Category: Greece

Along the Coast Road to Trachina

After our break in Kardamyli following the walk down from Exochori we headed down the coast road to its end at Trachina. There are caves along this stretch of road (not surprising as this is a limestone area). Trachina is a pretty little village, and one of the rockpools yielded a particularly good picture…

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Getting a close up of this tiny crab was a photographic highlight for me. Considering that it was at the bottom of a rock pool this picture is remarkably clear.
Getting a close up of this tiny crab was a photographic highlight for me. Considering that it was at the bottom of a rock pool this picture is remarkably clear.
A rusty old olive press
A rusty old olive press

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Exochori to Kardamyli

After finishing our walk to Kardamyli we lunched at Harilaos (excellent Kalamari), and then I went swimming in the Harbour. Plent more excellent pics to share with you…

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Kardamyli Harbour
Kardamyli Harbour

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The harbour, the island and a boat
The harbour, the island and a boat

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Kardamyli old town.
Kardamyli old town.

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An autumn Crocus, growing as usual in what looks like an impossible place.
An autumn Crocus, growing as usual in what looks like an impossible place.

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Bare rock, and still they grow.
Bare rock, and still they grow.

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Exochori to Kardamyli part 2

The walk down from Exochori follows one side of the Viros Gorge, the natural feature that dominates the landscape. Following the way markers took us too low at one point, so that we had to climb back up to get to our meeting point at Petrovouni. Also featuring on this part of the walk were various views across the gorge to Agia Sofia (Church of the Holy Wisdom in English).

Enjoy these photos…

Not quite cyclopean stones but impressively large.
Not quite cyclopean stones but impressively large.

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A mason's mark on the chapel.
A mason’s mark on the chapel.

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This is an Autumn Narcissus.
This is an Autumn Narcissus.

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One does not see much evidence of wildlife on Greek walks and this is a clue as to why.
One does not see much evidence of wildlife on Greek walks and this is a clue as to why.

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Agia Sofia
Agia Sofia

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The line of large stones marked the edge of the path until it was plundered for building materials - the extension beyond the line of stones being exactly as wide as a lorry wheel.
The line of large stones marked the edge of the path until it was plundered for building materials – the extension beyond the line of stones being exactly as wide as a lorry wheel.

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This is the church at Petrovouni.
This is the church at Petrovouni.

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The way markers for the route from Petrovouni to Kardamyli.
The way markers for the route from Petrovouni to Kardamyli.

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A first aerial view of Kardamyli. The tall tower is part of an old soap factory.
A first aerial view of Kardamyli. The tall tower is part of an old soap factory.

Exochori to Kardamyli part 1:

I am not sure how many parts this series of posts will run to because there were so many fantastic photo opportunities. My father dropped my mother and I at Exochori, the top end of the walk, before himself driving to Kardamyli to walk up to meet us at Petrovouni, from whence we would walk together down into Kardamyli. At the top end of the walk we passed a number of small chapels, and later there were some fine stretches of engineered mule track…

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This is the remains of an old olive press.
This is the remains of an old olive press.

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This aeroplane was one of two flying in formation - could not get both in shot.
This aeroplane was one of two flying in formation – could not get both in shot.
A distant but direct view of Prosilio, which lies between Tseria (above) and Kardamyli (below)
A distant but direct view of Prosilio, which lies between Tseria (above) and Kardamyli (below)

Kastania – Frescos and internal art

Now for my final post about Kastania – though there is still more Greek stuff to come. There were several superb churches in Kastania, the no longer consecrated church of St Peter (Ayios Petros) being the best from an art point of view. They yielded many fine photos…

This modern art - the sort of thing Maurits Escher might have used as a basis for one of his pictures is from the main church in the centre of the village
This modern art – the sort of thing Maurits Escher might have used as a basis for one of his pictures is from the main church in the centre of the village

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Some super frescos in the older churches.
Some super frescos in the older churches.

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This fractal cross was very striking although for me at least equally far from being attractive.
This fractal cross was very striking although for me at least equally far from being attractive.

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Kastania – External Art

Having looked back over my pictures from Kastania since the last post I have decided to add another to my long list of Greek posts by splitting the artwork into external stuff and frescos as there was so much of it. As you will see, the stuff I cover in the post varies from patterns painted on street surfaces to folk art incorporated into church buildings.

Enjoy these photos…

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Kastania – General and Chestnut Festival.

This is the first of two posts that will be going up about Kastania, because I will be devoting another post specifically to church/ folk art in the village, of which there is a lot. We were drawn there by the Chestnut Festival, which was a huge success, with the kind of numbers in attendance that English village fetes such as the Rudhams one could only dream of. Also, although you had to pay if you wanted a proper meal, as you entered the square where the main action was happening you were given little cakes, a free slug of Raki was provided for adult visitors, and bags of roasted chestnuts from a huge circular barbecue were also free.

A scenic route back through Exochorio and Proasteio,  featuring the church of Ayios Nikolaos Proasteio completed the day’s travelling.

Enjoy these photos…

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The Greek Flag and a local flag side y side
The Greek Flag and a local flag side y side
Chestnuts roasting
Chestnuts roasting

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Stepped surfaces such as this both prevent wheeled traffic (other than quad bikes) from using them and suit donkeys and mules.
Stepped surfaces such as this both prevent wheeled traffic (other than quad bikes) from using them and suit donkeys and mules.

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This fortified tower overlooks the Viros Gorge
This fortified tower overlooks the Viros Gorge
Ayios Nikolaos at Proasteio
Ayios Nikolaos at Proasteio
Decorative brickwork above the entrance to the church.
Decorative brickwork above the entrance to the church.

Sunset in Tseria

Before I get to the main meat of this post a word of explanation of circumstances: I am now back home in England, having returned yesterday, getting back to my flat in King’s Lynn at twenty to six in the evening courtesy of some remarkable good fortune – straight through passport control/ customs, short wait at baggage reclaim, straight on to a Gatwick Express service, good connection at Victoria which got me to King’s Cross in time to board the 15:44 to King’s Lynn. I had planned for the 16:44 and would not have been squealing with outrage had it been an hour later still, so this was a colossal bonus. I have quite a few more Greek posts to put up, but they will now be interleaving with my more regular types of posts, about James and Sons, and continuing to wage my online campaign to present the best face of King’s Lynn.

The balcony of my parents house in Tseria faces west, and therefore if one is out there at the right time as I was a few days ago one benefits from some very fine sunsets. Before the pictures of the sunset itself I am using this post to present a couple more pictures of folk art from the little church just below my parents house (see https://aspiblog.wordpress.com/2014/10/18/a-little-church-in-tseria) for more on this theme…

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