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Bike rides and runs

On Sunday 10th July I went for a bike ride with Yvette, Pat, Gabbi & Annette to Sivros. We carried on towards Vournikas & Fterno and then to Efgiros where we stopped for our frappe.

A few days later Mel ran to Kontarena and I ran towards Agio Fili beach and we met in town for a frappe as usual. Livanaki’s cafe has the new umbrellas required by Greek law (why?) in place now.

I went for a bike ride to Agios Petros with Yvette, Pat, Gabbi & Annette on Wednesday 13th July. We stopped at the cafe in Agios Petros for a frappe and Mel was already there. Jan, Ian, Horst, Bernd & Hugo arrived on their bikes soon after. They are doing a much longer bike ride to Athani. Mel ran back via Nikolis (21km) and we cycled back to Vassiliki via the deserted village.

Cora’s house in Sivros

Mel ran and I cycled to Sivros one morning and we called in to see Cora at her house there. Cora and her husband, Spiros have built their own house and it is still work in progress but it is in a lovely position with fabulous views. They have a vegetable and flower garden at the house but also have a small holding in the valley.

Dimitri’s Taverna in Geni with Debbie & Steve

The wind started to blow in Vass style towards the end of June and the beginning of July. It also became busier with more people arriving in the town, on the campsite and in our apartment block. We continued with our running/cycling routine and going to the beach each afternoon. Debbie & Steve Brabbs came to stay at The Cosmos and their daughter Emily is working in Nidri this year; we have known them since they first came to Vass about 10 years ago. They have brought their bikes with them this year and they go on some serious bike rides. We met them by chance one day in at Dimitri’s Taverna in Geni and had a frappe with them before they continued on their ride to meet Emily in Nidri.

Kontárena run – new route

Clouds over Vass harbour

A new route today, through the Olive Groves, into Kontárena and over the hill towards Agiofili. Lesley Ran from the other direction and also ran a new and longer route. Plenty of climbing in these runs.

The weather didn’t rain as forecast and was very pleasant for running. I did manage to catch a few spider webs on my way though. Finished off with a nice frappé in town.

Bike ride to Agios Petros and Nikolis

IMG_3197The first bike ride into the hills is always a challenge if you’re not a proper cyclist. And we’re not!

I wanted to bring Lesley on this route, I had previously run it and the flowers are amazing at the moment. It was a tough ride as we wanted to see the damage caused to Staffi’s (a local baker and restaurant owner) restaurant by the earthquake, which is an extra bit of uphill work. Lesley loved it!

Nidri Waterfalls

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This looks complicated.

We decided to have another look at these impressive waterfalls early in the season. Last year it was very busy with lots of people and I wanted to try and take some photos. I think to be a true photographer you have to be very patient, especially if there are unwanted people about.

It was quieter and it was less busy so I was able to get a couple of pictures. It’s also a pleasant stroll when it’s not too hot.

First run into the hills around Vass

imageA beautiful sunny start to the day (7:40) when I set off on my first foray into the hills. The plan was to run to Agios Petros, see how I felt and either come back via the deserted village (16km), or, if I felt good, I would head off towards Nikolis (21km).

Unfortunately, someone has stolen the handle from the spring tap at about 5 km, I usually stop there for a drink, but I couldn’t turn the tap on. Plan B was to stop at the cafe in Ag. Petros and have a frappé, a better idea altogether.

The roads out of Ag. Petros were stunning, the flora and fauna (well some cats and a snake), were stunning and I had to keep taking photos.

As I approached the turn off for the deserted village I felt good so decided to push for the turning down to the olive groves just before Nikolis. I’d heard from the local baker, Staffi, that the earthquake over the winter had hit the area around Nikoli, he has a restaurant there and can’t open until the council has repaired the outdoor seating area. On the road back to the olive groves I could see some of the damage done to the road.

All aboard the Hellenic Spirit

On the ferry. Very quick and easy and no problems after the recent Greek strike. They didn’t bother about the length of the car or the height so that was good. In fact, because we are too big for the car bay they have put us in front of all the lorries and it looks like we could be first off.

It’s lovely to have a cabin and a window, wifi in the room and our own shower facilities – we didn’t have that when we stayed in the motorhome!

First day of skiing 2016

Everything set up in the motorhome now so we’re ready to visit the slopes. We’ve had conflicting reports about snow conditions and we’re eager to find out for ourselves. Sometimes the first day can seem to present unnecessary challenges, putting on boots takes longer than usual, forgetting an essential item or feeling rushed. Today seemed to go well, except for how uncomfortable my ski boots were, and they were on the loosest settings, it took a few runs to sort out the settings and then I was able to enjoy pain-free skiing.

IMG_2153We stopped at the Chalet le Fôret otherwise know as the Cavern for a coffee, one of the cheapest on the slopes and a chance to access some wifi. Snow conditions seemed good but the weather was very warm, hot even and in the afternoon there was a hint of wet snow, but nothing serious. We skied from Arc 1600 over to Vallendry and then up the Transarc into Arc 2000. We came back via the pool where skiers try and skim across the top of the swimming pool, unfortunately, it was covered and there was no action to watch.

We covered most of the main areas and the snow conditions were good. The forecast for the next few day is mixed and so more snow may be laid on the mountains.