Monday 20 June: to Leonidio

 No pick up trucks, no lift just an early alarm at 5.30am. Neither of us slept well due to live music in the town which continued until after 2am. We see the sunrise over the sea as we head off. It it blissfully cool! We follow the new coast road which undulates northwards. Our shadows are cast on the red rock beside the road as the sun inches higher to our right, the temperature rising accordingly. The road is deserted and we barely see a car. It is certainly stunning. One long pull gets us to Fokiano where we had hoped to get a coffee and some breakfast. The taverna is large with hundreds of tables and beach umbrellas. It is very picturesque but very closed! It is only 8am! We dip in the sea to cool our bodies before some peanut brittle, crisps and stale bread. We then climb steadily upwards, the road looping in hairpin bends. Finally we get to Pigadi where we are thrilled to find an open door to a taverna. We enjoy a fruit juice and restock with water. The old man cannot get the coffee machine to work. Then a bit more up before a dramatic descent winding downwards to the coast at Pulithra. We find some rustic beach umbrellas by the turquoise sea and crash out. Only 3 flat miles left so we can afford to relax with some drinks, reading and swimming. We have a delicious lunch at a nearby taverna Myrtoos: aubergine imam, fava dip and Greek salad of course! We arrive at our hotel in Leonidio which is a beautifully restored house with a pool! After a dip we wander around the rather attractive town. Aperol Spritz in a bar before a not very nice pizza cooked in a wood oven. Too much of the local Tsakorian aubergine! Another early alarm is set…