Tuesday, 13. January 2009
Ladies who walk!
“I wonder where we wander” (Debbie, 2009)
Every Tuesday and Thursday 4 ladies meet for a walk! We are talking about serious walking, not a stroll. It all started a couple of winters ago with a walk to Plaka as a social meeting. Debbie, Janet, Rose and Ann are now accomplished walkers and apart from the social aspect of the walk, they have discovered many old hill tracks, enjoyed fantastic views and visited many old villages.
Ladies who walk!
“I wonder where we wander” (Debbie, 2009)
Every Tuesday and Thursday 4 ladies meet for a walk! We are talking about serious walking, not a stroll. It all started a couple of winters ago with a walk to Plaka as a social meeting. Debbie, Janet, Rose and Ann are now accomplished walkers and apart from the social aspect of the walk, they have discovered many old hill tracks, enjoyed fantastic views and visited many old villages.
Tuesday, 13. January 2009
Ladies who walk!
“I wonder where we wander” (Debbie, 2009)
Ladies who walk!
“I wonder where we wander” (Debbie, 2009)
The ladies meet at 10.30 at the Church in Elounda, equipped with a walking book, sandwiches, water and lots of enthusiasm. On Tuesday, the 13th of January, I joined them for their walk. The plan was to visit an old cheese factory in the vicinity of Loumas. We went by car up to Vrouhas and parked just after Vrouhas. The book used for the walks is over 10 years old and the group of ladies have amendments sheets to help them along.
The first 3 kilometres we walked on the road into Loumas and then we went off the beaten track into the hills to the cheese factory, which was found with nearly no problem. A bit further on the way we came to an old water well with steps leading to the bottom. Alas, none of us made it to the bottom, but some were braver than others.
The 4 ladies stop for a quick poto
Beautiful views looking over to the sea
Skinia is an old Cretan village
The walk through the hills was really lovely, sometimes you could see the sea, sometimes only mountains. Our four ladies were very sure footed and very good map readers. We didn't got lost once.
The walking should be done mostly on donkey tracks and hill tracks and normal roads should be avoided. Therefore we decided to go back to Loumas using the tracks instead of going down to Seles on the tarmac road.
In Loumas we had our lunch in the best picnic place I've ever come across in the Elounda area.
In Loumas we had our lunch in the best picnic place I've ever come across in the Elounda area.
After lunch we went further on to Skinia on the main road and back over the hill tracks. Skinia is an old Cretan village, with many nooks and crannies and old village houses. Our way back to Loumas led us past water wells, olive and carob trees and we ended back at the old mills we started from. Another 3 km by road and there was the car waiting for us. I for one, was happy to see the car.
Old donkey tracks
The old cheese factory
The old cheese factory
Lost ?
Old walls cross the country
I didn’t think that I was really fit, but I didn’t realize that I was not that fit at all and I hope only that I didn’t hold Debbie, Janet, Rose and Ann back. We arrived back in Elounda just after 15.00. I enjoyed the walk very much and I would like to join the ladies again. What an excellent way to met up and explore the country side!
Thank you very much for letting me come with you!
Christine
Lotus Eaters
Thank you very much for letting me come with you!
Christine
Lotus Eaters
Circular Walks and Gorges in East Crete by Anne Bouras and Caris Gallos. We first published the book in 2003 and now we have a 2nd edition which has all the updates (bulldozers and fences being the main culprits for the changes) plus 2 new walks. It is also now available in Greek. The book will be on sale in Aghios Nikolaos and Elounda in bookstores and the tourist information offices.
bousoulasapt@hotmail.com or (0030) 6973900177
bousoulasapt@hotmail.com or (0030) 6973900177
NEW
The 4 ladies ready for their walk