Hiking in the Troodos range

For this range we have no borders to cross, no passports to present, just mountains to climb and waterfalls to dip toes into.  One road leads to the top - Troodos nearly 2000 metres high. On a good year it will be covered in snow and offer Cypriots a couple of ski runs. What is on offers all year round are small mountain villages where the only noise are birds chirping and water cascading. Geraniums and roses abound. Hubby a little jealous. The scent of blossoms everywhere. 

The mountains of my youth are in essence the same. Some of the changes we noticed suggest they are slowly realising their value and their beauty. Viewing points have appeared along the road. Gardens of local plants and herbs are popping up, the most extensive being the A.G Leventis Garden in Amiantos. https://www.cyprusisland.net/attractions/ag-leventis-botanical-garden

More importantly the mine and the ugly slag heaps and empty hillsides have now been planted. What joy. Huge effort to restore the forest.A government initiative I think.

Troodos square remains almost untouched after so many years. We ate trout farmed in the area at Fereos -A family name that has been there for such a long time. We visited falls,

https://www.cyprusisland.net/cyprus-waterfalls/caledonia-waterfalls-kalidonia and walk trails and and came back to our home for the next few nights, Casale Panayiotis in Kalopanayiotis, http://casalepanayiotis.com a tasteful upgrade of village homes and heritage buildings near the famous painted churches of Cyprus. So much of what has been achieved has been thanks to the EU and other grants being made available. Makes you think, does it not, why the UK would not want to be part of this. 

 The smell of pine everywhere in the forest - the floor covered with fallen needles. Fascinating insights into frescoes, history and the natural world. Subjects we love.

 The olive trees are so laden with blossom - after all the rain it will be a bumper crop this year. The olive oil will flow. The ears of wheat just changing in the sunshine. A mediterranean delight.