Into the unknown

Today was to be a reasonably quiet day for us - save for going down to Polis for our shopping.  On our return John suddenly turned off just before the Gravity Road Diner and said he wanted to show me some of the area which he and Liselotte had walked yesterday because it came as a complete surprise just how beautiful (and unexpected) the views are across the valley and down to the sea.  Liselotte had said that this was one of the best walks she has ever done and it even incorporated a bit of a goat path section for which they could have done with some secateurs!!

The weather today was unbelievable - right above the horizon out to sea, if you look closely you can see the mountains of Turkey with snow on the top!!!  The colours in the sky, sea and landscape looked almost like they had been airbrushed by the hand of God but this was exactly how it looked - how green is the green????

All of this is right on our doorstep - just down below the house where John and Susan used to live.  This view is looking back up the hill towards Droushia.  We got back into the car and made our way, carefully, back to the main road.  This took us past the Monastery of Saint George Nikoxilitis (opposite which they are now building a new church).  This was once one of the richest monasteries on the island owning a great amount of property.

This was initially built between the 9th and 10th century AD and once formed a hub of activity until it was burned and looted in 1821.  Slowly but surely, villagers from the Droushia area have spent time and money rebuilding it in an attempt to bring it back to its former glory even though the church suffered some damage in 1953 following a major earthquake.  We are not entirely sure why a new little church is being built opposite.

We passed through lush green fields with goats and sheep and horses just a stones throw from the main road - who knew???  John was so taken by this walk and Liselotte's positivity towards it that he came straight home and started plotting another - there are just so many tracks and trails down there that are shouting out to be investigated.

Once back home it was to be a nice quiet afternoon.  Tomorrow is the anniversary of Dad's passing and we will meet Mum at the cemetery and pay our respects and then she will have some lunch with us before returning home.  It is also her Great Grandson Jack's birthday.