Author Archives: Xenophon

Hideouts – yesterday and today – Kourdali 29 Nov.

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A variety of thoughts and feelings were generated to participants of the hike at Kourdali on 29 November; we visited several hideouts used by guerilla fighters in the liberation struggle of 1955-59, and inevitably reflected on the comparisons with present times’ confinement and lockdown from covid-19. Compliments to Andy for initiating this thoughts exchange and to Anna for the photos. For the next activity participants must be wearing face masks at all times, except during hiking per se; equally we shall be maintaining social distancing rules as prescribed https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/mahairas-lazanias-fikardou-5-dec/

“Oh what a beautiful morning… – Kionia 21 Nov.

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…oh what a beautiful day, we had a marvelous feeling, everything was going our way”. These verses, from the popular song in the ‘Oklahoma’ musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein inspired and summarise the hike of 21 November along the Kionia-Prophitis Elias trail. We passed 3 landscapes, one rocky in fog, the second in a forest, the third with bushes under the sun rays. We spotted the endemic Cyprus cyclamen flower and admired all the colours of autumn, in the leaves turning from green to yellow to reddish to brown, before their fall. The meal which followed was a deserved reward, in a restaurant with an attractive décor, after a 5+ hours of effort. Compliments to Antonis for leading this activity and to Yannis and Anna for the photos. Join us on 29 Nov. at Spilia https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/kourdali-spilia-29-nov/ 

Over the Rainbow – Madari 15 Nov.

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A very lively group of Strollers, from a multitude of nationalities, including several newcomers, left Nicosia and Larnaca under very heavy rainfall, to be compensated on Madari in multiple ways. We hiked in light rain for the first 20 min. Up on the watch tower a most unusual phenomenon appeared before our eyes, a splendid rainbow extended from the valley up to the clouds, lasted for a long time, and it all seemed to lie below us! From the next mountain top we took in good views of Kyperounda and other forbidden lands in Limassol district, and felt the absence of Gunnar, our original walk leader, who lives in the locked down lands, along several other members. The circle around Teisia was conducted entirely in bright light, while lunch was the cheerful climax of the day. Compliments to Sevag and Antonis for the photos. Join us on 21 Nov. at Kionia https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/kionia-prophitis-elias-21-nov/ 

Important message to participants of the 15 Nov. hike

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Due to the government measures which shut down the districts of Limassol and Paphos, we regret to announce that our walk leader, Gunnar, cannot be with us on the day. Xenophon will take charge, in his place. We further announce new driving instructions to get to the walk start, from Nicosia; please ignore the originally published route, which passes the villages of Palekhori and then Agros; there will be road blocks, given Agros lies in Limassol district. Visit the updated page https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/madari-teisia-15-nov/ and print the new instructions. If you prefer, meet Xenophon at the Nicosia meeting point, but be on time, and have the printout with you, we cannot drive in a convoy. If you are driving from the Larnaca area, the safest option is to leave home earlier, and get to the Nicosia meeting point.

Clouds at last – Mahairas South 7 Nov.

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We had to wait until 7 Nov. to enjoy an excursion in moderate temperatures and under the protection of clouds. The weather lifted the spirits of the group at Mahairas, so much so that some of us dared sneak inside the cave. Compliments to the picnickers, and to Yannis, Anna, Maria and Antonis for the photos. Join us on 15 Nov. at Madari https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/madari-teisia-15-nov/

Youth is not a matter of age – Amiantos 1 Nov.

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A massive turnout, under the covid-19 circumstances, and multinational, took the challenge of a short, tough hike, followed by a second, romantic hike, largely on the banks of a small river, on Sunday 1 November. The river’s name ‘Loumata Aeton’ refers to some past sightings of eagles bathing in its waters. Perhaps this, combined with a good river flow, which enabled our several crossings stepping on stones, as well as the inspiring scenery brought out the innocent, playful child hiding in each adult, as the photos testify. Participants were amply rewarded by the lunch that followed. Compliments to Antonis for leading this outing, and to Anna and Maria for the photos. Join us on Mahairas on 7 Nov. https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/mahairas-south-slopes-2-hikes-7-nov/

Hiking, in times of covid-19 Troodos 24 Oct.

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“They are talking about banning black house cleaners from coming”, someone said. Another said the disease “was spreading through banknotes that passed from hand to hand”; yet another spoke about “the mail brought by the postman”. An excerpt from a recent article relating a past epidemic. The photo shows one of the several treats bestowed on the participants of the hike of 24 October on Troodos. Join us on 1 November on Amiantos https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/amiantos-hrysovrysi-and-loumata-aeton-2-hikes-1-nov/

Partake in the Cheer – Check-in Feature

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A full-length feature in the popular magazine Check-in presents The Cyprus Strollers (in Greek). Read it here https://cyprus-strollers.org/in-the-news/check-in-magazine-feature/ Below, photos from the excursion of 18 Oct. at Platania, with compliments to Anna and Maria for the photos. Join us on 24 Oct at Pouziaris https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/pouziaris-troodos-24-oct/ and remember to send in your registration (there will be no mid-week e-mail reminder).

The Goodness of Prodromos – 10 Oct

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A cheerful group of Strollers, including new members, hiked the very charming Zoumi-Stavroulia trail on Prodromos on Saturday 10 October. Among the rewards were the sighting of the first crocus flowers of the season, captivating long views, a forest as dense as you can find on the island, the spirited conversations along the way as well as over lunch. Compliments to Antonis and Yannis for the photos. Join us on 18 Oct at Platania and remember to send in your registration (there will be no mid-week e-mail reminder) https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/platania-agios-nicolaos-18-oct/

The Club that brings out the Best in People – Artemis 4 Oct.

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A very large turnout, made up of long-standing members and newcomers, people of all age groups, from 8 years up, and from a multitude of nationalities, hiked Artemis on Sunday 4 October, at the resumption of regular activities post-covid lockdown. Participation was in flesh as well as in spirit, with tenderness as well as elation.

There were members who arrived quite late at hike start, yet respected their lunch booking and were compensated by all the joy at the table. There was a member who put the call of duty and solidarity above some bodily ache. There was the very touching joining of hands along the path by mother and son. There were many spirited exchanges over lunch. And there was an impromptu somersault by a most lovable young member, to cap it all! A collection of moments no camera can capture.

Compliments to Nicos for leading the event and to Antonis, Anna and Yannis for the photos. Join us on 11 Oct at Prodromos and remember to send in your registration (there will be no mid-week e-mail reminder) https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/prodromos-zoumi-stavroulia-10-oct/