KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: Skalia to Sikati Cave and back via a ridge walk.

Explore quiet northern Kalymnos. Discover a tiny sandy bay, a huge cave adorned with tufa and stalactites and another view-laden ridge walk through fragrant, spiky garrigue and vibrant spring flowers. This walk is accessible by public bus. Distance: 9.2km Height gain: 470m (for optional extension to Emborios add 2.5km, minimal extra height gain and loss) Continue reading KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: Skalia to Sikati Cave and back via a ridge walk.

sallywoodbridgeJune 20, 2023August 18, 2023

KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: The Italian Path from Pothia to the Vathys Valley and back to Hora

A classic Kalymnian walk with a wiggle. Wind your way out of the noisy port town of Pothia for a meditative ascent of the paved Italian path. Glide through a broad pass and descend to the flower scented farming valley of Vathys. Follow the bees and grasshoppers along a quiet farm track to a church then thread back up through the ridge and descend below the ancient castle to rejoin the bustle at Hora. Continue reading KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: The Italian Path from Pothia to the Vathys Valley and back to Hora

sallywoodbridgeMay 23, 2023August 18, 2023

KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: The Arginonta Valley and the Italian Emplacement.

A circular walk in the north of the island around the Arginonta valley. This walk is accessible by public bus and has an optional extension to a viewpoint, the Italian Emplacement. This walk mainly uses marked paths and includes a short section of the Kalymnos Way. Distance / height gain: 11.5km and 600m ascent / descent (including optional extension). Continue reading KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: The Arginonta Valley and the Italian Emplacement.

sallywoodbridgeMay 15, 2023August 18, 2023

HIKING ON THE HUSH-HUSH: Get ready to ramble

Getting ready for your first walking holiday in Europe? Here’s a handy checklist of stuff you need to get sorted back in the UK before you head out. Remember, after Brexit there may be a few changes to your preparations.

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sallywoodbridgeApril 3, 2023

NATURE HUNT: Hang on in, it’s nearly Spring

Early morning sparrow squawk jostles through my bedroom window and the snowdrops’ meek bowed heads shiver in the breeze. Winter’s cold hard grip is slackening and Spring sunlight is chinking through the loosening grasp. At last another wild year begins.

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sallywoodbridgeFebruary 22, 2023February 22, 2023

GEAR GUFF: Alpine kit list (Summer day walks)

You’ve booked your first guided walking holiday in the European Alps. Fantastic! But what kit do you need? Don’t worry, assuming you’re a UK hillwalker you should have most of the equipment already. Walking in the Alps in the summer though can take you into a harsher environments at a higher altitude than you might be used to. Even in the summer late lying (or fresh!) snow may also be encountered.

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sallywoodbridgeFebruary 6, 2023February 7, 2023

NATURE HUNT: Winter Wowsers

The recent cold snap made me grab my camera and head out to our local fields. Everything looked pristine and sparkling in a sugar-white frosting. Red berries, the last yellow leaves and evergreen ivy added splashes of colour to the monochrome backdrop. Winter wore it’s most spectacular garb.

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sallywoodbridgeDecember 22, 2022

NATURE HUNT: Red and Yellow and…

“Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue” so goes the Peggy Lee song about the rainbow (Pink? Really?). Let’s give the first four a go with Paulerspury and Pury End autumn colours!

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sallywoodbridgeOctober 28, 2022

HIKING ON THE HUSH-HUSH: Val d’Hérens and Val d’Anniviers, Switzerland.

Ever wondered where the walking pros love to go? Hiking on the hush-hush will let you in the secret of some of my favourite places. First up are the Val d’Hérens and Val d’Anniviers in Switzerland.

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sallywoodbridgeSeptember 27, 2022August 17, 2023

RECIPE: Berry nice!

I can’t remember a better blackberry year, even as a child. The brambles have produced the largest, sweetest, fruitiest berries ever. No need to stick to your favourite tastiest hedgerow patch, fill your boots anywhere! Here’s a few recipes I’ve made and like.

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sallywoodbridgeSeptember 6, 2022