When we tipped off the ferry last night…we found a gem of a place to stay right in the middle of the old town of Rhodes.
This was Martin at 7.30 in the morning, enjoying the early morning sun!!
And we enjoyed a delightful breakfast…before setting off for Charaki.
The decision to either follow the main road down coast….or take dive inland and into the hills…was not too difficult….after our Turkey experiences!
And it was great riding. Goats and all!!
Evidently a big fire quite recently…..
….and down to Spinthos for a Frappe. God they are good! And only 1.50 Euro! Looking back the way we had come…the rain was threatening once again.
But we were going the other way! No worries!
Lovely!
And then we turned off onto a great track…complete with (tiny!) ford…
…..but it became a bit tricky! I had just taken this photo…and we had just decided to intrepidly press ahead…when the heavens opened!!
I know…I keep saying that the only rain we have had was when we were on our rest days. True! But today….we were well caught out. No time to put on proper waterproofs…..
And we got very, very, wet (as I write this..we are still trying to dry our wrinkled up passports!). Everything that was not in our 100% waterproof panniers (they SO good…Ortlieb!)…was just soaking wet! My shower proof cycling jacket…which was most readily available…was just a sponge! It is always difficult to take photos which tell the real story: this one is not bad. (We were actually standing under a tree). The wetness…it was torrential….and within minutes our track had become a torrent!!
And our (tiny) ford….for we reversed our intrepid decision!!….had become actually a bit of a challenge!!
But…we made it back to the road….squelching everywhere (so aware that this is the easiest time to get saddle sores!!)….the rain stopped…and just a kms or so away…there was no evidence of rain at all!! We must have looked a sight really…two soaked bunnies…when everywhere we passed had had no rain at all!!
So instead of our cross country route we had to join that main road! Not so bad really! And very scenic…if a bit busy!
…to arrive at our idyllic Greek beach!! (Our house is just five metres from…this):
The owner’s mother greeted us….confirming that they NEVER (usually!) have rain here in May! And they have had plenty…and it is practically June! And she could not remember such a cool May either! Hohum….!
For so many weeks now…the weather is going to be great in a day or two! Maybe that is what is supposed to happen.! But it really has not happened! It is not unpleasant at all…indeed (rain aside!) great for cycling! And the sun has shone for most of the time…but there is a chill in the breeze…which is just not “normal”!
Very sweet place though!
Lovely swimming. Water temperature VERY manageable!!
Imagine the restraint required to take this photo…..!!
