Corfu

Between the 4 and 11 May we had a great 'sunshine' holiday in Corfu, Greece. It was a very different destination for me but the whole trip was superb.

We flew from Leeds/Bradford Airport, having spent the night at my Mums, to Corfu on Wednesday 4 May and picked up our wee Peugeot 107 hire car. Susan then drove us across to the NW coast and the town of Paleokastritsa where we'd rented a small apartment. The weather was stunning and I was amazed by the colour of the sea. Having settled in to our excellent 'digs' we went for an exploratory wander and started to make plans for our first full day. We then had our first meal out before having an early night.

Parking our wee car in Paleokastritsa.

Susan outside our ground floor apartment.

The view from our terrace of the harbour.

Making plans for our first walk.

Boats in the harbour.

The north bay in the evening.

A holiday away from the mountains.

Day one coming to an end.

Thursday 5 May - After a great nights sleep we woke to blue skies and had breakfast on the terrace. We had decided to do a walk directly from the town so set off just after 9am. Our route was a circuit taking in the villages of Lakones and Makrades as well as the old fortress of Angelokastro. It gave stunning views of the coast and the upland interior of the island. The tracks were rough in places and the walking was always interesting.

At the start of the Donkey track to Lakones.

Some impressive crags.

The main street of Lakones.

Looking down on Paleokastritsa. 

Rough donkey track with the mountains of Albania in the distance.

Tall .... trees 

The interior of the island is hilly and green.

Walking through an Olive Grove on route to Makrades.

Cafe stop in Makrades.

Some welcome shade and a cold drink while I wait for my ice cream.

The old man in the cafe had to ring for help to serve this up - worth the wait!!

The impressive Angelokastro fortress.

Looking to Paleokastritsa on the climb up to Angelokastro. 

Mild scrambling on route.

Up in the fortress looking south along the west coast.

Enjoying the blue sky and sea.

Stunning blue sea.

Exploring the fortress.

Starting the descent.

A 'classic' Olive grove.

The view down to Paleokastritsa. 

Looking back up to the fortress on top of the hill.

Cooling the feet back at 'our' beach.

Well earned beer.

In the evening we ate out and then wandered up the nearby headland for a great view along the coast. 

Walking up the headland.

Looking up to the hills we'd walked in during the day.

Old defences. 

The Monastery on the headland. 

On the headland summit.

Looking south along the magnificent coast.

Friday 6 May - After a day exploring locally we decided to explore further afield so Susan drove us north to the coastal town of Sidari so that we could walk to the headland at Cape Drastis which looked amazing in the guidebook pictures. 

Sidari was a very 'touristy' resort but we soon escaped and the walk took us along tracks to explore the coastline. We saw few other people throughout a 10 mile wander and were not disappointed by the stunning coast.

The 'touristy' Sidari.

We soon found this empty beach.

'Do you want a lemon?'

Good empty tracks all the way.

Looking to the mountains of Albania.

Our first view of Cape Drastis.

On route we found this amazing cove.

Susan taking in the view.

Well maintained paths made the walking easy.

The stunning Cape Drastis. 

A tricky section of path.

The north coast - 'don't stand too near the edge'.

Impressive path.

Our typical lunch during the week.

A last look at the Cape.

Heading back to Sidari.

Enjoying homemade lemon cake.

After dinner we explored the harbour and when it was dark went out to see the amazing Corfu Fireflies. These are only found on the island and can only be seen in May.

The harbour from our terrace.

Out for an evening stroll.

A fishing boat leaving for the 'night shift'.

Looking back to the apartment.

Evening sun on the coast.

Saturday 7 May - With Susan at the wheel we headed to Liapades further south on the west coast. Our plan was to walk to two isolated bay beaches at Liniodaros and Limni. After stocking up in the local bakery we headed off and enjoyed a stunning walk through Olive groves to the first beach. We had the bay to ourselves apart from a couple of 'boat visitors' and Susan enjoyed a swim in the clear blue water. After lunch we packed up and head to Limni. This was a sand spit between two bays on either side of a narrow headland and was empty. Even I was tempted to take a dip in the refreshingly cool sea before we headed back to Paleo.

The evening meal out was again superb and we as always had a relaxing walk around the town afterwards.

Heading out on another sunny day.

The hill village of  Liapades.

Exploring the village.

The village church.

Looking north along the coast.

Heading off to the beach.

Strolling through the Olive Groves.

The path was not always clear to follow.

Which way now?

Starting the descent to Liniodoros Beach.

The beach comes into view.

Beautifully clear water.

Time for a swim.

Drying off.

Heading for beach number 2.

A faint but beautiful path.

Having a wee rest.

Looking down to Limni Beach.

Starting the descent through more Olive groves.

The south beach at Limni.

I must have had too much sun!!!!!

A wee bite to eat.

The north beach.

Cooling the car before heading 'home'.

Our favourite place to eat - Nikos.

Sunday 8 May - We woke to another suuny day and headed of to Pelekas an old mountain village. Here we bought our lunch bread and got directions to Kellia. From here we completed an excellent circuit taking in Mirtiotissas Beach and Agios Georgios - a wee 403m mountain which gave extensive views across the whole island. During the ascent we met a large religious group who were descending after a summit service. They were carrying crosses, flags, bibles and pictures of Jesus. Unfortunately as we descended we passed an old lady from the group who had fallen and appeared to have a broken ankle. We later passed a rescue team heading up to stretcher her down.
In the evening after another excellent meal in Nikos we reclimbed the headland above the town and watched the sun set on another glorious Corfu day.

Heading out.

Mirtiotissas beach.

The track down to the beach.

Strolling on the beach.

Not a bad place to be.

Looking back to the beach.

A monastery on route to  Agios Georgios mountain.

A good track to follow.

Plenty of cacti.

Our first view of Agios Georgios mountain.

On the ascent.

Looking north along the coast.

Near the summit.

The summit chapel.

Extensive views across the island:

Looking south along the coast.

Heading down.

Evening light on the Paleokastritsa cliffs. 

On the Paleokastritsa headland.

Corfu sunset.

Nikos.

Monday 9 May - We were up at 7.30 and after breakfast on the patio headed north to Afionas. This took longer than expected due to a few wrong turns but we were soon walking to the headland at Porto Timoni. This is said to be the most beautiful spot on Corfu. It's a narrow isthmus with twin bays and is reached by a rough path with excellent views. We weren't tempted into the sea but had a paddle and an early lunch. We also walked on to visit a wee chapel dedicated to St. Stlianos a hermit who apparently lived there.
On returning to Afionas we walked to the beach at Agios Georgios North. It was a stunning beach but there appeared to strong currents so we again just 'plodged' .

Strolling through Afionas.

Afionas church and war memorial.

Having a wee treat to get over a stressful drive.

The rough track to Porto Timoni.

The stunning Porto Timoni.

The north beach.

Enjoying a paddle.

Taking it all in.

Above the north beach.

Heading to the chapel.

Looking down onto the bay.

A narrow track.

Outside the chapel.

The chapel built into the headland.

Inside the chapel.

Heading back to the beach.

Lunch.

An Englishman abroad - the south beach/bay.

Superb cliff scenery.

Including this arch.

Walking to Agios Georgios North.

The beach at Agios Georgios North.

Susan taking a stroll.

Monday 10 May - This was our last full day on the island. We spent the morning exploring Paleokastritsa south of the harbour. The south beach was beautiful and Susan had another swim while I relaxed in the sun.
In the afternoon we revisited the old hill village of Lakones where we found a traditional Kafenio and sampled Baklava for the first time - yummy!!!
Our last meal had to be at Nikos after which we strolled around the harbour before going to pack. Before bed we went out to take a last look at the amazing Fireflies.

South Paleokastritsa views:

The pebble beach.

Susan couldn't resist a swim.

Heading back to Lakones. 

In the shade of an Olive tree.

Climbing into Lakones. 

Exploring the village.

Some very old cars on the road.

Wine and Baklava.

Heading back to 'Paleo'.

Descending through the Olive groves.

A last view down onto 'Paleo'.

Back to the excellent Nikos.

The final day comes to an end.

Tuesday 11 May - Before driving to the airport we had a last wander around the harbour. The sky was overcast and it it was much cooler but this didn't make heading home any easier. We'd had a great trip and we'll hopefully be back to explore the NE of the island next year.

The harbour from our apartment beach.

Looking back across the harbour to the apartment.

Do we have to go?