Path Clearing Mission At Elies
Oh my! I never thought I’d get this post started let alone finished! Last Thursday a small group of us went on a path clearing mission at Elies, which is at the top end of Zakynthos. Despite my initial concern that I really didn’t have the time to spare, it was just what the Doctor ordered. The weather was good, the company was better and it was fun.
Every Sunday we enjoy a walk with the Zakynthos Walking Group, but mid-week walks are my favourite. With fewer people, they are more intimate and much more challenging as we are usually exploring places and we often we have no idea what’s around the next bush/track/hill. This winter there have been very few mid-week walks… I blame it on the weather!
The mission was to head out for a hike and clear some of the overgrown paths along the route. Five people armed with three loppers, a dog and a camera (plus food), it was bound to be fun!
The plan had been to share around twenty photos in this post, but it was such a pretty and interesting walk I had to share more, so be warned this is a very photo rich post!
Now come see what we saw…
Our Path Clearing Mission At Elies
Elies is situated at the top end of Zakynthos, slightly further on than Port St Nicolas.
Taking a moment to survey the lie of the land.
Every now and again it’s good to get out and clear the walking trails.
My Husband tenderly clips away the undergrowth. Just look at that focus!
Head down and on to the next part.
“Did I miss a bit?”
With that bit done, it was onwards and upwards.
Spring Was All Around Us
Just for you, Derek!
How pretty is that?
A bumblebee doing what bumblebees do in spring and this wasn’t the first one I have photographed this year.
Zakynthos suffered some terrible wildfires last summer. Even after such devastation, the bushes are showing signs of life again.
Onwards We Trotted
Fortunately, some parts of the island were untouched by the fires.
In some directions, there was greenery for as far as the eye could see.
The Damage Caused By The Wildfires
Kefalonia looked within spitting distance and as you can see the vegetation around us was lost in last summers fires.
To think that some of the wildfires on Zakynthos were started deliberately beggars belief. A superficial layer of green will return, but the wildlife and trees will take years and years to regenerate.
Surveying the damaged land.
It was time to find somewhere to sit and eat before I ate the dog!
We Do Discover Churches In The Oddest Of Places
Can you imagine how beautiful this old cottage would be if it were renovated?
We do find churches in the oddest of places. This one must have ‘belonged’ to the old cottage.
The inside of the church was typical of a small Orthodox church. I have no idea how old this one was, but I’m guessing it’s pretty old.
Time For Lunch… Yay!
Where better than in the middle of an olive grove for a picnic?
Even Flossy seemed keen for a spot of lunch.
Replenished, We Carried On
With our bellies full it was time to venture on. I’ll never get sick of that view of the coastline of Zakynthos.
Kefalonia looming in the distance looks almost close enough for us to walk to.
Out come the loppers to clear one last path.
There’s a striking resemblance to the Seven Dwarfs, don’t you think?
Which way now? A good job Jo knew the way!
This photo did make me laugh, even the dog’s watching and learning how to trim a bush with precision!
The daisy trails made me smile too. Happy smiles.
Eventually, it was time to head back to the cars.
Where were these goats when we needed them? They’re built for clearing trails!
These old stone cottages have so much character.
Five hours and over ten kilometres later we arrive back at the cars, worn out, but happy.
There you have it, our path clearing mission at Elies in photos… I did warn you there were plenty!
© 2018, Debbie. All rights reserved.
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Greece • Greek Island • my photographs • Walking On Zakynthos • wildlife and nature • Zakynthos • Zante
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