THE SKOPELOS TO PANORMOS TRAIL

The portion of track from Moutero church to the spring and the portion beyond Moutero down into the Panormos valley, are now OPEN! There is only one portion remaining and that is at the start; Kambos valley up to Rachis. Only problem is, there's an illegal fence blocking the way. SCAN representatives have an apointment with a solicitor next week, who will be sending a letter to the owner, inviting him to take it down!
International path discs will be ordered shortly (a yellow arrow with a footprint in the center) and installed along the route. It will only remain to GPS the entire trail and incorporate onto the map, which will be available at the SCAN kiosk throughout the season.

DRY STONE WALL REPAIRS

Another productive Sunday. Just Richard, my co-volunteer, and myself . Last week we had two tourists help us, which made a big difference.

The image shows Richard mending a dry stone wall. It took him three Sundays to complete.

This stretch of path, from near the spring at Moutero to the Panagia church at Moutero, is nearly finished; one more Sunday should do it. We keep saying we're going to give ourselves a day off, but we never do!

PATH CLEARING AT MOUTERO

In case you wonder how I spend my Sunday's.....


At the last SCAN charity meeting, my request for help was forthcoming in the form of a E750 budget! So, I bought this strimmer which had it's inaugriation this afternoon! It cleared so quickly, I might even get all the paths done before next May!


To give you some idea of what we're up against, here is a 'before' image. Could do with some more volunteers; but you can't have everything!

BAD ENOUGH

Where once there was a footpath, there is now this bulldozed road, crashing through the area of Kiperisi. It's a tucked away area with a handful of derelict kalivia and a spring, in the heart of the island. The new road leads from the Karia asphalt road, through an area of chestnut trees and finishes at the front door of one of the derelict kalivis. No prizes for what will happen next. It's about tourism and everyone wants a slice of the cake. OK, so it was only a footpath, but the new road has made a huge scar and it COULD just as easily have been a calderimi. There is no control or planning. Mrs Rekkas from the town council has been informed.

AG. IANNI TO MOUTERO NOW OPEN

I'm happy to report that as well as my two volunteers, the council sent along a helper yesterday. He worked with an industrail strimmer which made a huge difference in a short space of time. Just as well, as he wasn't able to stay very long. Anyway, the stretch of trail from Ag. Ianni Skleri to the dirt road near Moutero, is now open. Whilst working, a lone, German walker appeared before me! Made me jump out my skin. So, the path has already been used! Just a bit more tidying up to do on this trail then we move down to the Panagia church at Moutero and work towards the spring in the hamlet itself. There's a wall there that's collapsed which we may be able to repair. All going well, the council will send someone again. More next Monday!

PATH CLEARING SCHEDULE

PERSONNEL REQUIRED
Path Clearers (bring your own tools if possible)
Cuttings Collectors (gloves only required and a strong back!)
Blobbers (paint, brush and latex gloves provided)
Work will take place at least every Sunday through the winter months.
Please contact me regarding transport. Bring your own refreshments.
OCTOBER
Glossa to the Light House. Walk 29. Parking as per image 100 page 85
NOVEMBER
Glossa, Vouno, Old Clima. Walk 22. Parking as per image 87 page 71
DECEMBER/JANUARY
Djilal spring to Glysteri. Walk 6. Parking as per image 24 page 28
FEBRUARY/MARCH
The Old path to Agnondas. Walk 4
APRIL
Parts of the old path to Panormos

As well as the above, I have agreed to co-operate with Andonis ? who has the first eco accommodation at Karia. He has already cleared paths around his property and would like to put up signs. I suggested we join forces.
I'm making enquiries with Pelion and Kent County Council regarding signs. Contemplating a switch from red to yellow signs. What do you think?

Roasting Weather and stuff

In spite of the roasting weather, I had two private evening hikes last week and I have another one on Friday; we'll take the six o'clock bus to Panormos and walk back to Skopelos. Have come to terms with the fact now that the days of groups of 15-30 walkers is over. My book continues to sell well however and I will continue to be a thorn in the council's side until all the paths are regularly cleaned and clearly marked.
Please note that I will be absent from the island from 1 July until 30 August - walking in the UK!

The current situation

My translated proposal regarding the future of the paths was put before the local council, at their meeting last week, by Kostas Skouras, the political representative for the KKE party. By the time they got to my item, it was 1.30 in the morning! I sat in the small public gallery section of the Town Hall meeting room, together with a small group of others who had items on the agenda. The mayor responded by agreeing to my proposal and before I knew it, they moved on to the next item. However, I still had no idea of when they were going to give me workers or indeed what had happened to the funds that I had been told by Mrs Mimika Rekka were available for this project. Although Mrs Rekka was present at the meeting, she made no comment whatsoever, even though she had set up the initial meeting at the town hall last March, during which I chose 4 routes to be cleaned. In the meantime, a volunteer and myself have cleaned a long portion of trail in the Potami valley, in our spare time. A regular update and images were sent to Mrs Rekka during that time, again without response.
The walking season is almost over and it is a crying shame that local authority has not taken advantage of my offer to project manage the clearing of the most popular trails. After twenty years of doing it myself, together with the occasional volunteer, the situation has become such that I cannot continue. Meanwhile, my Skopelos Trails book is selling well.