditions for the guys as the island did rather smell sulphurous and the guys had to brush their teeth 3 times a day to stop them going black. There is a lake on the island which is so acidic is is -0.5 on the pH scale !!! I did also notice pieces of asbestos corigating roofing on the ground as the old buildings are falling down (you can take the girl out of Newcastle but not her ability to spot asbestos at 100 yards) - Please help me !!!
After our tour of the island & once back on the boat, Stella & Jen had time to jump into the water and have a swim. I decided that it was far better to stay and look after their towels (ok, still chicken about water but am working on it).


The boat ride back was much better as we where sitting on the bottom and at the back of the boat, plus sunning ourselves.


A lovely day and was rounded off by Stella liking the birthday gift Jen & I had bought her.