Our excursion in the fields of Kornos on Saturday 21 December offered a merry time to all, adults, minors and dogs; even one domestic dog in the area, which so much liked our jolly mood, that it joined along for much of the hike. Given this atmosphere, the walk leader added the unscheduled gift of the visit to the old double-arched bridge, by somewhat extending the length of the hike. Lunch was a splendid reward, with extraordinary dishes that delighted all. Compliments to Stathis for the photos. Best wishes to all readers for a joyful holiday. Be back on 12 January 2020.

A brave team of Strollers tackled the threat of rain on Sunday 15 December appropriately equipped, and hiked round Larnaca’s Salt Lake. The rewards were plenty: the flamingos, the ducks, some sunshine, and not a drop of rain. Lunch was a well deserved fish and seafood meal, accompanied by white wine. Compliments to George for the photos. Join us on 21 Dec. for the final activity of 2019 https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/kornos-21-dec/

Only the calendar would tell it was winter on Saturday 7 December, when a very large gathering of Strollers, many dressed in short sleeves, walked along the eastern coast of Limassol and climbed up to the archaeological site of Amathus. Participants were rewarded by a gourmet fish lunch. Compliments to Koula for leading this activity and to Stathis, Nicoletta, Antonis and Panayiotis for the photos. Join us on 15 Dec. to visit the flamingoes https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/larnaca-salt-lake-15-dec/

There were thrills galore on the outing to Kykkos on Sunday 1 December; the hikers reached a stream, in surroundings worthy of the National Geographic; discovered a rare specimen of Cyprus truffle mushrooms; had humorous moments and views of the wonderful palette of autumn colours; and were rewarded for the strenuous climbing by a rich lunch at Old Cinema. Compliments to George for leading this event and to Nana, Katie, Antonis and Stathis for the photos. Join us on 7 Dec. in Limassol https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/limassol-agios-tychonas-seafront-7-dec/

The large group of Strollers on Sunday 17 November along the Platania – Kyperounda trail were offered a rare reward: the sighting of a terebinth tree attacked by wasps, and the defense mechanism the plant had developed, in what looked like an attractive pericarpium, in its effort to enclose the attackers. Viewed differently, one further example of what is sensational to the eye is often deceptively empty of worth. Can you think of another club which attracts such breadth of knowledge and offers such blend of hiking with socialising and stretching of the mind and imagination? Compliments to Vakis for this botanical illumination and to Panayiotis and Stathis for their photos. Join us on 23 Nov to discover Kourtellorotsos https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/panagia-araka-kourtellorotsos-23-nov/

not beauty

terebinth defense

Celebrating the 30th anniversary from the fall of the Berlin Wall on Saturday 9 November, a very large group of Strollers, from diverse nationalities, hiked in Platres, under a rather hot sun. Exchanges over lunch varied from a comparison with divided Nicosia; to places threatened by the rising sea level, where building a wall seems to be a measure for good; to the brave steps taken by the Nobel Peace prize winner 2019, Prime Minister of Ethiopia Mr. Abiy Ahmed, who brought peace with neighbouring Eritrea, as so touchingly recounted by Selam. Compliments to Dimos, Panayiotis and Stathis for the photos. Join us on 17 Nov. at Platania https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/platania-kyperounda-17-nov/

It’s hard to imagine an easier and more enjoyable way to cover 13 kilometres, than the route along the dirt road from Platania towards Agios Nicolaos, on Sunday 3 November.

The large group of Strollers once again spanned several nationalities and age groups, who could all enjoy this very accommodating hike. The forest, the partly cloudy skies and the flowing conversations made the moderate uphill and downhill sections even smoother, allowing us to fully enjoy the natural features of this area, where autumn makes a clear statement: we could hear the stream burbling in the river bed below, the strawberry trees were heavy with their ripe red berries, and the high plane trees – Platanus – were preparing to shed their yellow-orange-brown leaves.

As always, we made regular brief stops to reunite the first Strollers with the last and keep the group together. After the walk it was only a few minutes’ drive to a nearby taverna for a shared meal and impressions of the day, in good spirit. Compliments to Dina for creating this summary and to Panayiotis and Stathis for the photos. Join us on 9 Nov. at Platres https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/platres-mesa-potamos-9-nov/