We take to the hills

QUESTION: What has 24 wheels and carries nearly 200 excitable Greeks? ANSWER: Four buses.

We have often tried to remember virtually the first trip around the island that we made with our Elderly persons group - the KAPI, which took in some glorious caves and stunning scenery. Well, this week we found out on our latest trip.

  The caves in fact were the Sfentoni caves of Zoniana, high up in the Psiloritis  mountain range. In the seven years since our first visit the authorities have really smarted up the place with coloured lights to enhance the viewing pleasure. We were collected by the super coach at 8.00am and later joined the other three from various areas around up. First it was to the historic Anogia village, not an easy task on roads originally made for donkey transport, and just wide enough for coaches to carefully pass by. A brief stop at a special museum at Potomianos where the history of the region is played out, but must say the waxwork models could do with a little updating!

  Of course a trip out with the KAPI would hardly be possible without a visit to some religious building, this time to the Monastery of Timios Stavros. Fantastic views and superb gardens, which surprisingly did not seem to interest the majority of the large group. Then it was the highlight - at least for many. Lunch!!

  Not an ordinary lunch of course. It was in the village of Throsia who specialise in cooking pork and lamb, over charcoal, either on a spit or just simply turned by hand. It's always cooked slowly and the result is juicy meat, we had been before and it was as good as previously.

  Finally we turned toward home, but noit without a short stop at another very traditional village, Fodele well know for it's connections with famous painter El Greco and specialising in macrame work, which the ladies of the village happily show you as they work with nimble fingers on intricate patters off the back of an old chair. It was nice to see that they are passing on their skills to the younger generation. In Fodele we have a friend who runs the Taverna  Domenico, who serve up local orange juice as well as specialties of the region, So it was good to catch up and share a drink before arriving back in Old Hersonissos.