Preparing to return to Greece has been taking precedence over escaping into the mountains recently.  A spell of dry weather meant most of my time has been in the garden clearing, cutting back, pruning, planting, sowing, but that was brought to an abrupt end by a couple of days of heavy rain and very strong winds.

When the rain eased back on Sunday afternoon I put off the cleaning, failed to start the packing, and went up the mountain behind the house.  Only 3 miles up to The Folly and back, an hour at brisk pace given the steep terrain, but invigorating.

I reached the ridge top in time to see the narrow band of watery blue sky being chased eastwards by black cloud driven on by fierce wind.  Head down, I quickened my pace into the driving rain as I headed along the ridge path, reflecting that this time next week I would be on Symi, hopefully under blue sky and warm spring sunshine.  I didn’t mind that I was wet.

The Folly Tower on top of the ridge above Pontypool

Narrow blue slot being overtaken by rain cloud

For some time now I have been intending to add another couple of pages to Barry’s Ramblings.  I have now added a page on Greek Island Walks with detailed walking guides to a few of the many routes on the Dodecanese islands of Symi and Nisyros.  I hope that they prove useful.