May 5th Igoumenitsa to Kalambaka

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Fitful sleep then a crew member shouted that we were entering harbour. Then I was able to use the second word of Greek I knew – chaos! The tannoy system was all but useless, people getting annoyed, not helped by 20 odd Japanese around reception with all their luggage – they must have turned up on a coach after we embarked. I think they had a following HGV for their luggage & cameras.

Anyway, reversed down from where we parked, down the ramps & off...no signs, so more chaos. Onto the motorway to 1^st rest area & w/c (spotless), still in darkness – it was 4.30am Greek time so we'd lost another hour & the birds started up. But then it lightened...wow, beautiful & spectacular mountains. We were at about 1000m but it was very green & snow was still on the peaks.

Continued on the motorway & then came off to take a mountain road down to Kalambaka which wasn't far but it took an hour to get down.



Into Kalambaka & we weren't expecting this! The area is apparently famous with it's stunning sandstone peaks, monasteries & villages perched on top; UNESCO site. Google the place – just incredible. (So much so that we booked 3 nights on the camp site on our return leg to explore)

Our original choice of site was closed but the one up the road was open & the lady was very welcoming & spoke decent English, learnt in school 40 years ago. Just 2 others on site, Austrian & Dutch.

Bikes out & off to Lidl! Home & dozed in the chairs in the shade as it was now over 30* Then lovely meal of artichoke leaves with dipping dressing & French sausages cooked on my new griddle pan outside. Grand!





There were signs all along the motorway about the EU investment - one section cost 202 million Euros alone...mmmm.

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