Paphos People

Hi Folks

Fellow regular walkers may remember last February we offered this walk led by Margaret. At that time it was very well supported. She has kindly offered to lead this weeks walk to this area again but has changed the route a little. For this Wednesdays walk we are visiting Neo Theletra.


Actually, there are two villages of Theletra. Kato (Old) Theletra Village is located about 27kms from Paphos and about 13kms from Polis. The old village of Theletra was abandoned, then the new village of Neo Theletra was built.

There are two stories as to why Kato Theletra was abandoned. One is that the village was threatened by landslip from the hill above it because of a huge earthquake at the beginning of the 1980s and the village was evacuated. The residents were then relocated to Pano (Neo) Theletra Village which is on a mountain shelf just above the old village. The other is that the villagers ran out of dowry land then conned the government into giving them a new village at the top of the hill. Rumor has it that there was no space left for new ‘brides houses’ in the old village and that the villagers’ children could not longer be accommodated. So the inhabitants made up the story about the landslide risk in order to get land from and funded by the government. Whatever the real reason it is worth a visit.

Margaret describes the walk thus:

'New Theletra revisited.

I shall be changing the route on this walk as a lot of the regular walkers turned up for the first one so I want to take a different track.
We take the track downhill through the village, having the sea on the left and valley and pine clad mountains in front. Leaving the village we go south seeing the wind farm which is near the airport in the distance. Soon we are on track and walking through farmland, vineyards, almond groves and a small holding. We also see the damage a huge fire caused last year. Crossing over the road and round the big hill we now see the ship wreck in the sea at Paphos. We carry on crossing over the road again and take another track back to Theletra. Walk doesn't go near old Theletra.
We do have an uphill climb at end of walk to the cars but taken steady its fine. This is because there is nowhere suitable to park at bottom end of village'.

I'm really excited about this walk as I haven't been to this area before, not being around when Margaret first led this walk. If you are like me, this will be a perfect opportunity to discover another beautiful area of Cyprus on foot. For the walkers who have already been on this walk before Margaret has changed the route so you will be sure to see some new scenery.

Stay on afterwards for drink/lunch at the Farmyard, Kathikas where you can treat yourself to a delicious lunch and a chance to further socialise with the other walkers.

POLIS/LATCHI WALKING GROUP

INVITE YOU



WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016

MARGARETS NEW THELETRA REVISITED CIRCULAR WALK (2 HRS)


Time: 09.15 for 09.30 start

Start from: We park on verge at top of village by the pine trees

Forecast is showing hot and sunny, so sun hats might be advisable. Also recommend slapping on the sunscreen, strong walking boots/trainers and remember to bring plenty of drinking water with you. Margaret advises walking poles.

Always looking for volunteers to lead a walk so if you have a favourite, share it with us and get in touch. Why don't you showcase your own village (as Margaret has with this weeks walk) with all its hidden attractions that only people like yourself living there would know about. Have a walk for next week but looking for volunteer walk leaders for future walks in November/December.

Caveat: Walking at your own risk

Directions
Coming from Prodromi, drive straight through Kathikas towards Stroumbi (E711), you will have the graveyard on your right continue past then the turning is on the left on the bend, there is a sign for it on the road. Follow this road till you come to the graffiti covered welcome to Theletra sign. Plenty of room for parking on verge under the pine trees.

From Paphos: B7 Paphos/Polis Road, turn left past the Oak Trees tavern, formerly Dionysos. Continue on this road, There is a big plastic water tank on the right just before the turn to Theletra.


Further information contact Maria Tel 99476801