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.
Tag Archives: Pitsilia
Newcomers and Existing Members and all together 10 – Madari Selladi 30 May
The club was delighted on Saturday 30 May to have welcomed 3 new members, who took the decision over the lockdown to experience The Cyprus Strollers! The combination of 2 hikes on Selladi Karamanli took place under optimal weather conditions, and participants quickly blended into one team, with existing members extending warm hospitality to the newcomers. The meal which followed was a very rewarding treat, served with strict observance of the hygiene code at Fountoukia taverna.
Odd Name, Delightful Hike – Kourtellorotsos 23 Nov.
A very large and youthful group of Strollers, incl. several new members, ignored the oddity of the name and hiked on Kourtellorotsos on Saturday 23 November, in splendid weather. Let the photos do the talking, with compliments to Maria, Antonis, Panayiotis and Stathis. Join us on 1 Dec. at Kykkos https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/kykkos-xistarouda-1-dec/
Bagful of wild mushrooms from you know who
Pink Paeonies, Purple Vetch and White Butterflies – 11 May
There was a feast of colours entertaining the group of Strollers who achieved the toughest trail on the island, the Grand Circle of Madari, on Saturday 11 May. This is the only trail in the entire year where we see the pink flowers of paeonies, and this time there were many more, thanks to the productive rainy season. A delightful meal at our taverna of choice capped a wonderful day out. Compliments to Christos for leading this excursion and to George and Stathis for the photos. Join us on 19 May on Troodos https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/troodos-atalanti-sunday-19-may/
Invigorating Water at Xyliatos – 17 Feb.
The excursion to Xyliatos on Sunday 17 Feb. was a multi-faceted display of the invigorating power of water. Despite the ominous weather warnings, a wonderful large number of Strollers, among us a few first timers, carrying proper rain wear, turned up cheerful; one could say we had come close to becoming lovers of the rain. Yet, miraculously, there was no rain, and that helped. It helped us take notice of a humble stream (named ’tis elias’) to our right, which this time had a good flow; it helped our passionate fb photographer climb rocks for some shots; it helped us even accept an unlikely leader for part of the walk; and it helped Satu fill-up two bags of shopping. The dam at Xyliatos, which on 27 Jan. was less than half full, now was overflowing. The meal was a rewarding experience and as if all this was not enough, we offered ourselves the after-lunch bonus of a visit to a mine lake, a five-minute drive from Ochtos taverna. Compliments to Sevag and Nicoletta for the photos. Join us on 23 Feb at Akapnou https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/akapnou-23-feb/
The Mystique of Teisia – 27 Jan.
Teisia, the destination of the outing of Sunday 27 January, has such a mystique, that no cold, no chilly wind, could keep a very large group of Strollers away from this hike. The party was cheerful and included kids and dogs and a few dozens of newcomers. The scenery provided ample compensation, with the densest population of golden oaks on the island, albeit infested with lichens; and the erect constructions of frozen magma. Compliments to Gunnar for leading this excursion and to Nicoletta, Maria, Nana and Stathis for their photos. Especial compliments also to every participant in the lunch that followed for your patience in getting seated in the crowded Fountoukia taverna; the quality of the meal was a deserved reward! Join us on 3 Feb. at Pedieos gorge https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/pedieos-gorge-mahairas-monastery-3-feb/
Thoroughly Enjoyed – 4 Nov.
Should we attribute it to pure chance? Or was it one further proof of the paradox in life, which tells that people enjoy most those things asking for our patience and perseverance? Indeed, the dedicated party of Strollers, who accepted the organizational challenges of the excursion to Stavros Agiasmati and Panagia Araka, beamed the maximum of enjoyment throughout the hike, the fruit picking, the driving, the waiting and the meal.
This outing will cling to memory for one more fact: the presence of teams of Teacher-Student, a remarkable display of loyalty to the club from Nana and George! Compliments to Taline, Maria, Daniela and Nana for their photos. Join us on 10 Nov. at Platania https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/kakopetria-agios-nicolaos-platania-10-nov/
Teacher Nana Students Stefano Marine Ulash
Teacher George Student Deborah
Dramatic Teisia – 26 Nov.
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
Wisdom of the Mountains – a Poem
The following poem is contributed by Christos, a regular Stroller. It is titled “Wisdom of the Mountains”. The photo was taken by Christos, one morning on Madari, as the moon was setting, earlier this month. Have you got a contribution to make?
There are no words when reaching the top.
There are no words while climbing towards your goal.
There are no words when you stop, turn your body, focusing, looking and experiencing a glorious sunset.
There are no words when you are hungry and eat a simple bread.
There are no words when you are thirsty and drinking the humble water.
There are no words when hugging your fellow traveller.
There are no words when changing clothes after sweating.
There are no words when you are lost and you have to decide, you then have to trust your instinct. It is the only thing you’ve got.
Even the steepest side becomes easy when we create a zigzag path.
Believe that the top is the only purpose and you then miss the journey. The real purpose of climbing is just to climb.
Believe that the journey is the only purpose and you then miss the top. The real purpose of climbing is to reach the top.
There are endless routes to the Top. Our route is only one of them, not “The One”.
Mountain is not good or bad, tall or short, green or brown. Like life they are what they are. New, every second.
There are no words, when feeling the mountain.
There are no words, when walking in the mountain.
There are no words……
A Grand Hike – Madari, 29 April
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
The Cyprus Strollers 