Walk
around Crete in 50 days - Day 35 from Sfinari to Platanos and Fournados
Steps 20766
Burned Calories 846
Distance 15,8 km
Hours walk 03h08'
Pulse at arrival 81
Weather: Sunny, strong North wind Average 21C
Woke up at 08.00 and had breakfast with Patricia. Sweet
bread, boiled egg, home made marmalade, honey and a good filter coffee.
Outside, a friend of her's, Manoussos was already working in her garden..
Manolis, her neighbor was continuing on hos own church... Nice piece
of art, beautifully painted (by himself !) inside..
Patricia drove me
to the Platia from where I started my walk at 11.20. Lots of wind and
17C. As I climb up I see the greenhouses of Sfinari.. Tomatoes. In this
area there are a few good fish taverna's and camping is free !
12.15
I see the first boat on the West coast, going towards Kasteli Kissamos
or Ghania.. The sea is much calmer, sign that the weather is going to
be better, although the wind is extremely violent, up oin the hills
where I am walking.. I am already very tired...
12.40 I am at the level
of Falassarna Bay.. with a large sandy beach. In front the island (a
big peace of rock) of Podiki, raising out of the sea and nicely illuminated
by the sun.
13.15 Leaving the E4 track (goes on the right into the
mountains) and continuing to Platanos, which I enter at 13.20.. Cold
village, nobody talks or say hello... Big, in another way, because of
the many services for tourists... hotels, bank, rent rooms, taverna's
etc... I pass quickly and rest a bit in an olive field, (tired after
the long, difficult and boring road towards Platanos) listening to the
singing birds, who are trying to stay on top of the blowing north wind..
Continuing on the main road towards Kasteli Kissamos,
I am careful.. Terrible road with fast traffic ! Peace is over... But
I find a dirt road at Agios Georgos to climb up to Fournados.. I have
rendez-vous with Annie, Patricia's friend, giving me overnight here.
She will meet me at 17.30..
I am much earlier in the village and explore
a bit. .In an olive field I spot a wall, built with old stones.. It is
warm, 22C and the ideal time for lizzards to lay in the sun, taking
some energy.. I am looking around... Suddenly I spot a big green one...
The game starts! Going in and out the holes, the lizzard watches me
carefully... I take position.. And, after 15'.. Bingo.. nice pictures
!!
At 17.10 Annie calls me while I am enjoying a tasteful
grapefruit. Another 20' before she will be home.. No problem, that was
the agreement.. I'll wait in her garden, as she explained me where she
lived.. Nice house, white and blue on the hill side. Quiet place..Hot
shower, vegetarian dinner and "mavro
krasi".. Again a spendid evening !
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