The hike of Sunday 6 Dec. took us down to the source of Pedieos river, which we crossed twice, up through the village of Lazanias and down to the heritage village of Fikardou, on a splendid day, which was superbly rounded up by a rich meal at the club’s favourite Marinos taverna in Lythrodontas. Compliments to Antonis for leading the outing. Join us on 13 Dec. round the Larnaca lake https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/larnaca-salt-lake-13-dec/
The hike on Mahairas mountain moves from Saturday 5 Dec. to Sunday 6 Dec. All other pertinent conditions remain. The weather forecast shows a distinct difference between the two days: thunderstorms at 60% probability for Saturday, partly sunny with 5% probability for rain for Sunday. Interested to participate? Send your e-mail now.
…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/
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/
Our excursion in the forest above Kapedes on Sunday 17 March produced a broad and inspired exchange of ideas and contributions from many Strollers, in celebration of the International Day of Forests (on 21 March). It was particularly touching to hear the poem recited by 12 year old Samruddhi, in English as well as in Greek, wonderfully on target, given this year’s theme of ‘Forests and Education’
A forest is a place, where peace is found in the flowers.
Where violence is lost in the air.
Where love is found in the leaves.
Where hatred is lost in the roots.
A forest is a place where a soul can forget about the world, and live its life.
Compliments to Koula, Nana, Maria and Stathis for sharing their photos. Join us on 23 March at Cape Greco https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/cape-greco-konnos-bay-23-march/
Following the unusually heavy rains of the past couple of months, the large group of Strollers along the gorge of Pedieos on Sunday 3 February marveled at the river flow, and the green landscape, which included flowering lavenders. Compliments to George for leading the outing and to Nana, Nicos, Stathis and Nicoletta for the photos. Join us on 9 Feb, at Galata https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/galata-kakopetria-9-feb/
No other club offers the unique blend of hiking with culture and fraternity that was once more evident in the excursion on the slopes of Mahairas and the dinner that followed on Sunday 25 March. Among the many thrills were the various flowers, with the abundance of lavender turning Mahairas into Lavender Hill; Clara’s gift reading about the legends explaining why the chapels of Prophitis Elias are almost always found on hill tops; and the rich meal which culminated with a serving of escargots, a true pièce de résistance. Compliments to Ian for leading this outing and to Maria and Clara for their photos. And what a rare pleasure to be able to feature a photo of our two regular photographers together smiling, below. Join us on 31 March at Lady’s Mile https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/ladys-mile-and-monastery-of-cats-in-akrotiri-salt-lake-31-march/ 
The beauty and impressiveness of the Pedieos gorge was not eclipsed on Sunday 11 February by a rather dull, mostly cloudy weather. A large group of Strollers set off to enjoy the abundant waters of the Pedieos river, winding its way down from the Mahairas mountains. We delighted in the naturally hewn rocks of the gorge and the pretty Ragged Robin purple flowers. After an uphill path we reached the Afxentiou hide out and some minutes later the Mahairas Monastery where we rested and had our picnic. Strollers, as always, shared their sandwiches, fruit and treats, before setting off for the return to the start point. This was another demanding but worthwhile hike in the beautiful and already spring-like countryside of Cyprus. Compliments to Patrick for leading the outing and writing this summary, and to Clara for the photos. Join us on 17 Feb. at Delikipos https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/delikipos-hike-17-feb/
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
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
The Cyprus Strollers 