Cooler weather

[Yesletsgo]

I haven't done much running this week, mainly because we've been doing long walks instead. There are 8 signposted treks on the island and we've done three of them in the last 5 days.

The hiking website promised a pine forest on route 8 so Wednesday was 140+m up a hill through woodland and then scrambling down a very steep, unstable rocky road (maybe a firebreak) attempting a shortcut, 4km in total. Very beautiful, autumn crocuses and cyclamen beside the path plus amazing views out to sea and best of all we could buy an ice cream at the top! Turns out that this was actually walk 9, they put the wrong map beside the description but no complaints.

On Thursday, after studying the map, we found route 8. It started off very promising, a heavy scent of thyme and pine, but turned out to be a dirt road with rubbish dumped down the hillside at regular intervals, very disappointing. We covered 10.5km with a total ascent of 249m. Unfortunately, the downhill section was at the beginning, so the ascent was on the way back

A shorter walk on Friday, route 7, 130m climbing, taking in 35 ancient chapels over 2km, again with stunning views. All this left my calves as stiff as boards. My foam roller is back in England so no relief available.

On Saturday it was chilly and overcast, only one degree warmer than back home and we both ached so did nothing more strenuous than walking from the car to the bakery for some spinach pies.

Today was different. Sunny but not too hot. Perfect for 5km on our usual route along the road following the beach...and only 44m ascent We dropped our towels at the swimming place and set off. I doubted that I'd go in the water, I only swim when it's boiling hot.

To cut a long story short, by the time we reached 5km the weather may not have warmed up but I certainly had. The water is getting colder but I'm getting very brave at not standing at the edge complaining. I tell myself I need to make the most of this, next week it's back to the reality of the Essex coastline in winter!

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

Looks and sounds wonderful... you have had some good exercise for those legs!

Do, make the most... it could be a long cold winter x

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss I'm appreciating every minute, fully aware how lucky I am.

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thick fog here this morning... please soak some sun up for me

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I'll try and send some your way🌞

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

I’ve really enjoyed your holiday posts. Do you think you’d be happy to stay a bit longer so I can feel like I’m on holiday vicariously through reading some more?

I went to Greece in May and so many of the sights you’ve described are similar. Such a beautiful place. You’ve done so well with all your walks, runs and swims. Hoping you’ve found enough time for relaxing too?

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

We're due to be home on Saturday but I'll do my best in the meantime...We're extremely lucky that my sister has a place here where we can stay, so we've been helping her husband restore his boat to keep us busy. It's a big project so we're hoping to come back in spring and 'help' some more

Greece is wonderful!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

If they need any more highly skilled craftsmen…I am available to make them tea! 😆

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Join the queue!😂

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

That all sounds wonderful YLG! It may not be running but you’re definitely getting a workout! Enjoy the remainder of your time in the sunshine!

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thank you 😁

[Cmoi Graduate10]

That sounds glorious, well apart from the dumped rubbish, Yesletsgo . I'd love to be able to run there!

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

The rubbish was certainly something I'd rather have done without

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That sounds lovely! What a gorgeous photo. Well done on your runs and walks, although I had to laugh, it doesn’t matter where I am, all water is cold as far as I’m concerned, and needs to be approached with caution 🤣.

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Never believe anyone who says, 'the water's really warm!!' It never is (unless you're in the Caribbean 😂

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Agreed!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That sounds so lovely even if you've got stuff calves, aren't holidays fun? And a swim too 😉

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

It's been great, only a few days left until we return to reality

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Enjoy