A narrow escape from hospital.

 Monday 16th June 2025.

On a 15km walk in temperatures of 33 degrees C we stopped for a coffee at an out of the way place we have known for years. Across the road was a yard with some machinery for sale. One vehicle was a Belorussian tractor. 

After coffee I just had to get a photo but there was a metal fence between us which didn’t make for a good picture. 

I climbed onto a wall which was less than a metre high so that I could get the camera above the fence. All good. 

As I jumped down from the wall my hand stayed where it was. My 1860 family heirloom ring had got stuck on a spike on top of the fence. The pain was intense, I thought I was about to loose a finger or a least break a finger. Luckily the ring snapped and I reached the ground. 

The ring and my finger was not pretty but I felt lucky and relieved that the damage was superficial and didn’t look like I needed a stich or two.  A pharmacy was only a couple of km’s away so that’s where we went. It made the walk slightly longer but at least……….,,,,

I did get the tractor picture. 

Belarus Tractor built between 1977 -1994. A good reliable workhorse built in Minsk. I’ve never worked on one but seen a couple of them in Greece. 

A return to Greece.

 Kefalonia 9th June 2025

We arrived here on 2nd of June after spending a night at the Tribe hotel at Manchester Airport. I recommend it. Getting an early flight at 6.25am staying over just takes the stress away.

Getting through the airport procedures was easy enough but I have to say I do dislike terminal 2. 

It’s great to be back here, it’s our 2nd home. I worked it out that I have spent over 5 yrs of my life here. 

I’m only doing a short post because blogger is not suited to my iPhone and it’s awkward to say the least. Today’s walk we did in 30degrees temp. 19.02km.  

Kefalonia is very hilly so it’s virtually impossible to do a flat walk. Our walk today is classed as mad by the locals. To be honest it is steep but for a hiker it’s just a walk up hill. 

On route we pass a small church which is open so we enter with respect. 

It’s a small church with room for about 40 people. Sitting and standing. It’s beautifully clean and serene. 

A little further on we came across another small church but it was closed and neglected. Such a shame. 

At our highest point we had a good view of the Islands highest point. The ridge leading to Mount Ainos. 

Wild flowers adorned our route and below are a sample of what we saw today. 

Prickly Pear. Unfortunately no fruit yet.

Clematis Flammula.

Squirting cucumber.

Nerium

Canna Lily.

We needed to buy some food for tea as we were eating in tonight. It is a steep drop down into town and a sweaty walk back up the same route. The photo below doesn’t do justice to the incline. 

With hearts pounding we stopped a few times for water. Thankfully we didn’t forget to bring the cool bag. 

We passed a small holding with a few goats where Sheila decided to go over and have a chat with them. I was thinking more on the lines of a curry. 

With about a km to go, (all down hill) Sheila says her legs a feeling wobbly. It’s not surprising as this is the longest we have walked for 2 years and since my cancer treatment. It was great to achieve this and I felt good if tired. Nothing that a cool fruit drink, a banana and a cup of green tea won’t cure. 

Surprisingly I have managed to get this far with the post. Only loosing it once and having to re-download images numerous times. Not a single tractor seen. Oh well, next time maybe. 

Oh yes and here is a photo for Sir Hugh. A couple of relic VW campers.