good morning [kaliˈmera]

Tag #51

Saturday, the 20th of June.

From Feres to near Glykoneri

Country: Greece

The day starts with breakfast on the balcony, the sun is already blazing.

No wonder, it's already quite late, but I needed my sleep after yesterday's exertions.

After leaving the village, I go over bumpy dirt paths. Of course.

And eventually end up on a trail.

Nice that there's a road sign here indicating that the path is narrowing.

It's something to behold.

I'm briefly annoyed since there are many opportunities here where I could have set up my tent.

And I find myself again thinking that the shower was worth its weight in gold to wash off the tar.

Once I've overcome that, I pass by a beekeeper who can probably only shake her head at this crazy bike traveler.

From then on, it continues along the roads, and I have the opportunity to take in the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

In Alexandroupolis, a charming port town, I see a supermarket.

And I know one should take advantage of opportunities, but it's only noon, I still have some supplies, so I continue on.

A mistake, as it will turn out.

The route then takes me through a kind of holiday village. Another trap, so time to turn back.

This happens again shortly after, when I end up in front of a staircase.

The paths through the olive groves are beautiful.

When I arrive back at the coast, I take the opportunity and go for a swim.

Wonderful to cool off in the water.

Along the coastal road, I continue, passing the beach vacationers.

Until I reach a sign that says 'Road Closed'.

Well, I must take a closer look and form my own opinion.

Due to the mountains, I'm also apprehensive about looking for a detour.

Good decision, since I drive over solid ground through the mountains.

It's a bit like a fairytale, and the landscape is beautiful.

To my left is the sea, to my right the mountain slopes with huge polished rock blocks, and the road winds right through the middle.

Maybe I’m lucky it’s the weekend.

In any case, I'm completely alone here, and the only person I encounter for kilometers is a shepherd with his herd of goats.

While I’m standing by a waterhole and still contemplating whether to trust this entire situation, the herd comes clanging down the slope.

Since I'm now running low on food and the water is dwindling, I fill up a bottle.

Even though I doubt the quality a lot.

Let’s see what I do with it.

Then I reach the coast again and wonder where the locals go shopping.

In the villages, there are certainly no supermarkets.

At another waterhole, I refill my bottles.

Just to be safe, since the water comes cold from the hose, but the pipe seems very suspicious, I prefer to use my SteriPen.

That’s why I have it with me, to neutralize bacteria and viruses.

Let’s wait and see how I feel tomorrow.

My grumbling stomach, and as I approach nature reserves, and it’s already evening, I adjust my route to aim for a campsite in Farnas.

Moreover, I’m indicated a supermarket there.

On the way, there’s a sign that says something like 'Warning, water on the road'. It’s so warm, what water could possibly be here.

As I turn the curve, I see that a river flows over the road. So what is it supposed to mean 'if'.

The motto is to take a run-up and go through, and so I end up with wet shoes. In this case, it’s somewhat refreshing.

Along the way, I then realize that it’s Saturday. So everything will be closed tomorrow.

Additionally, my last banana falls onto the road, and I quickly stuff the pieces into me.

The campsite is closed.

And apparently for a while now.

Fortunately, I’m lucky and the supermarket, as you know it from holiday villages, is still open despite the late hour, so I can stock up generously.

The app indicates a spot for wild camping, which I’m heading to now.

On the way, I see a small grove in the distance, so I head over the fields there.

It’s already quite dark.

Upon arrival, I decide that I want to stay here.

Luckily, I've practiced setting up my tent enough by now, so I manage it even without light.

It gets exciting when I hear a wild boar nearby.

And then see it in the moonlight.

Calmly, I talk some nonsense and walk slowly backward.

It seems to consider what to do next and decides to retreat.

Unpleasant, but it ended well, and I can now focus on my dinner.

Due to many thorns, I decide to leave out the air mattress.

Better to consciously lie on the ground for one night than to have many unpleasant nights in the future.

Besides, there’s straw here ... Or something like that.

Song of the Day:

Circus Contraption Band - We're all mad