Greece
Greece
Greek Sunset
Beautiful sunset at our first campsite in Greece. Also a thick cloud of mosquitos that are eating us alive!
Spare Parts!
We have finally found a shop that stocks the bits we need 🙂
Camp
We had a successful morning shopping for brake pads and inner tubes in Igoumenitsa. This afternoon we cycled further than we had planned because we couldn't find a decent spot to camp, we've been rewarded with a beautiful little cove though.
Good morning!
An unrushed start to the day. Coffee, shell collecting, and a swim.
Dinner Time
We didn't get to a grocery shop today so we used up all our odds and ends tonight. Pasta, garlic, pesto, tomato, chick-peas and olive oil.
Woods
The beach here was a bit too busy to camp on so we set up camp in the forest instead and came back down to cook breakfast.
Fountain
Always nice to find a drinking water fountain. Simon's hi-vis had been peed on by a cat a few days ago so this was a chance to wash it as well as filling up with 8 litres of water.
Flamingos
There were lots of other birds too but the flamingos were big enough to photograph!
Changing Weather
31 October
We have a real bed tonight! We are staying in a hotel in the small town of Menidi. Here are a few more photos from today.
Turtle
Lunch (And Nap) Stop
1 Nov 2021
We had a fairly short day today (~50km). This evening we are back in the tent which we got up just in time before the rain started. We saw our first sea turtle as we were stopped for a water break this morning (loggerhead turtle I think). Tomorrow we're continuing South to Mytikas where we'll stop for couple of rest/work days. (S)
Rain & Wind
A very wet and windy night. This morning the wind has stopped and the rain has turned to showers.
Goat
We made a friend on our break this afternoon.
Dinner Party
Yesterday morning we found out that the campsite in Mytikas was closed and while we were figuring out what to do we were invited for dinner with a couple of German couples in campervans so we continued on to a little beach spot and spent a lovely evening eating shakshuka and sitting in real chairs! This morning we swam and ate breakfast together.
3 Nov 2021
Rio
Yesterday we reached Rio near Patras and have found somewhere to stop for a few days so Simon can catch up with some work.
7 Nov
We were in need of a couple of rest days so after getting the ferry to Rio (near Patras) we found somewhere to hole up for 3 nights. Back on the bikes again today continuing towards Athens. We have found an abandoned campsite to pitch up in this evening - right by the beach.
Lunch And Swim
Fixing Lucy's Pedal...
Turns out I have taken a big knock to my pedal but can't remember when!!! Oh dear!
9 Nov
A few weeks ago these chases by gangs of dogs were pretty terrifying but they happen so often each day that they are just a bit if a nuisance now. Our strategy is to get off our bikes and walk side by side with our bikes on the outside of us as shields. This is the first time I've been able to think about switching on the camera and getting a picture. Today's ride was quite busy and industrial in parts but we have found a lovely little cove to swim and set up camp for the night. Athens tomorrow if all goes to plan. (S)
Athens
This morning we woke up on a beach and this afternoon we arrived in Athens after a couple of short ferry crossings, some quiet coastal roads, and lots of very busy city roads. We are looking forward to exploring on foot for a few days before deciding which direction we will head in next. -S
Belt Drive
Very excited today as we replaced our chains with our new belt drives which arrived this morning. The conversion process was pretty straight forward and we've had a short test cycle around Athens' National Garden. Looking forward to giving them a fully loaded test tomorrow when we leave Athens in the direction of Istanbul.
Back On The Beach
And relax... It's such a good feeling to have escaped the noise and bustle and to be back beach camping again. Although the history in Athens was fascinating I am not built for cities and Athens is not built for bicycles.
We're laying on the shingle watching the stars and full moon and have just realised that we've been on the road for 4 months already. Tomorrow we will be sleeping on the ferry that will take us to Kavala where we will begin our last couple of days of cycling in Greece before arriving in Turkey. -S
Ferry To Kavala
20 Nov 2021 - 05:48
We've arrived in Kavala. From 16°C to 3°C! At least it should warm up a bit once the sun rises.
Gifted Coffee
A man drove along side us on a main road and shouted out the window to stop at the next cafe and he would buy us coffee.
20 Nov 2021 - 18:30
Getting up before the boat reached Kavala at 5am meant that we cycled further than we had planned. I\'m chuffed with that, and am trying to persuade Simon that we should get up at 5 every morning - he might take some convincing though!
The cycling was mostly flat with scenery which was quite different to what we\'ve seen recently in the Peloponnese and Athens area. The ferry has transported us from summer firmly into autumn. Rolling hills enveloped with beautiful colours and a chill in the air. We experienced the kindness of strangers yet again and enjoyed gifted tomatoes and Fanta with our \'Turkish pasta\' before setting up the tent at dusk in a valley, next to the river. -L