As we are experiencing Siberian blasts of frigid wind and snow blizzards here in the UK, it seems a good day to review the warmest, sunniest January day on our recent trip to Crete.
Armed with our book, Circular Walks in East Crete we drove over the hills to the village of Kalamafka where our Three Church walk started.
Glorious sunshine had us striding up a well-defined path. After getting a glimpse of the first church the path teased us by turning away with a long, calf pulling uphill stretch.
How sad, well-intentioned internal repairs have ruined frescos.
An overgrown path led from this church to the next one. As the instructions said we’d need to retrace our steps, we decided not to risk falling down a gully, so this became a two church walk.
From here we looked across to the rock edifice topped with our destination church, yet another Timios Stavros, meaning Holy Cross. Alan spent ages with his binoculars trying to see the path to the top… he couldn’t so we set off again. We soon found ourselves enjoying a spell of easy walking along a gravel track. For the second time on this walk, the route took us away from our destination.
On a steady incline we enjoyed seeing more of the scenery open up and guessed we’d soon see both the north and south coasts at the same time.
So beautiful, and without a breath of wind, people or distracting noises it felt very special.
After passing an agricultural area, we followed a hard to find down hill path. I nearly trod on these Sand Crocus. Stephen Lenton, an amateur botanist has a brilliant website and if you want to see the entry for this plant, or ID a plant yourself, Click Here.
Once on flatter ground, we enjoyed a breather before our climb up. Phew, it wasn’t a vertical climb all the way as the path zigzagged to the top.
At the top we enjoyed our picnic lunch feeling on top of the world looking down on the north and south coasts with the important wetlands of the Bramiana Dam and Lake too. Ah, that’s given me a good idea for another walk…
What about you? Where do your thoughts go on a wintry day?
Kritsa, at the heart of it all 
Yvonne i love those walks you do and write about, but blimey girl it makes me so jealous 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Keep it going x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, thank you, Wayne. Feedback from you always means so much. x
LikeLike
Here in Northern California March has definitely come in like a lion. I’m planning to make a casserole while we still have power! Stay warm and keep dreaming of other places!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jan. Chicken casserole is just the job. Reading your post made me think…and went to find a candle and matches, just in case. x
LikeLike
Hello Yvonne, just another wonderful walk you made and everytime I´m interested to read. Knowing Kalamafka very well, but never saw this circular path. Lovely !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Peko, thanks for leaving a comment. The path is beyond Kalamafka, just after the graveyard. The track is signposted Timios Stavros. x
LikeLike
Reblogged this on stevedanielsincrete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely walk Yvonne. I must look out Circular Walks in East Crete sometime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the reblog, Steve. I can thoroughly recommend the walking guide. x
LikeLike
It seems I still have a lot of hiking to do….!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Wim! Happy to be a guide. x
LikeLike
Gorgeous photos, Yvonne. Could do with a dose of all that !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jane. After the eastern blasts hit us all in the UK last week it seems impossible this lovely day was in January. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have missed winter months in Greece this year. Makes a difference!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Certainly breaks up the winter. Hope you get a trip next year. X
LikeLike
We’re heading into winter here in Australia, and compared to the northern hemisphere, our winters are mild. However, I’m not a fan of winter and being stuck inside.
Thank you for a great post. I do enjoy reading your articles and living vicariously through your day trips 😀 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I appreciate your feedback. Let’s hope your winter is kind to you. x
LikeLiked by 1 person