Pilgrimage from Pella to Gallicos River 08/05/08

Setting off early we are in good spirits. Thessaloniki is only 39kms away! Our goal is to make 29kms today then walk the last 10kms Friday morning.

The main road is starting to get busier and busier as we get closer and it’s not so pleasant. But unless we want another days walk on top there isn’t an alternative :(

Stopping at a great little café for the worst cup of coffee we have had so far, out comes the backgammon board…

Sabine set the challenge before we had even met when in one of her emails she mentioned that she “never looses in backgammon”. She plays a different game than I am used to but we have been pretty even. The score was 7-3 in my favor before Sabine decided that we might as well play to 10 and the looser pays for a dinner. Having a big lead it would have been silly to refuse, but I know that my luck disappears when I start to play for money. And so it did…

The score is now 9-8 (or possibly 9-9 as I think Sabine won one more than she counted) and the tension is high! I have one piece left on the board and Sabine has two. It couldn’t be any closer and my pulse is racing as I go to take my next throw. I need a five to secure victory and Sabine’s scream is enough to confirm my delight :)

Stopping regularly we make good time and start getting into the industrial area of Thessaloniki. Watching the kilometers tick down it is starting to look like it will be difficult to find a camping spot, but then right on near the 11km to go sign we cross a river with a big paddock next to it. Perfect… :)