On Sunday 14 December 2014, just one day after the heavy rainfall on Larnaca, the Cyprus Strollers walked around the Salt Lake; the Kamares start was flooded, and so we drove to an adjacent starting point; and what a contrast, there was no rain at all over the entire stroll; the outing ended with a meal of fresh fish on the Meneou sea front. Compliments to Anastasia for her early morning scouting of the area for damages. Compliments also to Marla for the photos.
The Cyprus Strollers welcomed several newcomers and their youngest member, Jessica’s newborn boy, on Saturday 6 December 2014. We strolled around Athalassa park on a sunny afternoon, and also visited the pond. No photos, unfortunately.
There was lots of sparkle on Troodos on 30 November 2014, as the Cyprus Strollers walked the Persephone trail: at last, there was snow (not a lot) on the slopes around us; and a bright sun above; and a very clear horizon as we reached the wonderful viewpoint at Makria Kontarka, allowing us to see as far as the Salt Lake at Akrotiri; lunch at Louis taverna was a pleasant reward.
Admiring the view at Makria Kontarka
Cedrus brevifolia, the endemic Cyprus Cedar tree
A marvelous group of Strollers went once more to the mountains, despite the ‘discouraging’ weather forecast for Saturday 15 November; we rejoiced at the sky blue sky and modest sunshine that welcomed us on Madari; we walked close to the geological wonder of ‘Teisia’ and admired the erect wall-like structures, the result of volcanic eruption deep inside the Earth’s mantle; we climbed up to the Watch Tower, the tallest point on the Madari range at 1620 m, and cast our eyes all around; the trail followed a dense forest area, rich in golden oaks and junipers; we spotted the delicate flowers of the Cyprus cyclamen; for the last half hour the clouds that gathered above changed into a fine drizzle and some fog, adding one more excitement to the landscape.
Teisia in front, Watch Tower high up
On the 25th anniversary from the demolishing of the Berlin Wall, the Cyprus Strollers walked in the only remaining divided capital city in Europe, with a wish that we may see the end of Nicosia’s division too. The day was so bright, and the Pedieos river banks trail enjoyable, with plenty of shade from the trees and some water flowing in the river, following the recent rainfalls.
We were a brave group, which walked in rain for the initial half hour or so in Mahairas forest on Saturday, 1 November. The rewards were plentiful: the sun came out, mushrooms were abundant, we spotted the first cyclamen flowers at one place, and saw the flight of a partridge family on our left, just before ‘conquering’ Kionia summit, with its dominant telecommunications sphere. The picnic was plentiful, with a large variety of goodies, and spirits flowing high, aided by the bottle of Cidre de Normandie, which we happily shared. Compliments to Aphrodite and Andreas for the photos.
Appetite for a well-deserved picnic
Just before conquering Kionia summit
Fun at the picnic site
A large, brave and spirited group defied all warnings about bad weather, and walked the Artemis circular trail on Troodos mountain, on 26 October. There were Strollers from 9 different nationalities! The weather came on our side, and there wasn’t a drop of rain.
500-years old pine tree
We had a fulfilling hike in Adelphi pine forest on 18 October, with the weather on our side; lunch was a superb experience at Forviotissa taverna and a super deal.
There was a fantastic turnout at Mahairas forest on a cloudy 12 October. After about one hour’s climb, we got caught up in rain, just as we were passing by the roofed stone shelter at Moutti Arkoelias hilltop, at an elevation of 880 m. We had a cheerful time inside the shelter, while we waited for the rain to stop. Some 20 minutes later, the group took the return path back, and was rewarded by a rainbow and a sumptuous meal at a nearby taverna.
The Cyprus Strollers 