The women on the Gatwick flight arrived early enough to spend an afternoon on the beach if they wished.

The Manchester flight arrived much later, and we only really all met each other at breakfast the next day!

Needless to say, breakfast was late - to make up for all that travelling the day before!

Then we set off on our first walks. There was a choice of: short gentle, long gentle, and low intermediate.

The weather was warm, but not hot, and there was always a cooling breeze.

The short gentle walk explored the eastern side of the valley with Linda. The path they took gave fine views back to Skala Eressos and the sea.

The other 2 groups headed inland towards Eressos village.

The longer gentle walk with Helen turned back after lunching in the shade at a scenic shrine.

The Eressos valley is richly cultivated - with olive and fig trees, vegetable gardens, and irrigated fields full of fodder.

Helen's group were not the only ones tempted by ripe figs - overhanging the path!

The intermediate walk with Diana went all the way to Eressos village, and then returned on the other side of the river.

Here we stopped for a drink in a taverna before finding somewhere shady for lunch.

By the time we reached the sea we were well ready for a swim. Once we found the others, packs were left dumped on the sand, and we headed for the water!

In the evening we all ate together at the Antiopi - giving us a chance to get to know each other - and learn some more names!

Some women then partied till late down on the waterfront.

Today dawned cloudy - most unusual! And instead of walking to nearby Kroussos Bay, all three groups climbed the path to Agios Iannis on the cliff top above Skala Eressos - each taking the time needed.

Agios Iannis is a small shrine with stunning views of the coast in both directions.

We stayed there for a while to catch our breath!

There was now a choice - to explore with me down to a little cove beyond Agios Iannis, or to return to Skala Eressos with Linda and Helen for an afternoon on the beach (there was also a volley ball tournament in the offing!)

In the end, about 12 of us headed off down the hill, dodging thorn and thistle in seach of a way to the cove.

The sun clouded over as we arrived, and in the end only 3 of us swam. The beach was also pretty stony!

As we made our way up the hill after lunch, someone spotted a tortoise - native to the island.

Storm clouds were gathering in the west behind us, and then it started to thunder. Soon we could see lightening striking the sea and the hills towards Sigri.

The rain started as we descended to Skala Eressos, and we were pleasantly soaked by the time we arrived!

2 women couldn't resist the big waves that had developed with the storm, while the rest retired to drink hot chocolate in Sapphos!!

Even as the storm retreated, the sun returned, and many headed for the beach for the rest of the afternoon -

- or into the sea to enjoy the big waves!

In the evening, we met up at Yamas bar - for drinks of all kinds, before splitting into smaller groups to go and eat.

After eating, many gravitated to the apple strudel bar for tea, coffee, and/or strudel! Later, there was a Drag Kings and Queens night at Fuegos which was well attended till the small hours.

Perfect walking weather today - cloudy with a light breeze!

Linda took a lovely gentle walk - though with vastly reduced numbers as there were quite a few women taking the day off.

The rest wanted an intermediate walk, so Helen and I set off with a larger group than normal into the volcanic hinterland behind Eressos village. It was great to have 2 guides on this walk so that everyone could walk at their own pace.

The sun came out at times but it was never too hot. The landscape looked freshly washed after yesterday's storm.

At the head of the valley we took sheep tracks to reach the Andissa road, then followed the road till we reached a path onto the ridge.

Here we stopped for lunch outside a small shrine perched above the gorge - the same one that we will walk in 2 days time.

Descending from the ridge, Eressos came into view, and we took an old donkey track down to the village - and stopped at a cafe for a drink.

A shower of rain brought on an impromptu display of Irish dancing - much to the delight of the Greeks present!

Some of us then walked back to Skala Eressos - dodging the last of the raindrops - while others went home by taxi!

That night as we ate dinner by the sea, the thunder and lightening returned, lighting up half the sky. (I took lots of photos but was always that second too late!!)

This morning the sun was shining again, and though it clouded over at one point, the sun now seems back to stay!

Linda took a gentle walk in the valley for those who wanted most of the day on the beach.

They had a lovely day - and a very satisfying detour to the Turkish ruin on top of Vigla hill.

After a rest in a taverna on the front, they spent the afternoon on the beach.

Meanwhile, Helen and I took an intermediate walk into the Malionda valley a few kilometres away by taxi.

We set off along walled, donkey tracks between lovely plane trees and olive groves.

As we turned into the upper section of the valley, we could see fantastic volcanic rocks on both sides.

We stopped for a late-morning break by the river, and some of us took a plunge in a water-carved pool.

Then we continued on up the river, scrambling and boulder-hopping through a short gorge and out the other side.

After a second break in a shady deserted orchard, we headed back along a path high above the gorge.

Miraculously, our taxis arrived on time at the pick-up point - quite unlike in the morning - and there was even time for the beach once we were back in Skala Eressos.

In the evening, everyone met up for drinks at Sappho's, and then quite a few of us ate there as well. Great food!

Fab day - not too hot, cool breeze, and hardly a cloud! Linda & Helen offered 2 gentle walks to nearby Kroussos bay - 'late', and 'later', as many wanted a lie-in and then breakfast at Sappho's!

These were very popular options, needless to say.

Once there, everyone swam and sunbathed, or relaxed in the shade.

Some women were ready to come back in the early afternoon with Linda. Others stayed longer on the beach with Helen, and then headed back over the hill.

The intermediate walk, meanwhile, made for the Pithariou Monastery and the Eressos gorge.

First we walked past the new dam at the head of the Eressos valley.

On reaching the monastery, we donned sarongs to have a look around. Only one monk was there, and he assumed that, like most Greeks, we'd come for a blessing!

We were treated to a drink of cold water, followed by Greek Delight (ie. like Turkish Delight!). None of this has ever happened here before!

Moving on as soon as politeness would allow, we made for the gorge. Normally in September there is very little water here. After the thunderstorm 2 days ago , we weren't sure what to expect!

This is a wonderful gorge that no one else seems to walk. It isn't really a walk - more like a boulder-hopping scramble. We stopped early at a permanent pool for lunch and a dip.

After lunch we soon reached a dramatic water-carved channel that involved some scrambling.

This is the narrowest part of the gorge, and the view from above was stunning.

We continued on, pushing past bushes, hopping over more boulders, and then negotiating mud from the flashflood that had followed the thunderstorm. The mud was hard to avoid - but some women tried!

Finally, the landscape opened out, and 11 weary, but well-satisfied, women made their way up to the main road just in time to catch the bus to Skala. Good timing!

Our last walking day as a whole group! Only the Manchester women will have time for a walk tomorrow if they wish.

Today we took a coach to the Petrified Forest at Sigri - one of only very few in the world. There, we discovered we had a cat whisperer in the group!

The coach then took us to Sigri village, and we walked to a stunning deserted beach a short way along the coast.

Sheets from the Antiopi and driftwood built a shelter for some, while others swam or soaked in the sun.

After we'd had enough, we headed back to Sigri, had a drink, and then caught Captain Petras' boat back to Skala Eressos.

Just before Skala Eressos, we sailed past the rock that Sappho supposedly threw herself off.

When we got back, some women swam to the rock in the bay, some womaned rescue boats, and some cheered from the shore (from the bar, that is!)

The whole group ate together at the Sappho Hotel in the evening, then many trouped along to the apple strudel cafe for a last drink or strudel before bed.

The Gatwick taxis left after breakfast today, with many sad goodbyes - and even a few tears.

Several of the Manchester crew wanted a walk before the beach - so we went for a scramble to a cave we'd spotted on the first day's walk.

The cave was just under the summit, and you could clamber through from one side of the hill to the other - on a bed of deep sheep shit!

Plenty of photos were taken, including one of the whole group.

A couple of women couldn't resist the hill's twin peak - scrambling on their own to the top.

We had lunch under an oak tree before we moved on, and then returned to Skala Eressos for some sun, sea, and strudel before our taxis to the airport in the early evening. Finally the end of, I hope, a great holiday for all!