Athens and I had a moment today. Honestly, the city is a bit… bronzed. Not sun-kissed, just a kind of dusty bronze that coats absolutely everything. Sure, there are pockets of chic charm sprinkled about, but without the Acropolis, would people still flock here? Hard to say. The street art scene is a mixed bag.
I pedalled out of Marianthi’s compound beneath gloomy skies, rain threatening to tumble down at any moment. As an early riser, I headed off before she was up — but we had already wished each other all the very best the night before, parting on kind and hopeful terms. The 10 km ride into Volos
Well, it will come as no surprise that my time here is coming to an early end. Marianthi and I agreed that I’ll head off on Thursday morning, as Mike has Tuesdays and Wednesdays off and it just makes sense. Until then, I’ll be sorting out my own meals or eating out. The final nudge?
Meet Svoorita — a beautiful girl who arrived in the world with more challenges than most. She was thrown over a fence at just eight weeks old, only able to walk in circles, cross-eyed, and unable to hold her head up properly. Marianthi took her in with hope (and a lot of heart), treating her
Well… day two in paradise, and let’s just say paradise has seen better days! It turns out this “clean energy retreat” has actually been on a two-year retreat of its own — abandoned, sunbathing, and definitely not doing any chores. Marianthi’s online write-up may have been written in a slightly more optimistic universe! Mike, the
Well, I’m finally here! There’s plenty to learn, endless cuddles to hand out, and the food… honestly, dangerously incredible. The best part? I’m only ten minutes from either a sparkling gulf of the Aegean Sea or the foothills of Mount Pelion. So yes, exploring is absolutely on the agenda—right after I convince all the animals
My 62 km ride today started exactly as promised. A major road, yes — but not a highway, and every review online described it as a relaxed, enjoyable route. And they were right! There was plenty of shoulder, the traffic was steady but respectful, and honestly, it felt like every driver must’ve had a cyclist
Tonight I’m tucked into a perfectly standard one-bedroom apartment in Larisa — or so I thought. Within five minutes of walking through the door, I began to suspect I’d accidentally checked into the Greek branch of the International Safety Training Academy. First, there’s a large fire extinguisher by the door. Not your polite little red
I’ve just spent two nights in Trikala — proudly known as the Christmas Capital of Greece — and honestly, the festive spirit here could power its own national grid. Just around the corner from my apartment, an entire Christmas Wonderland was being constructed for the grand opening on the 21st of November. Apparently, thousands of
On the 20th of November, I’ll be starting my two-month Workaway assignment — and honestly, I’m so ready for it. My main role? Looking after a small (…ish) crew: six dogs, twelve cats, and fourteen chickens. Easy! Well… until you remember that Marianthi, the lovely human behind this retreat, is basically the local animal-rescue hotline.