Today I have a cunning plan.......
"We are here to take a painting back to our church in Romania, prepared for us by one of the monasteries of Athos" Sylvia (a man) informed me
I am in Nea Roda, a small village at the neck of the Athos Peninsula, the most easterly of the Halkidiki peninsulas; 3 fingers that reach down into the Aegean Sea. Athos is home not only to the holy mountain of that name that soars over 2000 metres straight from the sea, but upon it reside some 20 monasteries that make up this autonomous region of Greece. Permits are required to visit the peninsula and none are available to women who are absolutely forbidden to enter. Were I to visit it would be a great opportunity to pick up some time; as the monasteries follow the Julian Calendar and I'd step back 13 days, thus immediately putting me almost 2 weeks ahead of schedule (if you get my drift!).
But I prefer the way of the Persian King Xerxes. In 500 BC he had his fleet of invading warships sunk by wild katabatic winds sent down by the gods off Mount Athos. So Xerxes had a canal dug, some 2km in length, across the narrow neck of the Peninsula from present day Nea Roda to Tripiti. Little remains of this incredible engineering feat from 2500 years ago save a few depressions amongst the farmland. But today I will wheel Miss Grape, my own warship, across the peninsula thus saving me over 100km of paddling and also the issue of illegal camping on the Peninsula.
So I'm in Greece; for the first time since 1998, a trip notable for Wendy running me over with her hire scooter. Kayaking should be safer! 9 days ago I left Turkey. I met with the coastguard in the border port of Enes. Ramizan, the commanding officer, made a number of phone calls after inspecting my 'craft'. We waited for some return calls. "No problems then?" I enquired. "Yes, there are big problems". My heart sank, as I thought of the alternative - trucking my kayak to the nearest land border crossing 50km away."What is the problem?" I asked. Then Ramizan broke into a broad smile "I joke with you. You are free to go to Greece tomorrow!"
So I arrived in Greece, crossing the watery border at the Evros Delta, clearing immigration at Alexandropoulos. Easy enough once the police accepted that kayaks don't come with shipping registration papers. Greece will be home for the next 6 weeks or so; a time when I'll learn a little more about the economic crisis that engulfed this country. Of reducing salaries and increasing costs. Only last night Evi, the daughter of a taverna owner, told me about her job in a hotel; 7 days a week for 700 euros ($1000) per month. And Constandinos, a Greek coastguard officer, whose salary has gone down by 20% but the repayments on the house he proudly built increase.
But Greece has been 'bought' for Save the Children and it is fitting that my mum and dad bought the first full mediterr année country I pass through; given of course I passed through mum to first enter this beautiful and fragile planet! (ah memories of Jackie's Pass on Mount Kingston deep in the South Australian desert......)
I'd like to take the opportunity to acknowledge those who have bought a country as I pass through that country with the words they wrote. So to mum and dad first up for Greece:
'Our enormous pride is tinged with concern that you stay safe and healthy in your pursuit of this hugely worthwhile cause. You will be constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
Mountains of love, Mum and Dad
"They are ill discoverers that think there is no land when they can see nothing but sea". Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
12 out of 20 countries have been 'purchased' now. Israel & the Palestine Territories went the other day (thanks to Liam and the boys of the Club Cyclistico Coglioni (!) in Perth). Perhaps I should say that all but one of my first 6 countries have gone 'under the hammer' - Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia, Slovenia. Croatia awaits an owner........
Thanks to ALL who have donated so far to Save the Children in whatever way, whether by direct donation. or those taking up their own challenges to raise funds for Save the Children. People like Trent Moore who is attempting to match my 15000km with his own on the bike in the same period, Kate Schnabel who is running 150km per month and Helen Dorsett who has a complicated formula of cycling km that only she understands but that should see a few $1000 to Save the Children! And of course the mediterr année mountain bike team is up and running.
And what about 10 year old Maizy Evans who has galvanised her school in Exeter, Australia to have Save the Children via mediterr année as the fundraiser for the year. Love your work Maizy!
Just now I skyped with Anna (9) and Anders (6), 2 of my gorgeous grandkids. Today, on Mothers Day in Australia, they have set up a nail painting salon outside their house in Sydney. Offering $2 for Adults/$1 for Kids; you can get your nails done for Save the Children. $8 in the bank already!
But I am in Greece and now starting to feel the rhythm of the journey. And at last the past 3 days have seen warm sun and sparkling seas from the grey and storms of before. I feel like I am now in the Med! Some beautiful coastline but also some terrible rubbish (more on that another day). The Mediterranean is not yet awake from it's winter slumbers. Occasional Bulgarian babes in bikinis have been spied but most hotels are closed, all beach umbrellas likewise. The fishing boats are out but I have yet to see a yacht or a powerboat. It will be interesting to see the human tide of summer slowly engulf this sea as the months progress.
So I'm in Greece and 1/26 of the year is done. That sounds pretty good and not as daunting as '350 days to go'!
"We are here to take a painting back to our church in Romania, prepared for us by one of the monasteries of Athos" Sylvia (a man) informed me
I am in Nea Roda, a small village at the neck of the Athos Peninsula, the most easterly of the Halkidiki peninsulas; 3 fingers that reach down into the Aegean Sea. Athos is home not only to the holy mountain of that name that soars over 2000 metres straight from the sea, but upon it reside some 20 monasteries that make up this autonomous region of Greece. Permits are required to visit the peninsula and none are available to women who are absolutely forbidden to enter. Were I to visit it would be a great opportunity to pick up some time; as the monasteries follow the Julian Calendar and I'd step back 13 days, thus immediately putting me almost 2 weeks ahead of schedule (if you get my drift!).
But I prefer the way of the Persian King Xerxes. In 500 BC he had his fleet of invading warships sunk by wild katabatic winds sent down by the gods off Mount Athos. So Xerxes had a canal dug, some 2km in length, across the narrow neck of the Peninsula from present day Nea Roda to Tripiti. Little remains of this incredible engineering feat from 2500 years ago save a few depressions amongst the farmland. But today I will wheel Miss Grape, my own warship, across the peninsula thus saving me over 100km of paddling and also the issue of illegal camping on the Peninsula.
 |
| That's what I call a Greek Salad! |
So I arrived in Greece, crossing the watery border at the Evros Delta, clearing immigration at Alexandropoulos. Easy enough once the police accepted that kayaks don't come with shipping registration papers. Greece will be home for the next 6 weeks or so; a time when I'll learn a little more about the economic crisis that engulfed this country. Of reducing salaries and increasing costs. Only last night Evi, the daughter of a taverna owner, told me about her job in a hotel; 7 days a week for 700 euros ($1000) per month. And Constandinos, a Greek coastguard officer, whose salary has gone down by 20% but the repayments on the house he proudly built increase.
 |
| Blue skies, turquoise sea |
I'd like to take the opportunity to acknowledge those who have bought a country as I pass through that country with the words they wrote. So to mum and dad first up for Greece:
'Our enormous pride is tinged with concern that you stay safe and healthy in your pursuit of this hugely worthwhile cause. You will be constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
Mountains of love, Mum and Dad
"They are ill discoverers that think there is no land when they can see nothing but sea". Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
12 out of 20 countries have been 'purchased' now. Israel & the Palestine Territories went the other day (thanks to Liam and the boys of the Club Cyclistico Coglioni (!) in Perth). Perhaps I should say that all but one of my first 6 countries have gone 'under the hammer' - Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia, Slovenia. Croatia awaits an owner........
 |
| Preparing to launch off a rocky beach using beach detritus for boat protection! |
Thanks to ALL who have donated so far to Save the Children in whatever way, whether by direct donation. or those taking up their own challenges to raise funds for Save the Children. People like Trent Moore who is attempting to match my 15000km with his own on the bike in the same period, Kate Schnabel who is running 150km per month and Helen Dorsett who has a complicated formula of cycling km that only she understands but that should see a few $1000 to Save the Children! And of course the mediterr année mountain bike team is up and running.
And what about 10 year old Maizy Evans who has galvanised her school in Exeter, Australia to have Save the Children via mediterr année as the fundraiser for the year. Love your work Maizy!
 |
| Children Saving Children |
Just now I skyped with Anna (9) and Anders (6), 2 of my gorgeous grandkids. Today, on Mothers Day in Australia, they have set up a nail painting salon outside their house in Sydney. Offering $2 for Adults/$1 for Kids; you can get your nails done for Save the Children. $8 in the bank already!
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| Catching some sun rays at last.... |
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| Munching on a large slab of Halva....... |
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