Pancyprian appeal of Pedieos – 16 Dec.

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Fine weather accompanied us on the Pedieos river trail, our final walk of 2017. A large group, not only from Nicosia but also Limassol, Larnaca, Aradippou and Paralimni put aside Christmas preparations and shopping, and gathered to walk for three hours along the river banks. Patrick led this pleasant stroll by tall eucalyptus trees, flowering bougainvillea and climbing vines.

Mid-way we stopped for a seasonal sweet – melomacarona – to wish everyone a happy Christmas. We rounded the occasion with another fabulous meze meal.

Finally, a thought from Yuya, one Japanese visiting Stroller. He says that he loves walking groups because they are people who get together with no other motives but to make friends and enjoy nature together. Compliments to Mary for this summary and to Maria, Koula and Clara for the photos.

We hope to see you all, young and old, from near or far, on our 2018 hikes, starting on 7 January. May you have a very merry Christmas and many more delightful walks in the new year, with your favourite club.

 

International Mountain Day Celebration – Kapedes 10 Dec.

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A truly international group, including new friends from Japan, Egypt and Syria, gathered for the hike to Agios Onoufrios on the Mahairas mountains. And what a fitting celebration of International Mountain Day this was!

As Xenophon reminded us mountains are under threat. He informed us of a global meeting in Rome taking place this week to consider the problem, and of our response and responsibilities to the sustainability of mountains.

There are no easy solutions. Yet our being on this hike and similar walks, enjoying the fresh air and the centuries-old trees, marvelling at the fecundity of nature, its abundance of plant and animal life, is in itself a way of ensuring sustainability. The more we love the mountains and the more time we spend in them, the more we are likely to protect them.

We delighted in the views of mountain peaks, autumnal colours, in finding wild mushrooms and mosfila. We were also saddened to see discarded plastic rubbish and hunters’ cartridges.

Our small international group at least is fully aware of the benefits and challenges. Mountains live long after us. Let’s continue to treasure them and do our part to preserve them. A small first step is to get out there, rejoice and be uplifted by their unrivalled beauty and majesty. Compliments to Mary for this write-up, and to Patrick and Clara for the photos. Join us on 16 Dec. at Pedieos https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/pedieos-river-banks-walk-16-dec/.

pine tree bowing

 

Mountains under pressure: climate, hunger and migration

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The Cyprus Strollers celebrated the International Mountain Day with a gathering on 10 Dec., in which the following message was shared with all.

The UN declared 2002 the International Year of Mountains. From 2003 onwards, 11 December, is celebrated as “International Mountain Day”.

Mountains cover 22 percent of the earth’s land surface, and 915 million people live in mountain areas. 90% of these 915 million mountain dwellers live in developing countries, and ~ 1/3 of these people are poor and vulnerable to food shortage and insecurity.

Our mountains are threatened by their population abandoning their homes, moving to urban environments. Another serious threat is climate change; as temperatures rise, mountain glaciers are melting, and this affects our freshwater supplies. Hence the theme for this year’s International Mountain Day is climate, hunger and migration.

Some 30 years ago, while this writer was living in Switzerland, it was a shock to learn that snow was no longer falling at the time it was customarily expected, and the tourism industry was employing artificial means to create snow for skiing. One may wonder “how do these phenomena affect one living in Cyprus”. The answer is that the entire globe is no larger than a village, as far as the breadth of climate degradation goes. Recall, over 20 persons died in floods in Athens last month.

“What can one do about it”, comes another voice. There are no simple answers, and a Global Meeting is taking place from 11 – 13 Dec. 2017 in Rome, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in sustainable mountain development. This Global Meeting is expected to launch a framework to support concrete actions. It is not easy.

Having said this, at a personal, individual level, each one can continue acting responsibly, influencing others and, finally, not losing faith. As Jesus said to his disciples, in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, chapter 17: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as one grain of mustard, you can say to this mountain ‘move from here to there’, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Twin Leaders Deliver Double Bill – Limassol 2 Dec.

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Saturday 2 December was a shiny day, and co-leaders Stella and Teddy entertained a large group of Strollers along the Limassol Molos Promenade, and then to a succulent taverna meal. As if all this wasn’t enough, the beloved duet led the group to a 2nd, after-dinner stroll, a wonderful initiative, never before undertaken in this club! Join us on 10 Dec. on Mahairas https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/mahairas-walk-kapedes-agios-onoufrios-10-dec/

Dramatic Teisia – 26 Nov.

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The five kilometres of this walk turned out to be most uplifting and enjoyable for the large group of Strollers who met on Sunday 26 Nov. under dark, threatening clouds. It felt cool at the meeting point above Handria, and a number of people pulled on gloves and woolly hats. A short uphill climb took us to a panoramic viewpoint with 360 degrees of overlapping peaks and the ragged Teisia (volcanic erect formations). It was breezy but well-worth the climb. After the obligatory photos, we started to climb around the Madari mountain top. We could not believe our luck when the sun came out, warming us and making the golden oaks glisten and the unusual rock formations to appear even more dramatic. Soft, delicate lichens hugged the trees, moss was plentiful on rocks and the peacefulness of the place was tangible. Compliments to Laurent who led us very ably, with ample time to sit briefly in the sun, share spontaneous humorous moments, and a bonus visit to the church of Panagia tou Araka. The meal that followed at Fountoukia, Saranti village, was another feast of vegetarian and meat dishes and cheerful fellowship. Compliments also to Mary for creating this summary, and to Koula, Maria, Patrick and Sheri for the photos. Join us on 2 Dec. in Limassol https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/limassol-molos-promenade-sat-2-dec/

Farnaz, Laurent and a banana

 

Juniper berries

 

Till death us do part

Wonderful Trio to Kyparissia – 18 Nov.

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Ian as walk leader, flankered by Jackie and Deborah, led the Strollers up and down the hill of Kyparissia on Saturday 18 November, and offered all a wonderful experience. Join us on 26 Nov. on Madari https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/madari-teisia-circular-walk-26-nov/

Hike with a Bonus – 12 Nov. Artemis

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The largest gathering of Strollers since 29 January, participated in the excursion to Troodos on Sunday 12 November. Artemis is the highest trail in Cyprus, the day was bright and the walk leader delivered on his promise to add a bonus to the hike when, with about one kilometre left from finish, he led a large group up a quite steep slope, thus reaching the big ball at the radar on Hionistra, which is the point with the highest altitude on the island. Compliments to Christos for leading this outing and to Christine and Clara for the photos. Join us on 18 Nov. at Kyparissia https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/kyparissia-nature-trail-18-nov/.

view from highest point

 

steps away from highest point

twisted dead tree trunk

A Special Day for Yiannis – Kato Drys Hike 4 Nov.

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A large group of Strollers, of all ages, regular members and newcomers, turned up on Saturday 4 November, under fully sunny weather. The venue was Kato Drys, the hike was along dirt roads surrounding the village fields, and the host and walk leader was Yiannis, a native of Kato Drys, in his splendid conversational best. We climbed up and down, stopped at 2 small churches, and marveled at the several viewpoints. Compliments to Christine and Koula for the photos. Join us on 12 Nov. at Troodos https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/troodos-artemis-walk-12-november/

Walk Leader answering a question from Maria

Lefkara from above

Resourcefulness, Adaptability and Caring: this Club’s Spirit in Full Display on 28-29 Oct.

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The weather forecast for 29 October called for thunderstorms at Kyparissia, our scheduled venue. Ian as Walk Leader, assisted by Jackie, Deborah and the Club Organizer invested time and effort, searched for solutions and supporting reasoning, and came up with an alternative plan. The new venue was Stavrovouni, the mountain with the Monastery housing part of the Holy Cross of Christianity. The plan was expertly communicated on time, and the attendance was brilliant. And, as if by miracle, the hike was conducted entirely in dry weather. Join us on 4 Nov. at Kato Drys https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/kato-drys-hike-4-nov/

The venue for the club hike of Sunday 29 Oct. changes to Stavrovouni

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Alert to all Strollers. Due to the weather forecast for Sunday 29 October the Walk Leader, in consultation with the Club Organizer, has decided to abandon the scheduled excursion to Kyparissia. In its place, the club plans to hike tomorrow at Stavrovouni, and invites all to participate. We set off for the car drive from the Handicrafrs Centre at 9:45 am. We aim to start hiking at 10:45 am. Read the detailed instructions for Stavrovouni in the Activities Description section. Read a forecast for the weather expected north of Stavrovouni here https://weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/l/CYXX0662:1:CY. Read a forecast for the weather expected south of Stavrovouni here https://weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/l/CYXX0629:1:CY. In short, at time of writing, the hourly weather forecast is “mostly sunny/ partly cloudy”, with probability of precipitation 0%, becoming 10-15% at 2 pm. If you have registered for Kyparissia and would like to abstain from Stavrovouni, please feel free to do so, sending an sms to the Club Organizer. If you had planned to abstain from Kyparissia and wish to join us at Stavrovouni, feel welcome, sending an sms to the Club Organizer. Lunch after the Stavrovouni hike will be at a taverna we have visited and appreciated on previous occasions.