4 Sep 2025

THIS AND THAT

by | posted in: Monthly roundup | 0

On 17 September 2024, the mayor wrote to inform me that the Ministry had approved 600,000 euros for the Trails project, submitted some 4 years previously. I was then informed that the work had been put out to tender, the result of which would be by the end of June this year. I have now learnt that the amount of 275,000 euros has been allocated for the trails project and will be finalized by the end of September. Draw your own conclusions.

The first volunteer of the autumn season arrives on Sunday. Her name is Kirsten and she’s from Germany.

I’ve been asked several times, even though it is mentioned on this website, where my books can be purchased locally. Hoharoupa stationery shop, Puesto coffee shop are open all year round and carry stocks plus Juices & Books (summer only).

For those who don’t subscribe to social media (those who do can stop reading now) I have been finding eggs placed in the same location in Myli over a period of about 2 years now. On hiking this trail recently, there was not only two more eggs but also a clove of garlic. Among the comments, Sue has suggested it may be a folklore. Such things are often peculiar to certain countries and I’ve no idea if this one is for Greece and apart from the Blue Eye and strings of garlic, I’m not aware of any other protective measures folk here take.

Two more plus clove of garlic
2 Jul 2025

BITS & PIECES

by | posted in: General Announcements, Uncategorized | 2

Guided hikes have had to be suspended due to the intense heat; even evening time doesn’t cool down enough. I’m sorry to all those who have contacted me wanting a guided hike but I really don’t think it’s a good idea. And to those who want to see the bridge at Kriavrissi – there is no phone signal in the Gorge, the narrow trail we created is crumbly and should you fall, you will certainly break something or worse, as it’s a long way down. The bridge itself should not be walked upon.

The Trail project for signs and maps was submitted in 2021. After the field work, a study was created and went through the various government departments for approval and in September 2024, €600,000 was allocated. In January of this year, it went to auction to see who would carry out the required work. The result was supposed to have been published by the end of June. That has been and gone and I still haven’t been informed of the outcome.

In preparation for the next Skopelos Trails publication, the theme of which will be Mammals and Bats of Skopelos, we are looking for images of any mammals, dead or alive. So that would include, hares, hedgehogs, martens, rats and other rodents. A GPS location of where the image was taken would also be very handy. A photo credit will be given for any images used. Also, a reminder that any horned viper sightings are also required for use by the University of Thessaloniki Biology department.

Learn some local names: Dymaka – near Ag Reginos Pirgos. Vothana – the pond near the Skopelos Experience, Loutsa

Thanks to George Papalapas who has repaired and restored the vandalized bench at Michalakis. What to say about the brain-dead idiots who damaged it. …

3 Jun 2025

JANUARY-MAY NEWS

by | posted in: 2025 Clearing, Karia trail, path clearing, publications, The Retsina Trail, Uncategorized, Volunteers, Volunteers, Wildlife conservation | 0

At last our latest publication, over a month later than expected, has arrived and is on the shelves. We are very happy with the result, after putting in a lot of hard work plus toing and froing between us and the printer. We have already started on our next publication which will hopefully be ready by Easter 2026.

We started trail clearing this year on 24 January and stopped 23 May. In spite of a lot of rain in February, altogether, I worked 42 days and with the help of three Workaway volunteers throughout that period and six others, we reopened and carried out maintenance on the following trails:

Vouno Glossa, The Gorge, Klima to Kosta, Ag Marina, Anania, Dymaka, Platanakia, Abuzali, Myli spring, Moutero, Petrovrissi, Prof. Ilias church, Djelili, Karyia and Skleri.

I’d like to mention and thank my Workawayers: Chris Stofel from Austria, who played a huge part in reopening the old Gorge trail from Djelili to Kriavrissi, Sina and Jana from Germany plus local helpers Marko Kazandzic, Thomas and his wife Andrea, Chris and his wife Angela plus Johan Uthus.

We start again in September.