Thursday 25  September

Woke this morning to hot, hot sun – so straight down to beach until 11.30 when we returned and packed camp. Left for Athens via Napflion to collect info on Corinth from Tourist Police.

Anne was asked out ‘till they realised I was with her – cheek! Very good literature from Tourist Police (one in every main town), well worth getting.

Arrived in Corinth after lunch and saw ruins from outside fence. Instead of going in we decided to drive up to the old castle on top of the hill. 900 metres up at Akrokorinth. This was the site of a temple of Aphrodite, where a thousand sacred prostitutes plied their trade in the goddess’ honour. The Byzantutes built a fortress (can you blame them!!) here, which was later enlarged by the Crusaders, Venetians and Turks in succession.

A lot of the ramparts and 3 “keeps” are nearly in tact. Walking over them you could just imagine men walking about in chain mail, carrying large shields with white or red crosses on them. In parts the grounds has been opened to reveal large pillared cellars. The outer wall cover a huge area – quite a walk but well worth it. 

Leaving there, we headed via toll motorway over the Corinth canal – A saw it (I was avoiding a Greek driver at the time) and said it was superb. Had trouble finding Camp Athens – no sign anywhere but eventually found it 3km back from the roundabout on the left s the drive into Athens. Looks a lively place – everyone here for the wine festival I guess.