Greece - Thessaloniki Sites

Then off round the backstreets half looking for café. Crowd round a car which we were assured by some nearby Aussie birds (in a London taxi) was stolen. Police very much in evidence as was the natural curiosity of Greek people. Further on the police were apparently removing the number plate of a car parked in a no parking area. Found café for Turkish coffee and got French speaking Greek waiter, almost of 'Hey Johnny' variety. Continue wandering and discover the delights of μπουγατσα με τυρι (cheese pie) μπουγάτσα με κρέμα (crème pie). Can't find market so buy food elsewhere then sample 'hot dogs' with meat balls or kebab, and some real ρετσίνα (retsina), not the fake stuff we had before. Retsina is, as the name suggests, resin flavoured wine. An acquired taste. We gritted our teeth and acquired it.

Now off to the Army and Navy complex - no boat-like sandals for Brian but some Pirelli-soled shoes. It's amazing in Thessalonica how the shops of one type tend to congregate in one area or one street. For example, street of car spares and accessory shops. So back to camp. Continue lunch then attempt to fix rear overrider. A decision is taken not to tackle brakes as leak seems to have rectified itself. Let's hope it's permanent. Quick swim and some aquatic Frisbee. Overrider fixed, start on lights. Supper, then discover why left-hand indicator doesn't work. One reversing light works. There must be a short between brake lights and parking lights therefore no brake lights at night! Must investigate. Soula also coming tomorrow, arrange to meet at 10:30.

Put on natty city outfit and head for Thessalonica. Get to Eva's at 10:30, have coffee, meet grandmother, Soula. Set off with Soula, Eva and Nikos (Eva's brother) and, on the way to the car, visit an early Byzantine basilica (church with nave, aisles and apse only) called Acheiropoiétos ("not made by hand") - which may have referred to an almost all silver icon.

Once back in the car we drove (doing a U-turn in Egnatia Street) through the university (Meteorology Dept) through the Turkish Quarter up to the 4th century walls, which apparently extend several kilometres to the west, and down to the White Tower on the sea front.

Continued to the Arch of Galerius and dropped Soula who was going to give a lesson in Greek. Went up to the 4th century Rotunda church of St George past some very old Turkish Quarter buildings which are to be preserved. Bought a slide of the Rotunda interior. And on to the Church of St Sophia which is very ornate and also a basilica though it seemed more complex than the first. Next the underground private church of St John with its icon-like plastic 2 pic adverts. The White Tower was part of the old walls and now inhabited by the 'scout boys'.

Sampled Fix Hellas lager, which was excellent, and ice cream. About 2pm by now so returned to camp for swim via moussaka (photo). NZ character Trevor with Canadian wife Cheryl told us of five NZ birds in London taxi with a crunched front wing. Later went and found them on our way to shopping. Meagre evening meal and then to NZ birds with bottle of retsina. Later Kevin arrived with 12 string guitar and an excellent evening's natter! Girls called Barbara, Beverley, Cathy, Liz and Bebe. And so to bed.