Return to Thessaloniki via Delphi and Meteora 29 Sept

I arose about 8am and summoned up the courage to have a shower. An egg for breakfast and goodbye to Fred(erick) and Daisy and we leave about 9:20 for Athens to see if there's any mail and to do some shopping. Food was very cheap, apples in market for 2.50/kg. Had a sweet bougatza (delicious) and off again to Daphni monastery. Had to pay to get in - what cheek! Gave it a miss. Headed for Delphi. Stop at "Your Friendly Stop" just before Livadhia to talk to two NZ lads who were in a Morris van which had just had a universal joint replaced. They had camped next to us at Fred's.

Delphi, site of a famous ancient oracle, is located at the foot of Mount Parnassus and is dedicated to the god Apollo. We got to Delphi about 4pm, drove through town and up overlooking site, then back down to ruins. (Had to pay 10 Drax.) Walked up to sanctuary and on to theatre and stadium at top. Did a lap. Most impressive! Breathtaking site. Amongst the ruins there were occasional pieces of railway line, presumably used when French were restoring. Then back down road to the Castillian Spring. The water appeared from the rock, but a strange series of channels had been cut in the rock, and it looked as though it must have been a swimming pool at some stage? On down to the Rotunda and the Temple of Athena. Three columns have been restored here.

Drove back through Arachova where we bought a litre of wine (by weight) because the place has a wine reputation. It seems to be a red retsina (kokinelli). Quite good and only 8 Drax! Stopped sometime after that by roadside for evening meal. Twilight by now and the wind is bitterly cold. Huge meal with cauliflower, but not really enough. Decide to sleep here, so diary writing then bed.