Orchids
Now is the time to be here to admire the orchids; they are enjoying a good season.
I still haven’t managed to do the sign boards for the Panormos trail but maybe I will manage to gps the route at least. Where does the time go?
A new artificial lake is being created at Loutsa (on the right hand side going towards Panormos) which friends have said has destroyed one of my trails. I haven’t been there as I find such things too emotional! So it could be that part of Walk 32 is not as per the book.
April News
The final part of the Panormos Trail has now been cleared! This means that one can walk from Skopelos to Panormos on an open trail. One will have to use the road however, now and again, as development destroys portions of the old path system. Also, the new, yellow, footprint signs have been put into place on this trail. All that needs to be done now is to GPS the trail and erect sign boards at either end.
I had hoped to get more trails cleared before the start of the walking season but I just haven’t had any volunteers to help me achieve this. The one in particular I wanted to clear was Djilili to Glysteri. Sorry folks, this one is still impassable. And, the illegal fence is still there. Feel free to cut it!
Here are some images of the wild flowers now out. Hope you enjoy them!
THE NEW WEYMARKS
Hi. The weymark signs have arrived and this is what they look like. All we have to do is put them up now. Anyone with a cordless drill, please form a line here! The clock is ticking. Will we be able to get everything done before the start of the season?
SNOWED IN
Hi. For the last two Sundays the weather has been so bad, we have been unable to get out and about. Last night, a snow blizzard started up and is still in progress. We also had a power cut from 10pm last night until 10am this morning. Yesterday, the supermarket shelves were half empty as no boats have been able to deliver for several days. Oh the joys of living on a Greek island.
NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS
Thought I’d better let you know that no path clearing was carried out during January. The lawyer has sent a letter to the guy who errected an elligal fence across one of the routes but so far, no response. The yellow, arrow markers have not yet arrived. So, I’ve been gardening up at the cottage every Sunday instead! There are many paths to clear and the plan is to get them done before the walking season begins. Watch this space!
THE SKOPELOS TO PANORMOS TRAIL
The portion of track from Moutero church to the spring and the portion beyond Moutero down into the Panormos valley, are now OPEN! There is only one portion remaining and that is at the start; Kambos valley up to Rachis. Only problem is, there’s an illegal fence blocking the way. SCAN representatives have an apointment with a solicitor next week, who will be sending a letter to the owner, inviting him to take it down!
International path discs will be ordered shortly (a yellow arrow with a footprint in the center) and installed along the route. It will only remain to GPS the entire trail and incorporate onto the map, which will be available at the SCAN kiosk throughout the season.
DRY STONE WALL REPAIRS
Another productive Sunday. Just Richard, my co-volunteer, and myself . Last week we had two tourists help us, which made a big difference.
The image shows Richard mending a dry stone wall. It took him three Sundays to complete.
This stretch of path, from near the spring at Moutero to the Panagia church at Moutero, is nearly finished; one more Sunday should do it. We keep saying we’re going to give ourselves a day off, but we never do!
PATH CLEARING AT MOUTERO
In case you wonder how I spend my Sunday’s…..
At the last SCAN charity meeting, my request for help was forthcoming in the form of a E750 budget! So, I bought this strimmer which had it’s inaugriation this afternoon! It cleared so quickly, I might even get all the paths done before next May!
To give you some idea of what we’re up against, here is a ‘before’ image. Could do with some more volunteers; but you can’t have everything!