Athens
Monday 9 April 2012
Drove through Athens to Nea Kifissia Campsite. Pleasant place.
Drove through Athens to Nea Kifissia Campsite. Pleasant place.
Acropolis of course.
Tuesday 10 April 2012
Bus to Metro and into town €0.70. On the way back the bus driver got lost and it took 50 minutes instead of 10.
Visited Acropolis and it’s museum then walked around the old town which was very nice. The Acropolis is a building site without builders, but they have a lot of equipment and sponsorship from the EU. Not bad, eh?
Did not buy meat in the meat market. I've never fancied lungs for lunch.
On return to camp Brian and Carol were on the next pitch. He has a suspension problem.
Much cooler today.
Bus to Metro and into town €0.70. On the way back the bus driver got lost and it took 50 minutes instead of 10.
Visited Acropolis and it’s museum then walked around the old town which was very nice. The Acropolis is a building site without builders, but they have a lot of equipment and sponsorship from the EU. Not bad, eh?
Did not buy meat in the meat market. I've never fancied lungs for lunch.
On return to camp Brian and Carol were on the next pitch. He has a suspension problem.
Much cooler today.
Wednesday 11 April 2012
Into town again to visit National Museum. They have a LOT of Greek Urns! Warmer today
Into town again to visit National Museum. They have a LOT of Greek Urns! Warmer today
Poseidon at Sounion
Fantastic setting for the temple.
Thursday 12 April 2012
Leisurely morning departing and travelled in convoy with Brian and Carol through Athens suburbs and out towards Vari. Bought more Loo Blue at a caravan dealer while Brian arranged repairs. We went on to stop at Poseidon Temple in Sounion. Very dramatic setting and worth visiting if only for the views. Also many very friendly Greek Partridges walking around our feet.
We stopped for the night behind the taverna below the Poseidon hill.
Leisurely morning departing and travelled in convoy with Brian and Carol through Athens suburbs and out towards Vari. Bought more Loo Blue at a caravan dealer while Brian arranged repairs. We went on to stop at Poseidon Temple in Sounion. Very dramatic setting and worth visiting if only for the views. Also many very friendly Greek Partridges walking around our feet.
We stopped for the night behind the taverna below the Poseidon hill.
FRIDAY THE 13th
Friday 13 April 2012
After a peaceful night behind the tavern we found that the engine battery was flat. Ian had been trying out the new camera battery charger and then the Mac charger from the cigarette lighter. What a mistake to make. The taverna people lent us one of those portable battery packs. However that was also flat. Then a visitor from Athens gave us a jump start. The taverna also gave us free coffee. What nice people we meet.
While in the taverna the staff became very excited as a flock of about 15 birds flew over the bay. They had large wing span and appeared black against the sky. The staff said they came from Africa carrying their chicks on their wings! Maybe they were storks and a bit of Greek myth and magic was involved in the translation. It was too early for ouzo. But they did not look like the storks we have seen flying in Hungary.
Without stopping, we drove for one hour to a small village near Vravrona and found a Night Stop recommended by Brian and Carol. Today was overcast, showers and humid.
After a peaceful night behind the tavern we found that the engine battery was flat. Ian had been trying out the new camera battery charger and then the Mac charger from the cigarette lighter. What a mistake to make. The taverna people lent us one of those portable battery packs. However that was also flat. Then a visitor from Athens gave us a jump start. The taverna also gave us free coffee. What nice people we meet.
While in the taverna the staff became very excited as a flock of about 15 birds flew over the bay. They had large wing span and appeared black against the sky. The staff said they came from Africa carrying their chicks on their wings! Maybe they were storks and a bit of Greek myth and magic was involved in the translation. It was too early for ouzo. But they did not look like the storks we have seen flying in Hungary.
Without stopping, we drove for one hour to a small village near Vravrona and found a Night Stop recommended by Brian and Carol. Today was overcast, showers and humid.
Marathon
Seems like a nice boy in Marathon Museum.
Saturday 14 April 2012
Drove to Marathon and looked around the excellent small museum which was free. Then went to see the Monument to the Battle of Marathon followed by a run out to the dam that supplies Athens. Big but not easy to actually see it.
In evening we met up with Brian and Carol on the beach at Schinias under the pines. Spent a very sociable evening together.
Sunday 15 April 2012
In the morning a warden for the area told us we could stay all day but NOT at night... oops. Relaxing day on the beach. Sunny but very windy. Brian and Carol set off up north while we stayed and relaxed and had a Full English. In the evening we did as instructed a left to find a Night Stop in the large disused car park of the Olympic Rowing site. Judit had chance to practice driving Bessy around the car park.
Monday 16 April 2012
Another lazy day watching kite surfers leaping about the waves. Chatted to the wardens of the pine forest. They were very pleasant ladies. Drove to the ferry harbour a few miles north but no place to stay so returned to the Museum car park. It's amazing how many market garden workers in Greece are actually Pakistani.
Drove to Marathon and looked around the excellent small museum which was free. Then went to see the Monument to the Battle of Marathon followed by a run out to the dam that supplies Athens. Big but not easy to actually see it.
In evening we met up with Brian and Carol on the beach at Schinias under the pines. Spent a very sociable evening together.
Sunday 15 April 2012
In the morning a warden for the area told us we could stay all day but NOT at night... oops. Relaxing day on the beach. Sunny but very windy. Brian and Carol set off up north while we stayed and relaxed and had a Full English. In the evening we did as instructed a left to find a Night Stop in the large disused car park of the Olympic Rowing site. Judit had chance to practice driving Bessy around the car park.
Monday 16 April 2012
Another lazy day watching kite surfers leaping about the waves. Chatted to the wardens of the pine forest. They were very pleasant ladies. Drove to the ferry harbour a few miles north but no place to stay so returned to the Museum car park. It's amazing how many market garden workers in Greece are actually Pakistani.
Eretrea
Brian and Carol in their Bessecarr.
Tuesday 17 April 2012
Moved North to get onto the island of Evia. On the way filled up the diesel and water at a filling station. The new bridge to the island was nicely hidden from the SatNav for a while. It looks like leaving the island would entail long queues of traffic. However we headed south along the coast and stopped at Eretria (spellings in English are a nightmare. It could be Eritrea, Eretrea, etc.)
Weather was overcast and very windy. Brian and Carol found us in a wifi cafe.
Wednesday 18 April 2012
During the night the wind in was so severe we had to move to a more sheltered spot at 0330. It rained heavily all day and we had a wet walk out. The high spot was meeting Brian and Carol again. How many times can we keep doing this!
Moved North to get onto the island of Evia. On the way filled up the diesel and water at a filling station. The new bridge to the island was nicely hidden from the SatNav for a while. It looks like leaving the island would entail long queues of traffic. However we headed south along the coast and stopped at Eretria (spellings in English are a nightmare. It could be Eritrea, Eretrea, etc.)
Weather was overcast and very windy. Brian and Carol found us in a wifi cafe.
Wednesday 18 April 2012
During the night the wind in was so severe we had to move to a more sheltered spot at 0330. It rained heavily all day and we had a wet walk out. The high spot was meeting Brian and Carol again. How many times can we keep doing this!
Aghios Dimitrios
Thursday 19 April 2012
South to Aghios Dimitrios. Very steep and very long descent to a beach under pines. A dead turtle on the beach. The spot was lovely and peaceful. A local van stopped one morning. It was the milk and bread man. Great spot.
But a lot of rubbish... the Greeks do not seem to care.
Friday 20 April 2012
Windy again so walked and read, Ian is waiting for decent weather to have a go at fishing. We walked and found a road to Panagia and a very friendly overweight pit bull terrier. He wanted to sit on the bench and shoved Judit off! But stayed for a stroke from Ian.
South to Aghios Dimitrios. Very steep and very long descent to a beach under pines. A dead turtle on the beach. The spot was lovely and peaceful. A local van stopped one morning. It was the milk and bread man. Great spot.
But a lot of rubbish... the Greeks do not seem to care.
Friday 20 April 2012
Windy again so walked and read, Ian is waiting for decent weather to have a go at fishing. We walked and found a road to Panagia and a very friendly overweight pit bull terrier. He wanted to sit on the bench and shoved Judit off! But stayed for a stroke from Ian.
Food
Vlue is God's favourite colour
Saturday/Sunday 21/22 April 2012
Arrived in Karystos at the Southern end of Evia. Beautiful road all the way, except for certain sections where the road surface reminded us of Romania!
The town is fairly large and very busy. We parked in PJ’s spot in a gravel car park next to the harbour where it’s very busy, especially on a Saturday night. But no real aggro. The pizza place across the road, ZYGOS, is run by Vasili and his family and they have free wifi which works across the road.
Just off shore is a Greek warship. It looks like the crew are having a run ashore. A trawler, the largest we’ve seen in Greece was having a work over just next to us with the crew repairing nets all day.
In the evening the sound of discos and cafes was drowned by a man giving a speech through massive loudspeakers. Apparently he was touting for the Communist Party in the upcoming elections!
Sunday was very hot and calm for a change, so we had a stroll around town and chatted with some young guys. They are not happy with the EU and blame Greece’s problems on crazy politicians... Greek and EU varieties.
Vasilis kindly let me watch the Bahrain Grand Prix. And he gave me some delicious fish. I can recommend this place. Plus he has some apartments nearby if anyone needs an extra bed.
On Sunday evening we had a walk about and found a fantastic local “take away” called LADOKOLLA (in Greek of course). From the main square walk up the hill and it’s on the right. Approximate coordinates
N 38° 0.868'
E 24° 25.205'.
We had one portion of spit-roast belly pork (enough for two people!), one portion of chips (enough for two people), one beer and a Greek salad (a full salad bowl) for €15.
Forget the sea front cafes.
Arrived in Karystos at the Southern end of Evia. Beautiful road all the way, except for certain sections where the road surface reminded us of Romania!
The town is fairly large and very busy. We parked in PJ’s spot in a gravel car park next to the harbour where it’s very busy, especially on a Saturday night. But no real aggro. The pizza place across the road, ZYGOS, is run by Vasili and his family and they have free wifi which works across the road.
Just off shore is a Greek warship. It looks like the crew are having a run ashore. A trawler, the largest we’ve seen in Greece was having a work over just next to us with the crew repairing nets all day.
In the evening the sound of discos and cafes was drowned by a man giving a speech through massive loudspeakers. Apparently he was touting for the Communist Party in the upcoming elections!
Sunday was very hot and calm for a change, so we had a stroll around town and chatted with some young guys. They are not happy with the EU and blame Greece’s problems on crazy politicians... Greek and EU varieties.
Vasilis kindly let me watch the Bahrain Grand Prix. And he gave me some delicious fish. I can recommend this place. Plus he has some apartments nearby if anyone needs an extra bed.
On Sunday evening we had a walk about and found a fantastic local “take away” called LADOKOLLA (in Greek of course). From the main square walk up the hill and it’s on the right. Approximate coordinates
N 38° 0.868'
E 24° 25.205'.
We had one portion of spit-roast belly pork (enough for two people!), one portion of chips (enough for two people), one beer and a Greek salad (a full salad bowl) for €15.
Forget the sea front cafes.
Peace and Quiet
Our next door neighbour collects a swarm of bees.
Monday 23 April 2012
Left Karystos via Marmari but the road out was not obvious and the SatNav didn’t help. Went North to Aghios Apostoli; one of the quietist and cleanest coastal villages we’ve seen. We even saw two women cleaning the beach!
The highlight of the day was suddenly hearing a great buzzing, which turned out to be a swarm of bees in the tree next to us. But there was no problem as the neighbouring house owner climbed the tree with a box and collected the swarm for his own use. Great spectacle.
The evening was very quiet. No idiots on motorbikes, no unsilenced cars. We can highly recommend the place.
Left Karystos via Marmari but the road out was not obvious and the SatNav didn’t help. Went North to Aghios Apostoli; one of the quietist and cleanest coastal villages we’ve seen. We even saw two women cleaning the beach!
The highlight of the day was suddenly hearing a great buzzing, which turned out to be a swarm of bees in the tree next to us. But there was no problem as the neighbouring house owner climbed the tree with a box and collected the swarm for his own use. Great spectacle.
The evening was very quiet. No idiots on motorbikes, no unsilenced cars. We can highly recommend the place.
Rally Raid
Tuesday 24 April 2012
Drove North again to Kymi where we were lucky enough to see the start of the Evia Rally Raid. There was a really good atmosphere amongst the competitors which reminded us very much of our Land Rovering days.
We retraced our steps, buying a few pies along the way, to Milos Campsite at Eretrea. Near the road but not noisy. The family owners installed a wifi antena while we were there. Good facilities and excellent service.
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Wifi fully installed. Spent the day washing and lounging. UK Driving Licence renewal method is a pain and decided to return to UK via Budapest to sort it out. DVLA are not as helpful as other UK Authorities.
Thursday 26 April 2012
Walked to town, found a new Night Stop then came back for a swim in the pool but it had just been chlorinated. So we paddled in the sea... it was freezing.
Drove North again to Kymi where we were lucky enough to see the start of the Evia Rally Raid. There was a really good atmosphere amongst the competitors which reminded us very much of our Land Rovering days.
We retraced our steps, buying a few pies along the way, to Milos Campsite at Eretrea. Near the road but not noisy. The family owners installed a wifi antena while we were there. Good facilities and excellent service.
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Wifi fully installed. Spent the day washing and lounging. UK Driving Licence renewal method is a pain and decided to return to UK via Budapest to sort it out. DVLA are not as helpful as other UK Authorities.
Thursday 26 April 2012
Walked to town, found a new Night Stop then came back for a swim in the pool but it had just been chlorinated. So we paddled in the sea... it was freezing.
Monastery
Friday 27 April 2012
Today was a long day. Early rise to get Bessy shipshape and off we went on our journey. We took the ferry from Eretrea to Skala. It’s about a 30 minute trip and cost €2 per person and €10 for the motorhome. The ferry was lovely and clean.
Our longish journey took us first to Thiva to look at the museum. First we had to squeeze between a broken down lorry and parked van. We even got a cheer from some locals because it was very tight; both wing mirrors folded in. After that we found the museum was closed. The repairs should have finished 2 years ago. The workplace was silent except for a couple of museum staff enjoying the 27° heat.
So onward past Livadia, towards Distomo where we stopped for a cooling iced coffee. Distomo is remembered throughout Greece for the massacre of 10 June 1944, when German troops killed 218 villagers in a door-to-door reprisal for a guerrilla ambush in nearby Steiri.
Our journey ended at the Monastery of Osios Loukas. It’s a World Heritage site and the setting is glorious. A party from a cruise ship were being given the works: a very complete history of the place, the Greek Orthodox Church and a few songs by some monks. There are some fantastic frescoes and mosaics, but the singing was mournful.
We are pushing our luck and staying in the car park for the night.
Today was a long day. Early rise to get Bessy shipshape and off we went on our journey. We took the ferry from Eretrea to Skala. It’s about a 30 minute trip and cost €2 per person and €10 for the motorhome. The ferry was lovely and clean.
Our longish journey took us first to Thiva to look at the museum. First we had to squeeze between a broken down lorry and parked van. We even got a cheer from some locals because it was very tight; both wing mirrors folded in. After that we found the museum was closed. The repairs should have finished 2 years ago. The workplace was silent except for a couple of museum staff enjoying the 27° heat.
So onward past Livadia, towards Distomo where we stopped for a cooling iced coffee. Distomo is remembered throughout Greece for the massacre of 10 June 1944, when German troops killed 218 villagers in a door-to-door reprisal for a guerrilla ambush in nearby Steiri.
Our journey ended at the Monastery of Osios Loukas. It’s a World Heritage site and the setting is glorious. A party from a cruise ship were being given the works: a very complete history of the place, the Greek Orthodox Church and a few songs by some monks. There are some fantastic frescoes and mosaics, but the singing was mournful.
We are pushing our luck and staying in the car park for the night.
Delphi again
Delphi museum
Saturday 28 April 2012
After a very peaceful night at the monastery we moved to Distomo to see the museum about the German slaughter. It was closed so we ended up in Carrefour for a few groceries and bought 4 lamb chops at the butchers.
Onwards to Arachova where it rained for the whole hour we walked around and then stopped when we got back to Bessy. Nice place but absolutely full of gift shops selling fur hats and walking sticks. Plus one shop tried to sell me a pair of Polaroid sunglasses. At half price they only cost €90 ! I do not buy from rip-off shops.
We drove through Delphi and headed for Itea on the coast where we parked in an abandoned marina. Abandoned like many building projects in Greece. Ian has an infection in his right eye and found an open pharmacy which sold him some drops. Hopefully they will do the trick. Itea is a pleasant, yet modern town on the coast where the cruise ships land.
After a very peaceful night at the monastery we moved to Distomo to see the museum about the German slaughter. It was closed so we ended up in Carrefour for a few groceries and bought 4 lamb chops at the butchers.
Onwards to Arachova where it rained for the whole hour we walked around and then stopped when we got back to Bessy. Nice place but absolutely full of gift shops selling fur hats and walking sticks. Plus one shop tried to sell me a pair of Polaroid sunglasses. At half price they only cost €90 ! I do not buy from rip-off shops.
We drove through Delphi and headed for Itea on the coast where we parked in an abandoned marina. Abandoned like many building projects in Greece. Ian has an infection in his right eye and found an open pharmacy which sold him some drops. Hopefully they will do the trick. Itea is a pleasant, yet modern town on the coast where the cruise ships land.
Smelly water
Thermopylae swim
Sunday 29 April 2012
Visited Delphi again and then drove North on a fantastic road through the mountains. It’s not marked as scenic but it should be. We were heading for Thermopile hot springs but at the motorway we turned right and missed the place. Getting back after a run of 20 Km was a nightmare of bad navigation by the SatNav and roads destroyed by the motorway builders. When building the motorway the Greeks just left the old road alongside in a terrible state. We eventually went through a gap in the crash barrier onto the motorway and got off at the next stop. The springs look interesting but could do with a clean up. Also the dirt area for camping is closed off so we are on the access road with the Turkish truckers.
Visited Delphi again and then drove North on a fantastic road through the mountains. It’s not marked as scenic but it should be. We were heading for Thermopile hot springs but at the motorway we turned right and missed the place. Getting back after a run of 20 Km was a nightmare of bad navigation by the SatNav and roads destroyed by the motorway builders. When building the motorway the Greeks just left the old road alongside in a terrible state. We eventually went through a gap in the crash barrier onto the motorway and got off at the next stop. The springs look interesting but could do with a clean up. Also the dirt area for camping is closed off so we are on the access road with the Turkish truckers.
Achilio
Achilio bay
Monday 30 April 2012
In the morning we walked upstream and found the original source of the hot water. There was a decent pool behind a broken down fence so we had a soak in there. Thanks to the ruined original roads and the motorway getting in the way we drove a complicated route to Achilio. There is a motorway and the Greeks have destroyed the side roads so you have to use motorway and tolls. Met Annie & Piet again at Achilio. We walked to the village, everybody was very kind. Judit got a rose from a local. Also Sykis was repairing his yacht and Ian helped him a bit. We invited Piet, Annie, Sykis and his Belarus wife for coffees. He’s a Greek Canadian.
In the evening Annie & Piet invited us to their VW camper for a glass of wine. Excellent day.
Tuesday 1 May 2012
Labour Day so lots of locals buzzing around visiting friends in the village. We sunbathed most of the day then walked into the village to the boat rental people to use the internet. Had a good long chat with the Hungarian crewman called Pali. He invited us to look at one of the catamarans. A hotel on water. Fantastic. After dinner we invited Annie and Piet, our good Dutch neighbours for a wee dram.
In the morning we walked upstream and found the original source of the hot water. There was a decent pool behind a broken down fence so we had a soak in there. Thanks to the ruined original roads and the motorway getting in the way we drove a complicated route to Achilio. There is a motorway and the Greeks have destroyed the side roads so you have to use motorway and tolls. Met Annie & Piet again at Achilio. We walked to the village, everybody was very kind. Judit got a rose from a local. Also Sykis was repairing his yacht and Ian helped him a bit. We invited Piet, Annie, Sykis and his Belarus wife for coffees. He’s a Greek Canadian.
In the evening Annie & Piet invited us to their VW camper for a glass of wine. Excellent day.
Tuesday 1 May 2012
Labour Day so lots of locals buzzing around visiting friends in the village. We sunbathed most of the day then walked into the village to the boat rental people to use the internet. Had a good long chat with the Hungarian crewman called Pali. He invited us to look at one of the catamarans. A hotel on water. Fantastic. After dinner we invited Annie and Piet, our good Dutch neighbours for a wee dram.
Vergina
Vergina ruins
Wednesday 2 May 2012
In an effort to get back to the UK to sort out the crazy Driving License photo we are missing out a few parts of Greece we would like to have visited. So, today we had a long drive north. Made even longer by stupid detours and dead ends. The Greek motorway builders have destroyed some of the original roads and in an effort to drive without paying tolls you have to go miles out of your way. In the end Ian gave in and we travelled by motorway. That meant we could call in a Service Station (few and far between) and have a Goody’s. This is a fast food chain similar to McDonalds. However the also serve Greek fast food such as Gyros. Not bad at all. We finally turned up at Vergina where we were met by Annamaria, the German wife of the Greek owner. They were very kind and helpful.
In an effort to get back to the UK to sort out the crazy Driving License photo we are missing out a few parts of Greece we would like to have visited. So, today we had a long drive north. Made even longer by stupid detours and dead ends. The Greek motorway builders have destroyed some of the original roads and in an effort to drive without paying tolls you have to go miles out of your way. In the end Ian gave in and we travelled by motorway. That meant we could call in a Service Station (few and far between) and have a Goody’s. This is a fast food chain similar to McDonalds. However the also serve Greek fast food such as Gyros. Not bad at all. We finally turned up at Vergina where we were met by Annamaria, the German wife of the Greek owner. They were very kind and helpful.
Lake Kerkini
Thursday 3 May 2012
Another fast run to Lake Kerkini. We stopped on the way to find some olive oil at a LIDL store. However we could not find a LIDL!
Lake Kerkini is beautiful. To the north are the mountains of Bulgaria. The lake is a protected wetland and is full of birds of all species, including pelicans. The Night Stop is in the grounds of the Oleda restaurant and taverna with its own lake with ducks and frogs. A truly delightful spot with exceedingly kind and helpful staff. Much to recommend it.
Another fast run to Lake Kerkini. We stopped on the way to find some olive oil at a LIDL store. However we could not find a LIDL!
Lake Kerkini is beautiful. To the north are the mountains of Bulgaria. The lake is a protected wetland and is full of birds of all species, including pelicans. The Night Stop is in the grounds of the Oleda restaurant and taverna with its own lake with ducks and frogs. A truly delightful spot with exceedingly kind and helpful staff. Much to recommend it.
