Introducing this year’s walk with my two friends Mick & Paul. Previously, we have walked the Ridgeway and The Wye Valley Way, and this year we are heading to Greece and the Corfe Trail. The trail is 180 kilometres long stretching the whole length of the island, with plenty of zig-zagging from coast to coast.

I flew into Corfu Airport and met up with the others. It was two buses, the first was only about three stops to the Green Bus Station (€2), and then the Green Bus B1 to Kavos (€5) which took about 90 minutes. Kavos has a one horse town feel about it and we soon walked out in search of our accommodation.

After a bit of a faff we found our accommodation and headed out for our first Greek meal, at the Rose Tree restaurant. It was a very friendly place, and the owner could even speak welsh to make Mick feel at home – well.. he could say “jaki da”. I’ve now leart it’s supposes to be “iechyd da”, which means good health!

I have been in touch with Gelly, a Greek friend, and she had recommended some traditional Corfu dishes, of which Pastitsada was the first. I chose it, and if I had just used the menu, I would have thought it was spaghetti bolognaise, but in fact was much tastier with huge chunks of beef on top of the pasta. I’m looking forward to trying  more recommendations! I added a “giant bean” starter on my own volition.

The next morning we started walking at about 8:30. There was no breakfast, but we had a few biscuits to get us going, keeping the rest in reserve, and headed off. The first thing to note is that the route on my map above ^ is completely wrong. I did have suspicions, however the guide book together with the Corfu Trail markers, provided the correct route.

I won’t try to describe it, but it was hilly to start through olive groves and the occasional view of the sea and mainland Greece. While towards the end the topography eased off and thecroutesxwas on wider tracks, with the occasional boggy bit.

Halfway through the walk we reached Spartera, which promised a cafe and a mini-mart. The Belle Vista didn’t open until 11, so we wasted 30 minutes walking down the hill to the “spectacular yellow church”. We then walked back up, where we were adopted by Sparticus the cat, who led us into the cafe for a fruitless 25 minute wait. It never opened! This is probably something we need to prepare for, being out of season in Corfu.

We got to our lodgings by 1pm (they were switched at the last moment by phone, but were a good pair of studios very near the town) but as they weren’t quite ready, we left our stuff and went in search of lunch and a beer. Lunch was a roll that contained two sausages and cheese, seemingly all baked at once – how is this possible!!

Anyway a nice quiet afternoon, followed and good greek dinner (Soutzoukakia), which finished the day off nicely.

I’m sure I won’t write so much in future – but I will try to post each day, even if only some photos.