The Penthouse

Well, i finally did it. Well alright I may have had a bit of assistance, but the hinges on the roof are now attached and not still stored in the cupboard. 

Mark Twain once wrote about Tom Sawyer, who was tasked with painting a fence one day. However, by showing some enthusiasm and making it look like he was enjoying it, all of his friends begged and pleaded to be allowed to help. 

So, at 6-30, in a sudden fit of sobriety and enthusiasm, I grabbed some random tools (screw driver, cheese grater, hack saw and dental monkey wrench) and started to size up the task in hand. Deano was the first to bite, coming over to eye up the roof of the van and offer his advice.

Steve and Jim soon followed and with some more appropriate tools and a cup or two of Pimms, before we knew it, we ( ok, they) had the roof back on properly rather than sitting at a jaunty angle like a beret. 

A night in my own room in the penthouse was wonderful. Topping and tailing with Eileen has been an experience ( then again being savaged by a shark could be called an experience). I perhaps do him a little disservice. I'm sure in Arctic conditions, Eileen would be a fine addition to most people's fold down beds. Greece however is just outside the Arctic Circle. 

The camp site, Olympus Beach Camping, had proven a little difficult to find for some. Don claimed to have gone via Olympus Beach in Crete but I'm not convinced. Others found Olympus Beach 20 km up the coast and also Olympic Beach Camping. We rounded up all of the stragglers eventually and pointed them towards the sea food restaurant and bar, rather conveniently right by the beach. A bit like Ralph's interesting local wine, the water was tepid. Just how sea water should be. Just about cool enough to refresh but not so cold to wither a gentleman's necessities. 

Set amongst pine trees, the site had some shade but it was still 36 degrees. Plenty warm enough to dry washing, if suitable drying locations could be found. At this point the washing line was still holding the roof on, so I was able to employ the tow rope and, much to Lucy's indignation, Milly's hanging basket. 

I won't get invited on the next Windy 500 at this rate. 

The lure of my own room encouraged me off to bed early. I think Eileen may have been equally pleased with the new sleeping arrangements. I did hear rumours of some midnight swimming by Team Trauma and the easily led Team Nightmare. The gentlemen of Trauma still buzzing from their appearance in the Dorset Echo earlier. 

So today, we are off again and voluntarily adding about an extra 100 miles to the trip to take in Meteora. It is a mountain top monastery at the top of a rocky pinnacle which was shown in a James Bond film (For Your Eyes Only I think). After that we are off to tackle our first more troublesome border in to Macedonia. Could be insurance issues and it will give us a chance to show off our international driving licences. We've done nearly 100 miles today and the roof is still on. Bargain.