Back home from Greece

We've returned from our travels, having had a wonderful time on the beautiful Greek island of Thassos, in the Aegean Sea.  It is every bit as lovely as we remembered, and the weather could not have been kinder to us - hot, sunny and with a gentle breeze from time to time.  Wonderful hospitality (we stay at a family-run, self-catering apartment, which suits us well), great local food, lots of walking, swimming and taking in the sights. 

The view from our balcony, with the early morning sun-rays just catching the trees and mountain slopes

Although tourism is important to Thassos, more traditional industries such as fishing, marble quarrying, olive oil and honey production are still continued.

Fishing boats in Thassos old harbour

Octopus tentacles hanging out to dry!

Marble quarrying - the chippings in the forefront are dazzlingly white! 

Olive groves are everywhere.  Harvesting is in November.  (You can just see a herd of goats in the shade)

Colourful beehives

Limenas, the capital (also referred to as Thassos Town), has a wealth of ancient archeological sites, sadly now in a state of some disrepair and an equally sad lack of information boards (there is an Archeological Museum which probably provided lots of information, but I didn't have time for a visit), so I had to use my imagination.

This is the amphitheatre, originally built into the natural bowl-shaped hillside over-looking Limenas, furing the 5th century BC.  As you can see, it is being 'renovated'.  I'm not sure I think it's a good idea; sometimes it is better to leave such ancient monuments and buildings as they are.  However, for better or worse, new marble seating blocks are being cut to fit in between those original seating blocks that still remain.  I believe the idea is that, once restored, the amphitheatre will be used for performances again.  It certainly has an imposing setting, high up on the headland.

These photos show the Agora, the Greek equivalent of the Roman Forum, the main commercial, business, administration and gathering area of ancient Thassos.  The main construction took place in the 4th century BC although some parts date back to the 6th century.  It covers a huge area just behind the harbour, and you can just wander around it.  But no information boards, which was such a shame.  When I see something like this, I want to know what I'm looking at - what this building might have been, or what happened in that particular area.  All I can say is that based on the remains, the Greeks certainly knew how to build.

Impressive columns - these are still standing, but many more are in pieces over the whole area.

Beautiful curved seating area, with some intricate carving (swags and minataur heads, I would guess) around the top.

I took lots of photos at the Agora, the carved stonework was still so clear and it has given me several ideas for quilting patterns and designs. 

Having been enjoying temperatures in the high 80s for the past fortnight, it was a bit of a shock to the system to arrive home to pouring rain and a howling gale yesterday!  Thankfully I have managed to get 3 loads of washing dried on the line today, although I'm not so keen to tackle the ironing yet! 

I don't seem to have stopped since I got up this morning, but I have managed to achieve everything I set out to do which is always satisfying.  And having plenty of things to do fills the time.  Besides, I need to keep active as I have returned from Greece just a tad heavier than when I went out - maybe something to do with all the freshly-baked bread everyday and the occasional glass of Mythos (local Greek beer) ;-) - there was a very sharp intake of breath when I stepped on the scales this morning!