Our host arrived at the front door on Christmas Eve with yet another tray of ‘Christmas Cakes’! This time she also had a Santa hat on and a little bag of wrapped presents for us each!

We’d spent the overcast day exploring a section of the coast and managed a short cliff top walk near Kymi beach. On Christmas morning, the overnight rain clouds were just clearing as we woke and as the sun rose, the day soon turned into the warm blue sky Christmas vibe that we’d been hoping for!

We’d gone to bed thinking that we might go straight down to the coast for a swim at Kymi Beach, but the balcony in the morning light was took good to rush away from! While the day warmed up and got going, so did we, delighting in the feel of sun on skin.

At the beach, we were starting to think that it was a little bit breezy, when we were joined by a couple of elderly locals, who stripped off and got in without fuss! Another woman pulled up in a car, wished us a happy Christmas and an enjoyable swim before getting changed and swimming off…

We therefore had to make it look as though the water wasn’t too cold and I couldn’t go through my usual procrastinations, but on the plus side, we were soon in and snorkelling with the fish rather than shivering on the side trying to commit!

Clare’s resistance to the cold, along with her strength in general, has been severely depleted since her illness, so for probably the first time ever, she got out before me. It turns out, I’d got so cold I couldn’t tell if I was hot or cold – I thought I was still warm, but when I got out, turned very pink in colour, which suggested otherwise!

It was certainly warmer than Wales and the sea was wonderfully clear and full of fishes to dive down and swim with. A fantastic and friendly way to spend Christmas morning.

Having eaten our (second) breakfast on arrival at the beach, once we got out and dried off, we decided to get back to the warmth of the balcony as it was completely sheltered from the slight, (yet cooling), breeze. We warmed up under and enormous fleece blanket, before opening the Christmas presents from our host.

We both got some bracelets, Clare an ornate ring and a new diary and I unwrapped a new mug! Very thoughtful. And naturally accompanied by plenty of Greek sweet cakes.

Around 14:00, we drove up the hill to the Manikia climbing area and set off up some really nice climbs on the ‘Rainbow’ Sector.

To begin with, it was hot enough to be shirtless on the first climb we did. Grippy hot rock, sharp pocket edges and plenty of bolts made for another super Christmas present.

As the shadow moved around the cliff, we worked our way rightward to stay in the sun.

Clare climbed her first route of the trip, but didn’t want to overdo it, so stayed on the ground and belayed me on a few other shorter climbs while we were up there.

We climbed on the slabs to the side of an impressive tufa covered overhang, which seemed to be glowing in the sunlight.

After a few climbs, we just sat at the base of the cliff watching the light change as the sun set. There wasn’t a sound to be heard in all the valley. A very peaceful Christmas afternoon!

Once the sun had set, we walked back to the car and drove the ten minutes back to the pad, feeling very satisfied and ready for our ‘traditional’ Ian and Clare style Christmas Dinner.

The ‘meal’ (extended grazing), had a fabulous local cheese board starter, accompanied by a a glass of Greek wine. Then after a shower and a change of clothes, the main course involved fresh quesadillas, and the dessert, more cakes and a honey yogurt pot. The remainder of the evening was spent on phone calls and FaceTimes to the rest of the family around the world, each having their own ‘traditional’ day!

Happy Christmas…

Climbs at Rainbow Left, Manikia:

• Kalmyn Hero’s, 6a
• Gros Guignil, 6a
• Rouge Gorge, 6a
• Aigle Noir, 6b+*