Epic Climb

I ordered a new guide bok the week before we left and luckily it arrived the day before the hols! Phew. It really covered so much of the area, including a walk up the mountainside to the Castle on the hill overlooking the beach of great beauty. At the start we crossed a bridge at the edge of the lagoon and saw a tortoise swimming in the water with its babies. Up one hill to a church then on following a path through a meadow which was teeming with wild flowers of every colour. Then down a path to a deserted cove, with the smallest of openings to the Ionian Sea. Had a picnic sitting there, so peaceful just us and the water breaking on the shore. Skirted the edge of the lagoon then it was the climb to the Castle. It wasn't a steep climb, and it wasn't as hot as it had been, but it was sheltered and I felt baked alive and face was beeling like a belesha beacon when got to the top. As i waited drinking water to recover, met three American youngsters who were archeology students touring Greece, and it came up in the conversation that there was a sign at the bottom of the mountain saying not to visit the castle as it was dangerous !! I missed that! Well I could see why as to get to the otherside in order to get back down to the beach side had to cross the stone equivalent of walking the plank. Six feet long about two feet wide with drops on each side and I don't like heights..... Did it though, but then there was another hairy moment where there was a steep drop into the Gorge with a practically useless rope handrail. I did have a bit of a hyperventilating moment till passed that scary bit, but Tonto helped me get over the fear of the Gorge drop. We reached the white sand at the bottom and then it was socks and shoes off and into the water. Bliss. Felt really good afterwards that had done the walk and climb up the mountainside but there were some moments I questioned whether I should have!

Later after freshening up was lovely sitting on the Veranda looking over to the Castle in the distance knowing that I had climbed up there and witnessed the spectacular view of the valley from the top.

We just stayed in Gialova that night and had tea and a wander down the shore. Cos down the shore everything's alright, me and my baby on a Sunday night . (Thanks Bruce, changed it from Saturday just to fit with the day).