Athens

‘Playing’ with the engine

The maintenance and general chores were ticked off far more quickly than we had expected. Having arrived at Alimos Marina at 1115, by 1700 we were ready for Neil and his helicopter engineer, Malcolm, to join us for drinks on board having: changed the oil in both the main engine and the outboard; done some shopping; changed a gas bottle; and taken a large load of laundry to a service laundry (better still, they delivered it back the following day, and all for the princely sum of €10!). All of that whilst there was done with thunder, lightning and heavy rain falling. Fortunately the thunderstorms moved on before it was time for us to entertain and then go into town for dinner.

Proof that pilots never grow up

Getting the maintenace chores done left us free the following days for some fun and sightseeing with our friends. We had visited the Acropolis and the archaeological museum last year, so this year, after a late lunch on board, we went to the Panathenaic Stadium.

It’s hugely impressive, even if these days a major road runs right past the entrance where in ancient times the River Ilissos ran. Initially cut from the hillside in 330/329 BC, in 139-144AD significant works were carried out to improve the stadium, making it horseshoe shaped (rather than rectilinear) and adding the marble seating, a vaulted passageway to the Temple of Tyche/Fortuna and numerous decorative statues. With the coming of Christanity, the stadium fell into disuse and most of the stone was removed over the years and incorporated into other buildings. When it was decided that the first modern Olympic Games should be held in the Greek capital, the stadium was rebuilt, at enormous expense, as the host venue.

Herms – (L) young athlete preparing for competition and (R) his older self reminiscing    

This reconstruction was a real ‘pukka job’ as it was all done in Pentelic marble to the second century AD design. There are a few parts of the original marble incorporated into the structure too, but it is very difficult to tell which parts are ancient and which are more modern.

The tunnel to the Temple of Tyche/Fortuna and the entrance to the arena for gladiators and athletes    

Having been the site of ancient athletic gladiatorial contests, in modern times the stadium has played host to the 1896 Olympics, the 1906 Interim Olympics and the 2004 Olympics, as well as major basketball competitions, rock concerts and welcome ceremonies for Greek teams that have triumphed at the highest levels in their sports. Fittingly, the winner of the 1896 Olympic marathon race was Spyros Louis, a Greek.

The Roman designers of the stadium incorporated some cunning feature which were replicated when the stadium was rebuilt in 1896/7. The walkway around the edge of the arena is about 30cm lower than the competion area, so that those sitting in the lowest rows of seats did not have their view blocked by people walking around the arena.

Also the seating bows outwards towards the middle of the stands so that everyone has a view of each end of the arena.

View across the Panathenaic Stadium to the Acropolis at dusk    

Time for the obligatory cheesy photo fo ‘Team BV’

Having ‘done’ the cultural thing we took the opportunity to enjoy other parts of Athens – notably a lovely Italian restaurant one night and an great curry house the next; what else when you are in Greece!

Last dinner at the rooftop restaurant

And, on our final night, we enjoyed an excellent dinner at Neil and Malcolm’s hotel. Of course we stayed talking until far too late. Far too late, that is, as we had an early start to make the next day. It had been a really enjoyable few days but now we needed to head east back towards Turkey. That said, there was still time enough in our rough plan to see some more Greek sights on the way.

Athens, Greece