Did not get anything done on the house in June as we spent most of the month in Greece – 1/3 on islands and 2/3 visiting archeological ruins.  This is a bar near our Airbnb in Plaka Athens.

Amazed and educated from touring the ruins of a 2000 year old civilization.  We saw Verdi’s Nabucco opera at a 2,000 year old stone amphitheater that seats 5,000 people just below the Parthenon with a cast of 100+ and full symphony.  Magical.  Mizuho sang a famous song from this opera called Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves with a choir in Seoul in front of 3,000 people a few years ago.

We visited several monasteries perched on cliff tops at Meteora.  Built in the 1400s when the monks sought protection from marauding Turks.  Originally, access was by rope and pulley with the ropes apparently replaced only when they broke.  Steps were carved into the rocks about 100 years ago. 

Oia Santorini.  White buildings high above the sea with great views.  Lots of tourists, including many Chinese couples having photo shoots – I guess it is a thing.  Worth a visit, but Naxos was more relaxing.

The ancient site of Mycenae.  Built 3,500 years ago with a peak population of 30,000. Linked to Homers poems, the Iliad and Helen of Troy.  Amazing feat of engineering (amazing what you can do with a few thousand slaves and decades of construction)

The Corinth canal.  Nero started two thousand slaves digging this 2,000 years ago but failed.  Finally completed 100 years ago.

Messene – An large site with stadium, theatre, and temples, many restored. Spent several hours here as it is not well known and there were very few tourists. Our red Seat rental car was great.  Smaller engine than my motorbike, 5 speed manual that you needed to downshift to go up a hill.  But got good mileage, under 6l per 100kms. This is the fallen lintel of one of the gates of the 9km wall surrounding the settlement. And built without a bobcat or excavator.

And this is our new car, our 3rd in 30 years.  Decided to sell the 11 year old Beemer (which travelled to 4 continents and 12 countries) as they wanted $9,000 to replace the two turbos, which was about what the car is worth.  Sad to say goodbye to it, but enjoying the new one.

And had another letter to the editor published, prompted by an article in Cycle Canada about some provinces recently permitting Sikhs to not wear a motorcycle helmet, and some climate change doubters.

Back home now and shall be providing some updates in mid-July on expected progress on the garden shed, gates and the fence.  Good to be back.