Reykjavík
Reykjavík was the destination for mission 13 of the Colonel's weekend breaks. The new mascot was Thorsten.
Diaries
Codewords
Akureyri
Whilst mission 13 was officially 
13 
25 Reykjavík, the Colonel's Regiment actually spent two nights in Akureyri in Northern Iceland. During this time they climbed Mount Sulur, ate some rather tasty Dan Cake, took a trip to Godafoss and climbed a volcanic crater at Lake Myvatn. They also observed the famous Icelandic tradition, the runtur.
Alþing
The AlÞing (pronounced althing) is the original Icelandic parliament. It was situated in Þingvellir National Park. It was an outdoor parliament consisting of rows of benches, similar to those used by the chimps and gorillas in Planet of the Apes. The AlÞing was a favourite hang out for such famous Icelandic dignitaries as Þorgeirr Þorkelsson Ljósvetningagoði, who once wastefully decided to chuck all his stuff into Godafoss.
Chasm of coins
The Chasm of Coins is a pool with a bridge over it in Þingvellir National Park. It is a deep, very clear pool which many people throw coins into. Legend has it that if you make a wish and you watch your coin hit the bottom, your wish will come true. Legend also has it that, in ancient times, the chasm of coins bore a distinction similar to Emperor Ming's Pit of Fire.
Dan Cake
This is Dan Cake. Dan Cake! Dan Cake! Dan Cake! Dan Cake! Dan Cake! Dan Cake! Dan Cake! Dan Cake! Dan Cake! Dan Cake! Dan Cake! Dan Cake!
No, it's an inanimate object.
Dan Cake!
Godafoss
Godafoss is a small waterfall close to the main highway in Northern Iceland, about 40km east of Akureyri. The Colonel's Regiment stopped to see it for about five minutes during mission 13. Its sole claim to fame is that Þorgeirr Þorkelsson Ljósvetningagoði, an Icelandic Pelham, stopped off on his way back from the AlÞing to Akureyri, to chuck some stuff into it.
Grignak
Grignak is a character in Galaxy Quest. He is a large rock monster who attacks Peter Quincy Taggart. In Iceland, smaller, inanimate grignaks are used to mark trails in national parks. The Colonel's Regiment first discovered grignaks during their trip to Þingvellir National Park. A trail of grignaks led them out to a prehistoric farm, before they were replaced by small, less interesting poles which led them to the visitors' centre. Grignaks were also prevalent on the Mount Sulur trail. The summit is marked by a larger, shoulder-height grignak.
Hfuhruhurr thermal area
The Hfuhruhurr thermal area is situated near Lake Myvatn in Iceland. It contains several sloppy, bubbling pools and various steam vents. Apparently, if you go in May, it's also ridiculously cold.
Hverfjall
Hverfjall is a large volcanic crater in close proximity to Lake Myvatn in Iceland. The Colonel's Regiment hiked to the top of it during mission 13. It is about 1km in diameter. The views from the top are incredible. Unfortunately, the crater floor is covered with humorous graffiti, of the form, "kiss my this", "suck my whatever", "my penis is so and so". Because of this, access to the crater floor is now forbidden.
Lake Myvatn
The Colonel's Regiment visited Lake Myvatn in a rented Toyota Yaris from Akureyri during mission 13. It is a large lake which is fairly devoid of features. One interesting thing about it is its proximity to Hverfjall crater, which the Colonel's Regiment walked up. Its proximity to the Hfuhruhurr thermal area led the Colonel's men to believe that Lake Uumellmahaye was a more appropriate name.
Mix
Mix is a drink that is popular with Icelandic people. Owing to the fact that it tastes disgusting, it has never managed to find its way into the export market.
Mount Sulur
Mount Súlur is a mountain just outside Akureyri in Iceland. Going against advice given by the tourist information centre, the Colonel's Regiment walked up it during Mission 13 13 25 Reykjavík. The journey to the summit took four and a half hours and the trail disappeared beneath the snow frequently. The regiment eventually reached the summit after contending with knee deep snow, steep ascents and many tumbles.
The summit is marked by a shoulder-height grignak and a visitor's book which the regiment signed. The view from the top of Mount Súlur is incredible, with the fjord and surrounding mountain range visible. Once the Colonel's Regiment had reached the summit, they celebrated a successful ascent by sharing some Dan Cake. The journey down took a mere two hours and forty minutes. The regiment eventually arrived back in town at 9.10p.m. after some eight hours tackling the mountain.
Runtur
The runtur is an Icelandic tradition. In 13 25 Reykjavík it takes the form of an extended pub crawl taking place on Friday and Saturday nights, from about 11p.m. until 3a.m. However, in Akureyri, the runtur takes a different form. It is a tradition which is carried out by Icelandic teenagers and involves them getting into their cars and driving in a small loop around the city centre at around 5 miles an hour. There really is nothing to do there.
Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris is the small car of choice for hire car companies throughout Iceland. The Colonel's Regiment drove not one, but two, during Mission 13 13 25 Reykjavík. This is the first time that hire cars have featured during Colonel's breaks. The Colonel's Regiment discovered that the Toyota Yaris is totally unsuited to off-road driving.
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir National Park is a park in Iceland, several miles outside Reykjavik. The Colonel's Regiment drove there during mission 13. It is the site of the original AlÞing, or parliament, which was established around 930A.D. Many Icelandic chieftains came here for the original AlÞing and debated many issues.
During the year 1000, Þorgeirr Þorkelsson Ljósvetningagoði, a pagan priest, walked from Akureyri to the AlÞing, to debate whether Iceland should adopt Christianity. On the way back, he stopped off at Godafoss and chucked all of his pagan stuff into the waterfall.
The Colonel's Regiment did a very enjoyable walk in Þingvellir. They followed a line of grignaks out to a prehistoric farm, crossing several rivers, the infamous chasm of coins and many deep ravines caused by continental drift. After stopping off at the visitor's centre to purchase some food and some Mix, the Colonel's Regiment headed back to the car. Unfortunately, they took a wrong turn and followed a disused trail into a deep canyon. After much scrambling over rocks and slipping and sliding on ice, they eventually made it out and discovered the real trail about two yards away, the other side of the ravine.
Þorgeirr Þorkelsson Ljósvetningagoði
Þorgeirr Þorkelsson Ljósvetningagoði was an Icelandic lawspeaker for the parliament, or AlÞing, during the 10th century A.D. He decided to trek about a hundred miles across Iceland on a regular basis to participate in the AlÞing. On one such visit he decided to convert from his pagan religion to Christianity. To show how dedicated he was to this new religion, on his journey back to Akureyri, he had an excursion day to Godafoss and decided to chuck all of his stuff into it.