Elevsis Campsite and President Pud-Pud 19 Sept

A quick dip in the pond and a shower improve the system considerably, then we take Frederick into Elevsis to replenish his depleted stock of retsina. Also go to his local man for a new bit of exhaust to be welded in. Willing but no suitable pipe. A metre of pipe costs us 40 Drax and the cutting and welding another 40 – too much by half! A very expensive evening's sleep when it was supposed to save us money. Brian did badly by driving onto those rocks, so much for his judgement. ("Didn't have much choice", he said – but he miraculously managed to miss them on the way out.) Branched out again and had steak for tea. Fairly tough, but good for the jaw muscles, not a good thing to buy.

After tea go for evening dose of retsina. Talk to loner from the Midlands and then to bloke and bird in Mini-Marcos. A good pair. Though I remember the name, this is not a car I remember. It's a GT car based on Mini running gear. Bed about midnight.

All sorts of good intentions for today, but first priority was sleep. Brian got up first at about 9:45 and I about 10:30. When I got up Brian hadn't even managed to put the kettle on, he was mending his pipe. Did some clothes washing, some talking and some diary writing. Brian went off to get some food. We had a bottle of retsina and soda and then lunch.

After that I had the luxury of a siesta before setting to work to change the nearside rear leading brake shoe seal. Found breeze block to jack the car onto and effected the change with no problem, even bleeding was only two pumps of the brake pedal, though it took a long time with Fred, Tony and Daisy all here talking and drinking tea. Then I tightened the nuts round the rubber steering joint which were beginning to make a noise. This camp site is a haven for people with broken cars; Fiat 500 kingpins, John Stanton's Minivan drive shaft, Royal Wave flat exhaust, Morris van big ends.

Daphni Wine Festival

Supper and so to the wine festival in Daphni with Brian and Tony. The well-known festival is held in September in a wooded area near the tenth century Byzantine Monastery in Daphni, half way between Elevsis and Athens. I lost the toss and had to drive home. Wine terrible, except for retsina which was passable, fantastic contrast between sweet and dry. Brian and Tony both "well on the way". Failed to extract 1 gallon of retsina as planned, which was very sad! Otherwise excellent evening. Amusing journey home, where Fred came and warned us to be quiet. Brian rather ill. Tony apparently still pissed when Carol returned from evening with elderly Americans and was having difficulty in staying on his side of the tent.