Tag: Photography

A Birthday Party

I am currently in a hotel room in Olympia, having visited one of the most famous of all Greek sites and swum in the hotel pool, but this post is about yesterday (today will come later – probably after supper). Susan Shimmin, who helped my parents to arrange the purchase of their Greek house turned 70 yesterday, and I was among those invited to the party. This featured a very pretty walk between Stoupa and a place called Kalliope’s. Some of us, including me, did the walk twice, while at the other extreme were those who did not walk at all. Back at Stoupa there was a royal spread of wonderful Greek food and then the unveiling of the cake – and what a cake it was!

Even though I decamped shortly after the cake was unveiled I have some fine photos from the day…

The beefed up flip flops in which did both the walks I have thus far mentioned in my Greek blog posts
The beefed up flip flops in which did both the walks I have thus far mentioned in my Greek blog posts

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Getting pictures of butterflies is not easy, but this one is an unequivocal success.
Getting pictures of butterflies is not easy, but this one is an unequivocal success.

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This was the only LIVE millipede that I saw.
This was the only LIVE millipede that I saw.

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These distance signs (3 photos worth) are fun but definitely not to be trusted!
These distance signs (3 photos worth) are fun but definitely not to be trusted!

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This is surely the smuggest moggy you have ever seen, surveying the world from its comfortable, dog-proof perch!
This is surely the smuggest moggy you have ever seen, surveying the world from its comfortable, dog-proof perch!
For the walk from Kalliope's to Stoupa there were canoeists keeping pace with us.
For the walk from Kalliope’s to Stoupa there were canoeists keeping pace with us.

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The canoeists were far from the only people put in boats.
The canoeists were far from the only people put in boats.

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"Who's the slowest of us?" "Torto is" Rudyard Kipling's version of how the Tortoise got its name!
“Who’s the slowest of us?” “Torto is”
Rudyard Kipling’s version of how the Tortoise got its name!
Yacht and canoes heading in opposite direction
Yacht and canoes heading in opposite direction

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This striking edifice is the Stoupa Cultural Centre (the replica Byantine church is definitely ghastlier!)
This striking edifice is the Stoupa Cultural Centre (the replica Byantine church is definitely ghastlier!)
Stoupa Bay and it is so clear that you can see the cold water springs that feed into it clearly.
Stoupa Bay and it is so clear that you can see the cold water springs that feed into it clearly.
A close up of a cold water spring site
A close up of a cold water spring site
The cake from above
The cake from above
A side view of the cake.
A side view of the cake.

The Inner Mani

The Inner Mani’s particular version of the very traditional Greek habits of feud and vendetta led to the building by anyone who could of fortified tower houses. They were defending themselves against each other, much like the border reavers of Northumberland with their bastles. As usual, I have plenty of pictures for you…

This spectacular rock formation is known as the Frying Pan.
This spectacular rock formation is known as the Frying Pan.

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No this is not a ruined amphitheatre - folk were desperate enough to cultivate this.
No this is not a ruined amphitheatre – folk were desperate enough to cultivate this.

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Walking to the end of mainland Greece – Cape Tainaros

In ancient times this was home to a temple and death oracle of Poseidon (the ruins of which can still be seen), and was a notorious spot for ship wrecks. At least one reasonably eminent Roman had a villa here as there are some old mosaics left from his tenure. The end of the Greek mainland is signalled by lighthouse, which is moderately attractive. Being in the driest most arid part of mainland Greece, the path is as one would expect bare and rocky, but I was able to walk it in beefed up flip flops.

This region also contains my nomination for the most desperate attempt at cultivation I have yet to see evidence of – indescribable, so wait for the photo…

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This delicate flower grows in the roughest conditions imaginable.
This delicate flower grows in the roughest conditions imaginable.

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My first sight of the lighthouse.
My first sight of the lighthouse.

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Making use of the one resource they have in abundance.
Making use of the one resource they have in abundance.

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This mosaic is spectacular.
This mosaic is spectacular.

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Greece 7: Lunch between sites.

Having finished exploring the remains of ancient Messene we repaired to a guard post on the old walls. These walls, a circuit of nine kilometres, were built by Epaminondas of Thebes after he had liberated the Messenians from four centuries of Spartan rule as an insurance policy should the Spartans try to recapture Messenia. This did not happen, because within a generation Philip of Macedon was in charge.

Just a few photos from this location…

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Greece 6: Ancient Messene

Finally we have reached the first major trip of the holiday, a visit to ancient Messene and then on to Methoni. Messene is such an extraordinary site that I will leave my photos to tell as much of the story as they can, save only to mention that tickets for two OAPs and an adult left us with change from 10 Euros….

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Greece 5: The Ghost School

No, this is not an update to the Scooby Doo DVD that features Ms Grimwood’s finishing school for ghouls! It refers to what used to be the village school at Tseria, and which now stands empty and forlorn. One can get into the grounds, and there is just to room to photograph the inside of the chapel. Enjoy these pictures…

The old school and its grounds with someone who has 40 years teaching experience in the shot.
The old school and its grounds with someone who has 40 years teaching experience in the shot.
Outside the chapel
Outside the chapel
The inside of the chapel as illuminated by flashbulb. There was sufficient space between the end of the solid part of the door and the lintel for a telescopic zoom lens to poke through.
The inside of the chapel as illuminated by flashbulb. There was sufficient space between the end of the solid part of the door and the lintel for a telescopic zoom lens to poke through.
The entrance to the school building
The entrance to the school building
This bust bears the name Alexandros...
This bust bears the name Alexandros…

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A chapel that adjoins the school grounds.
A chapel that adjoins the school grounds.
A final farewell to what is left of the village school.
A final farewell to what is left of the village school.

Greece 4: Around the villages

On Wednesday we went for a walk around the local villages (Tseria, Katafigio, Pedino), and saw some very interesting things. My next post will deal with the  former school and its accompanying chapel. As well as the stuff we actually saw close up I was able to get a decent shot of an isolated chapel which sits on the hillside above Tseria. Also, although we did not actually get there I have some photos of Leptini…

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The isolated chapel mentioned in the text. Apparently there is a shepherd who still regularly goes up there with his flock.
The isolated chapel mentioned in the text. Apparently there is a shepherd who still regularly goes up there with his flock.

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This is clearly a fossil of some sort, but I am not sure what.
This is clearly a fossil of some sort, but I am not sure what.

Greece 2: Greek Fauna and Flora

Greece is home to some interesting plants and animals, although one rarely sees any animals large enough to be worth a bullet. This post features pictures of stuff I have thus far captured…

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There seems to be no limit as to what part of the plant the fruit can grow from!
There seems to be no limit as to what part of the plant the fruit can grow from!

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This is an extract from…
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Greece 1: Getting There

Greetings from the sea front at Stoupa on the Mani peninsular where I am on holiday. Due the fact that I can only connect to the internet when in Stoupa my posts will be somewhat sporadic, and will come in bunches (eight in total today if the internet connection and my laptop battery both hold out).

Owing to the fact that my flight out left Gatwick at 5:40AM on Tuesday, I departed King’s Lynn on the 21:37 train on Monday, and achieving precisely the set of connections indicated by both thetrainline and google maps (King’s Lynn – Finsbury Park – Victoria – Gatwick), I arrived at the airport at 00:45 and sat down to wait until I could move towards my flight. After a few trifling delays, the flight took off a tiny bit late, and therefore arrived at Kalamata at 11:10 local time rather than just before 11 as scheduled. Still, I had a seat and got a drinkable and not too extortionate coffee, which is the best to be hoped for when flying with squeezy jet.

I also managed to stay awake until a reasonably sensible time of night, so adapting to Greek time without too much of a hitch. Here are some early Greek photos…

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This is one of several mosaics in the house in Tseria where I am staying.
This is one of several mosaics in the house in Tseria where I am staying.

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A map of Europe which actually marks Fakenham!
A map of Europe which actually marks Fakenham!
We are an hour's drive from Kalamata, home of the olive.
We are an hour’s drive from Kalamata, home of the olive.
The views toward the sea are quite stunning!
The views toward the sea are quite stunning!

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The Mani is the middle of the three spurs pointing south from the Peloponnese.
The Mani is the middle of the three spurs pointing south from the Peloponnese.

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This mosaic took several attempts to get right, ultimately needing the use of the flashbulb.
This mosaic took several attempts to get right, ultimately needing the use of the flashbulb.
This is my parent's holiday house from outside.
This is my parent’s holiday house from outside.
This arrangement of solar panels and external hot water tank is commonplace in Greece.
This arrangement of solar panels and external hot water tank is commonplace in Greece.
Told you it showed Fakenham!
Told you it showed Fakenham!