Athens and Peloponnese - Day 7

This morning Stella had left us fresh melon and grapes, which we had with our breakfast.

We were out early again for a walk up the hills behind the town. First up an old mule track through olive groves, with great views back down to Kardamili and the coast.

Soon we arrived at the tiny village of Petrovouni. There were sacks and nets out ready for the olive harvest.

We walked out of the village past a chapel and cemetery, and along a flat path though more olive trees.

We passed a strange cave chapel.

Eventually we arrived in Proastio, and had our lunch by its church. There were lots of pomegranate trees around.

After lunch we went down a steep track with more great views.

At the bottom we went to Kalamitsi beach, where we went for a swim.

We then walked along to the harbour at the edge of town where we stopped for a rest from the heat.

In town we had a frozen yogurt, blueberry flavour. We decided to go to the beach at the north end of town where we had another swim and lay in the sun for a while.

We went back to the apartment for a shower and rest. Yet again there was a magnificent sunset available just out of our window.

We then went out to dinner at Diskouros restaurant. It has a great setting overlooking the harbour.

We had their special salad, roasted giant beans, grilled Talagani cheese and pork souvlaki. All was very good, for 42 euros.

Athens and Peloponnese - Day 6

We got up and started to prepare our breakfast, only to find the lovely Stella had left us pancakes and honey on the balcony, so we had those instead.

We went for a drive today, first going 5km south to Stoupa where we went for a walk at the seafront.

As in in most places we visited, there were loads of cats around.

Next we stopped at the town of Areopoli. We walked down to the cliff edge, then back through the old town.

Then we drove further south to the Diros caves, where we paid our 26 euros and were punted round the cave system in a boat.

It was over a kilometre sailing through the caves, with a final walk at the end. We saw lots of stalactites and stalagmites.

Eventually we came out into daylight.

We drove a little further round the coast to a beach and had some lunch and a paddle.

We then went further south into the "deep Mani", seeing lots of little villages with the typical tower houses. We stopped at Mezapos where we went down to a tiny cove and had a swim.

We next went to Vathia, which is picturesquely situated on a hill top with lots of ruined tower houses. We had a good wander round.

We carried on down when the Mani peninsula almost to the tip, where we could see both sides. All the old terraces where they used to cultivate this now barren land were amazing.

We drove back up the east coast, then across and back to the apartment. When we got back Stella came out and gave us a couple of beers.

For dinner we went out to By Giorgios and had stuffed courgette, local sfelas cheese, smoked pork and tzatziki. It was pretty average, and came to 36 euros.

On the way home we stopped for a couple of drinks in the main street.

Athens and Peloponnese - Day 5

To make best use of the day before it got too hot we got up early and were out walking about 8.30. We were doing a walk up the Viros gorge.

To start with we were in the river bed itself, which was completely dry.

We then started to climb up the side. It was quite a difficult track as it was overgrown with thorny bushes. We saw a crab in the mud at one point. We passed a few villages and hamlets on the way.

There was a rather strange tree which had both acorns and berries.

Eventually we stopped for some lunch in Pedino by the church, where we had some company.

After that the path was a bit easier. From the top of the gorge we had great views back down to the river bed, and to our path on the other side.

We had a steep descent back down to the river bed.

Then there was a long walk back down. Looking back we had great views to the peak of Profitis Ilias, the highest peak in the Taygetus range, at 2404m.

The path went down through more little villages, passing lots of tiny chapels.

Across on the other side we could now see the caves where villagers used to hide out from invading Turks.

At the bottom we visited Old Kardamili, with its tower and city wall.

On the way home we stopped at the supermarket for supplies.

After showering and resting for a bit we went for a stroll down to the seafront and round the village and had a drink overlooking the sea.

Then we went back to the apartment for dinner, pasta with vegetables. We found that Stella had left us more cake and cookies.