Yesterday, Workaway volunteer Anabelle and friend Lisa Manly worked about 4 hours clearing the portion of trail 57 walk 13. It was hard labour and I had to refill the chainsaw 3 times. So this portion IS NOW OPEN.
I wish I could say the same for the portion beyond Sotiros. There are very many trees down across the path here, including the ravine where the ancient aquaduct is located. It’s no longer visible so it can’t be confirmed whether it’s survived or not.
A very successful day yesterday. We managed to clear the foliage and large branches from a fallen tree so that you can now walk under the main trunk. Whilst we were there, we also widened the path and improved the signage.
Please welcome latest volunteer Annabelle Demy from Brittany, France.
Walk 6 return route no.2.
This is still work in progress. You can’t get much further beyond the spring (we’ve got as far as co-ordinates 39.13731, 23.714224) but getting as far as we’ve cleared is quite a pleasant walk in itself but you’ll have to return back the same way as it’s still blocked at the tip.
Walk 8 pic.35
The spring route is blocked after the spring.
Walk 18 pic. 61
This where we’re working at the moment. There’s a tree down as the trail meanders it’s way up the Anania Hill towards Ag Nikolaus.
Welcome to new volunteer Annabelle Demy from France. I’ll be posting images soon.
After a couple of gloomy, overcast, drizzly days, we were able to get out for Clare and Sylvan’s final working day. We chose The Retsina Trail which just needed a bit of a trim. The air was fresh and the views 3D. We’ve inspected nearly all of The Restina Trail and it looks in great shape with no blockages.
Thanks so much to Clare and Sylvan for all the hard work, company and good times. What more could one ask?
Today there was just Clare and myself. I drove round to the rubbish tip with a view to working DOWN from the trail head to meet up with where we’ve been working up to it for the last few days. However, the amount of rubbish was so bad, it just wasn’t possible. A disgusting, smelly mess. I really don’t have a solution. So I decided to take a look at the condition of The Retsina Trail. All good. Long grass and a bit of clipping required, but on the whole, passable. Meanwhile, back at Tsukalus spring, Sylvan has made another seat with a lovely view to Glysteri.
It’s THAT time of year again unfortunately; tics and green-eyed horse flies (locally called ‘devils’ diavolos). Both are after your blood so be careful.
In the meantime, we are two pairs of hands down; Pamela got badly slashed by some barbed Smilax aspera and Steph had to leave early due to the ferry strike. Heal quickly Pamela and thank you Steph for all your help, carried out with enthusiasm and a smile.
We’d been told about fallen trees blocking this section so decided to have a look. Not good. But we made a start on the first blockage nearest Sotiros. The tree was so big, my chainsaw was too small, but we’ve removed all the branches and Sylvan sawed a foot plate so you can climb over the trunk.
Day 2 of working on this exquisite section. Several hikers came along, hoping to continue on but it would have been impossible. There are tree limbs broken off everywhere. The land owner also visited us. He’s taken advantage of suddenly being able to get to parts of his property, previously jungle and has already been sawing up logs ready for next winter. Thank goodness his attitude was friendly as it’s not always the case! So we’ve got to just beyond the spring and will be working our way up towards the tip.
Welcome back Sylvan from New Zealand! Sylvan was part of last year’s Retsina Trail clearing team.
Delighted to say that Walk 6 section 22-23 IS NOW OPEN AGAIN!!
We worked very hard indeed on this trail, not only removing the fallen trees and shrubs but also widening it. We’ve already started on the continuation of this trail, section 25-26.
After three days of clearing, we have unblocked this trail but it still needs a bit of work and a fence needs attention. However, we’re taking a break today and will finish off tomorrow.