Well the ferry let me down. Having that sort of problem lately. But a blessing in disguise. It hit 30 degrees with the UV index at 9 and there is no shade on the cliff path so I am glad that I didn’t commit to the original route and instead chose to trek around in the vicinity. Christ! the roads. I had to scale and descend two mountains. Twisty with hairpin bends and huge drops. This time, however, I had a nice new road with two good lanes and smooth tarmac. Which made it exciting instead of terrifying. Reassured by the Armco barriers on the edges but dismayed at the number of roadside shrines to the dead. I must have counted more than 100 from the main road to the village.
Just leaving Hora Sfakion and this little church with a barrel roof caught my eye. I remember them from Cyprus and Egypt and a guide saying that this style was the original going back to the first Christian churches. I did fancy dinging the bell though.A black goat.And for balance and inclusivity so that I don’t get cancelled by the snowflakes. A white goat. She’s got about 3 inches there to stand on.Looking back to Hora Sfakion and the ferry that did not run. When I looked at eight this morning no notifications, when I got here – no ferry, sorry. As mentioned, far too many of these shrines. This one is done up as a church but many are Greek temples. There is a glass door and behind it pictures and little bowls with offerings. Very ancient thing not yet stamped out by the church. I’m along the new road for a bit.More goats. These ones are the pre-roadkill type.I really can’t see the prob with the sea, but apparently it is not right for the boat. Want to bet they have f’d off to a wedding or something.Kavi gorge, which I shall have a go at on the way back if not too knackered.I’m supposed to head down on that sort of sandy, hairpinny track. But it is way too hot with the sun on the back of my head and I’ve lost my new cap with the neck shade. Time to be sensible and turn back. Heading up the gorge. I can get close to the right side for some shade.There be a goat up there. WTF do they eat and I wonder, can they swim when this floods.The water has destroyed the path so I have to jump across and try and land in that bottom foothold then climb up.These Devil’s Dick flowers are budding all around.This track was obviously the road at some time. Although, all washed away in the gorge. So old. old road.Now out of the gorge to the old road.While down below the lovely new road.Dozens of steps down into the village roofed with whatever these flowers are.At the top of the climb out. Now down the other side and up and down another one before a nice level coast road back to the hotel.Not my pic but gives you a taste of the new road.
I dread to think what six hours out in that sun and heat would have been like. Three was more than enough. The strong UV is the killer, your skin just melts. Right, another day off tomorrow – I am going great guns on third novel – then I’m only going to do three hours on Wednesday cos it is set for 30 degrees as well. The only problem is that the next road is still the old type like Saturday’s. Faaaawk.
