Majestic Waterfall and Views – 2 Hikes 13 May

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A spectacular sight greeted the Strollers below the picturesque village of Platres on Saturday, 13 May. The Myllomeris waterfall is apparently the tallest in Cyprus with a 15 metre drop, and its effect on us was mesmerizing and awe-inspiring. Some Strollers stood on the bridge, others perched on rocks and tree trunks, but everyone’s eyes were riveted on the tumbling, sparkling iridescence falling into a clear pool below. There was such joy and energy in that body of water cascading down the rocks!
We eventually dragged ourselves away for our second stroll at Kampos Livadiou near Troodos. Here tall dark pines gave us welcome shade with occasional open views towards Morphou. It was a circular even path but tricky to find at times, however Xenophon, expert leader that he is, led us back to our cars and to yet another feast at a nearby taverna, where we enjoyed vegetarian, fish and meat dishes and, as ever, wonderful fellowship.

Compliments to Mary for the summary above, and to Kate, Nicos, Nicos and Marios for the photos. Join us on 21 May at Caledonian https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/troodos-kryos-potamos-caledonian-waterfall-pouziaris-trail-sunday-21-may/

Flowers Allover – Fikardou 7 May

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A feast of flowers adorned the path of the Cyprus Strollers on the hike from Fikardou to Lazanias and then Mahairas, on Sunday 7 May. With the sun shining throughout, and temperatures higher than desired, participants displayed their best spirit and stamina and were rewarded with views of a beautiful landscape, the well preserved roofs of the houses in the two villages and a superb meal at the end. Compliments to Laurent for leading this outing and to Nana and Kate for the photos. Join us on 13 May on Troodos https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/troodos-platres-myllomeris-waterfall-and-kampos-livadiou-two-trails-sat-13-may/

cow’s parsley

rock rose purple flowers

rock rose white flowers

wild garlic

Mahairas monastery

A Grand Hike – Madari, 29 April

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The excursion of Saturday 29 April, involving the Grand Circle of Madari hike was grand in every respect (scenery, vegetation, exercise, length, companionship), and truly rewarding for the Strollers who took on the challenge. Join us on 7 May at Fikardou https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/mahairas-lazanias-and-fikardou-trail-sunday-7-may/.

Orchids

Two Beauties, Resting at a stop

Rewarding Hike: Platania-Kyperounda 23 April

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All participants enjoyed the varied pleasures of the hike of Sunday 23 April from Platania to Kyperounda; the good company, which included 6 newcomer Strollers, the healthy forest, the purple orchid, the scenic views, the exercise, and the rich lunch feast at the end. To epitomise the mood, ‘no two hikes are the same, even if we are revisiting a trail’ declared George; to which Stylianos replied ‘I will definitely come again’! Compliments to Marios and Koula for the photos. Join us on 29 April on Madari https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/madari-grand-circle-sat-29-april/

Good Friday Stroll: 7+2 Epitaphios in Old Nicosia

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A custom from our childhood years came to being on Good Friday (14 April), when an impromptu stroll was conducted around Nicosia Within-the-Walls. During the afternoon, and before the start of the evening church service, we visited 7 Orthodox churches, the Maronite church and the Catholic church of the Holy Cross, and venerated their Epitaphios. Let the photos do the talking. Best wishes for a Happy Easter.

Agios Antonios

Agios Ioannis

Agios Kassianos

Chrysaliniotissa

Agios Savvas

Trypiotis

Phaneromeni

Caraffa Bastion

Maronite

Holy Cross

Two Peaks and One Cave – 8 April Hike

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A cloudy sky and a gentle wind, which prevented precipitation, contributed to the enjoyment of two hikes on the south slopes of Mahairas, on Saturday 8 April. The club wishes you a Happy Easter. Join us on 23 April at Platania https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/platania-kyperounda-doxa-si-o-theos-sunday-23-april/

Strollers with Sense and Sensibility – Pitsilia Hike 2 April

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A small group of Strollers displayed exemplary sense and sensibility on Saturday 2 April concerning the picturesque hike from Stavros Agiasmati to Panagia Araka. Defying the forecast of rain, and comfortable with the driving instructions, we were all appropriately prepared and copiously rewarded, since rain fell in Nicosia and Limassol, but there was not a drop on our path; proof of the general rule that luck is on the side of those who dare. Among the delights of the outing we had several instances of flowering orchids, Arabis purpurea, asphodels, milk vetch and almond trees; carpets of vivid green mosses and masses of tiny yellow-blue wild peas. There were also amazing vistas; at every turn the views changed; sometimes we were looking at sheer rocks, sometimes thick forest, then the distant bay of Morphou, the majestic Madari mountains and the villages of Platanistasa, Alona on the left, Lagoudera and Saranti on the right, nestling below the peaks. The meal at Fountoukia taverna was a well-deserved treat, with delicious and seemingly endless meze dishes, their potato chips which rank among the best on the island, and creamy sweets to finish off an unforgettable day. Compliments to Mary for contributing to this write-up and to Marios for the photos. Join us on 8 April at Mahairas https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/mahairas-south-slopes-two-hikes-sat-8-april/

Mahairas Mountains in all their Springtime Glory: Prophitis Elias Hike – 25 March

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We set off from the abandoned, wistful-looking monastery climbing up along the winding ridge towards Kionia, through a riot of wild flowers and panoramic views. The clear day presented us with beautiful open vistas of pine covered slopes, angular rock formations and distant views of the sea. The higher we climbed, the more impressive became the jagged rocks with their clumps of delicate, purple Arabis Purpurea flowers, known by the more romantic name of Tears of Jesus’s Mother. During our hike we moved from bright sunlight to dappled shade, from Golden Oaks glistening in the sun, to the stillness of the forest where tall pines spread their aromatic scent and whispered in the gentle breeze. The last couple of kilometers downhill were more challenging but we eventually sat down to a veritable feast at Steki tou Marinou to enjoy home-cooked starters, delicious vegetables and fish and, more importantly, very convivial company. The red wine flowed and Xenophon called upon a number of the group to say a few words to capture the highlights of the day. All Strollers cheered Ian, our very capable leader on this rather tough, yet most enjoyable hike. Compliments to Mary for this write-up and to Christine, Marios and Patrick for the photos. Join us on 2 April on Pitsilia https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/pitsilia-stavros-tou-agiasmati-panagia-tou-araka-linear-trail-sunday-2-april/.

Multicolour Experience – Cape Greco 19 March

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The two hikes at Cape Greco on Sunday 19 March offered the large group of Strollers a multicolour experience. Many flowers had put on their best, to welcome our well-timed visit: yellow and white anemones, yellow mimosas, white sea squills, yellow wild mustard, white wild garlic, purple rosemary and irises. On top of this, we enjoyed the turquoise sea, all along the trails. Compliments to George for leading this excursion and to Michael and Kate for the photos. Join us on 25 March at Prophitis Elias https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/prophitis-elias-kionia-hike-sat-25-march/.

Hike at Kato Drys Canceled – 11 March

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Today’s hike is canceled, owing to the weather forecast of thunderstorms. The same weather is forecast for tomorrow, Sunday. Apologies to members who had planned to attend. The decision was taken in consultation with the walk Leader. Join us next Sunday at Cape Greco https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/cape-greco-konnos-bay-circular-walk-and-cyclops-cave-walk-sunday-19-march/