All in a Dave's walk - Itinerary

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Today is finish packing and ready for the off. I detail my itinerary that I arranged with Anna at Aperghi Travel to fit in with my requirements. She will sort everything for you and you can even do just half of the walk if you chose. Visit her site for more information.....www.travelling.gr/aperghi. See the map I added earlier in the week with day breaks inserted.

23rd May 2010 - Fly to Corfu. Check in hotel and if weather ok visit British Cemetary (for orchids and tortoises) and onto Peleopolis. If weather still raining as it has been all this week I'll head to a few of the many museums.

24th May 2010 - start the trail. Transfer to deep south and Kavos. Walk round coast and inland to Spartera - 11km and some 200 metres assent.

25th May 2010 - walk via Lefkimmi and round to west coast at Santa Barbara (Maltas) - 19km

26th May 2010 - walk via Lake Korrission to Paramonas. This is mostly along beach and across sand dunes. 19 km

27th May 2010 - walk inland meandering eastwards before heading north to Stavros, Then down to east coast at Benitses for overnight stay. 13 km with some 400 metres assent/descent.

28th May 2010 - transfer back to Stavros, walk via summit of Agii Deka (2nd highest peak - with golf ball on top for those who have flown into Corfu) and Sinarades to Pelekas. 18km with the peak at 576 metres.

29th May 2010 - walk to Liapades via Myrtiotissa beach and the Ropa Valley. 21km

30th May 2010 - on the 7th day I rest - and I think I will need it. Time to wash clothes if weather good ready for 2nd week; swim and relax on a deserted (hopefully) beach.

31st May 2010 - walk via Paleo, up to Lakones and Bella Vista and onto beach at Ag Georgios (NW). 14 km with some 450 metres of assent/descent today.

1st June 2010 - walk to Rekini junction (a road junction rather than a place) via Agros. 14 k with 300 metre assent. Catch bus (or taxi if miss) to Roda. Evening in Sidari to catch up with friends and visit Orchard restaurant in Canal D'Amour for Debbie's birthday.

2nd June 2010 - bus back to Rekini and start to walk up the Pantokrator slopes to Spartyllas. 12km 300 metres assent.

3rd June 2010 - big day!! Walk to summit of Pantokrator (route skirts summit but I hope weather good and will go to top before returning to route) then via Old Sinies downhill to east coast and along to Kalami where I stay at Thomas's Place on beach. 22km (plus extra 3 km if visit summit) with some 450 metres to peak at 906 metre followed by 906 metre descent.

4th June 2010 - scheduled as a rest day after yesterdays big day and tomorrows bigger one. However if weather ok and bad forecast for tomorrow will finish the Trail today and rest tomorrow. Rest will be just that with a short stroll round to Agni to swim and have lunch.

5th June 2010 - the big final day. 800 metres of continual assent via Porta then onto Old Perithia and then downhill to Almiros beach
on the north coast, to the northernmost point skirt Antinioti Lagoon to end on beach at Ag Spiriodon (taxi back to Kalami). 24 km.

6th June 2010 - transfer to Corfu Town. Opposite of 1st day, weather permitting. Little bit of shopping. My daughter's 21st today.

7th June 2010 - fly home.

While I am away my good friend Ian (another Corfu regular) will ghost write daily updates for you of my progress. What else he adds I fear.........he is just so jealous I'll be supping Amstel from frosted glasses while he is at work especially as he cannot make it to Corfu this year. Also to prove I've done the walk (and because I'm doing it to raise money for the donkeys) he insists I take a toy Shrek with me to appear in photos as evidence. So if you are in Corfu and see Shrek on back of a rucksack it is me so say 'Hi'.

On my return I will write a full report of each day with photos.

My reading book for the holiday was to have been 'Walking the Corfu Trail.........with Friends, Flowers and Food' by John Waller. But its such a good read I've already read it twice (and it was only recently published). Even if you never intend to walk The Corfu Trail I can still recommend the book as he discusses Island matters such as the proposed new airport, alternative energy, tourism etc with his walking guests. So now I am taking Corfu Blues by Jim Potts. It inspired me to pen a short poem.

After months of diet and hard training there is little else left to do
But go to where the yellow sands meet seas of turquoise blue
Purple peaks, colourful flora and the green/grey olive tree lined view
Yes the time has come to start.............so, lets walk Corfu

Hardly Edward Lear, Laurence Durrell or even Jim Potts I know but they have all enjoyed walking on Corfu and I intend to fully enjoy my walk. Hope you to enjoy it from the comfort of you chairs as you travel with me.

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Comments

[Ann Maloney]

Phew!
I'm exhausted reading your itinerary, where's the Mythos! Good luck Dave, enjoy it and I look forward to reading all about it.

[Daveyh]

Thanks Ann, I've made it to Gatwick!! No some sleep

[Annabel]

Your poem!
Wow Fancy Hancy I didn't know you were a secret poet! I loved it and it really spoke to me about the landscape in Corfu. Happy walking and hope it goes well - I'm writing this on your first day of walking. Love Annabel