Hello everyone
Well we lingered for 10 days enjoying the hot sun, pool and
relaxation, and it was a great place for a happy birthday!
We packed up and headed north via Sparti and Tripoli towards
Mycenae – a complex of ruins excavated in 1874 rising above the surrounding
area. It consisted of merchants’ houses, a palace and a welcoming ‘Lions Gate’
entrance.
There are several graves, the most fascinating being the tholos tombs
– huge beehive shaped structures buried under a mound of earth dating from 1250
BC with a corridor leading to the entrance.
Then northwards to Ancient Corinth - we arrived at the
camper stop early this morning to discover there was an ultra-marathon (the Spartathon
race) passing through town this afternoon. After a quick website search, we
discovered it was a 246.2km run from Athens to Sparti to be completed non-stop
in less than 36 hours with athletes being disqualified if they don’t reach the
checkpoints in the allocated time. As a dozen or so British folk were running,
we took our Union Jack bunting and headed off to cheer them on.
Our spot in front of the archaeological site became the
gathering place for those supporting the British runners, who looked remarkably
refreshed passing us at this 93km mark. The marshalling was sporadic and then
absent, so Peter spent the latter part of the afternoon directing the runners towards
the checkpoint!
Tomorrow, we will explore the ancient site, and head up to
Acrocorinth – a huge castle complex overlooking the town.
Will post again next week - love to all
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