We’ve been very busy during the last weeks. The track/calderimi from near Prof. Ilias leading down into the Glysteri valley has been cleared and widened, the track from the dump down into the Glysteri valley has been worked on as has the Psimisia gully, Pirgos. We are currently working on the calderimi near Epermacho, Potami leading to Skopelos stavrodromo.

Say Hi to Jessica from Michigan,  USA who will be volunteering until the end of June.

With co-operation from the Elios local council, we plan to have a few volunteers from Workaway to help us clear the old calderemi (stone path) from Pirgos down to Platanakia. This path is in excellent condition, affording beautiful views and it would be fantastic to get it open and in use. Councilor Mary Diamantis will accommodate our volunteers, arrange meals and the loan of the tools we will need for this project. It will take place in April. If you are interested in helping out, if only for a few hours, please contact me.

It is also hoped to re-open the valley path from Tjelili up to Karia. Who wants to walk on the new superhighway when we can walk in the steps of the Skopelitis of old in the safety of a cool valley.

Inspired by a couple on holiday who volunteer for the UK Bat Trust, I hope to run evening bat walks. So little is known on the island about these fascinating creatures. I hope to identify which species we actually have. Three possible types have already been identified. If you have had an experience/encounter with bats on Skopelos, please tell me your story.

I’ve been asked by the local authorities to GPS the location of all the ancient calderimia for prosperity. I was going to do this anyway as I now have the technology! This information will be posted on this site as it becomes available to help self-guided hikers.

Finally, I am told that boards with trail information will be appearing shortly around the island. I found this out by accident. My input was not asked. Nor was I asked for advice before the terrible, new stone paths were constructed. Do I sound bitter?!

A good start to the Autumn season with this lovely group of people.

My volunteer, Wiebke from Germany is on the extreme left of the large group. She was wonderful and I couldn’t have reopened the Moutero church section of calderemi without her help. We worked off and on most days, for 2 weeks. I can’t remember ever having been able to use this bit of path. There was a complaint about where we put the clippings from a very grouchy man, which left a bad feeling after our initial elation of a job well done.

Five portions of various routes were finally cleared.

Many of these little chaps were found on walls all along the Old Stafilos Road. I wonder if they were put there by students who were on the island carrying out a study on our lizard population. Who knows!

Yesterday I did my best to clear the calderimi from the top of Anania hill down to the asphalt road, Pirgos. It was jungle and I got extremely scratched. However, it is now at least passable.

This morning I visited the town hall to ask for help. I can see that if this route doesn’t get some heavy, serious clearing, it will go the same way as the route from Ag Reginos church, Pirgos down the Elios. Baby Pefkia trees get seeded and start growing between the stones and then they can’t be removed easily as the roots take hold. The route then closes totally.  I spoke to a new guy, Iannis Anastasiou, and he agreed to help. I can’t believe this is actually going to happen. When I spoke to the Mayor earlier this month, he said that nothing would be happening regarding path clearing. I told him that I’d thought about getting volunteers via the Workaway website. I don’t mind who helps – I’m not fussy! Watch this space.

Hi Folks

My friend Pam Batters came all the way from Australia to help me clear paths! We spent a couple of days working and now the route from the Djilili spring to the Glysteri road is now open. It was a jungle. Matters weren’t helped because the workers who had made the ‘new’ path had blocked the valley route entrance. Also worth mentioning is the fact that Spiro Kosma has opened his fences. He now has self-closing gates using old batteries as weights. This is to keep the free Fallow Deer in their enclosure. He changes their enclosure only during period end of April/beginning of May when they shead their antlers, which he then collects. Should you be walking the dog, please keep on a lead when entering the enclosure.

Down at the spring, we had the privilege of observing a Bittern. It was just sitting on the spring..

We also cleared a small portion of track in Potami. It’s the bit that cuts off the corner of Diakopi.