After a final lunch with Peter and Barbara we are dropped off at Kalamata bus station where we board the Athens bound bus. A very quiet journey, and we get off at Isthmos where we find a waiting taxi for the journey to Ancient Corinth
We are let into our small hotel by one of the other guests, and after about 10 minutes Maria arrives to check us in properly. The hotel is beautiful, Maria, her husband and her mother have done most of the work to get it looking so individual and charming. Vera is effusive about all of the detail and finish, which brings tears to Maria's eyes
With a great view of the castle perched atop the rock of Acrocorinth
We go and explore the town, which is tiny but busy, and get something to eat at Maria's brother's restaurant
We sit at the back, overlooking the Corinthian Gulf,
and watch as the sun goes down over the horizon
The next morning we go back into the village for breakfast. Maria would have provided this for an additional €12.50 each, but Vera doesn't eat enough to justify this
Breakfast at a local taverna
Before heading into the archaeological site
The Romans destroyed the ancient city in 146BC, and it remained deserted for 100 years. What we see today are the remains of the Roman city founded by Julius Caesar in 44BC.
And only the centre of that city, the area around the forum. This is impressive in its scale, one has to imagine the colonaded buildings lining the area, covered in gleaming marble
There is a very good museum on the site, a welcome relief from the burning sun
What is not really made clear is how the rebuilt Roman city met its decline. How did it become abandoned and buried, and where has all that marble gone? Presumably sold and shipped off somewhere else
We have our evening meal in a rooftop taverna overlooking the ruins, with the mountain behind. Very atmospheric
To add an element of mild peril to the holiday one of the wheels on our suitcase has started to disintegrate. Vera has had this for 45 years, but it could have waited a couple more weeks. We buy tape at a local supermarket in case this proves useful in keeping the show on the road
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