A winter wonderland

I  awoke this morning to a winterly wonderland climbing the hills to 1306M the snow got deeper probably to about 100mm manged to stay on the bike riding in the car tyre marks. Descending through some picturesque villages where I manged to get more bread and a hot coffee many ancient things to stop and look at but it was a little too chilly to bother. I had to put my other shoes on, as the sole less ones where  little to draughty with my toes feeling the chill the most. A few ups and down all day but now at just 100M asl so there must have been a lot of down. Truly beautiful scenery with rock outcrops and forested hills and  possibly mountains tonight crossed the river Erymanthos which brings me to municipality of ancient Olympia. And just 100km from Patra and no big climbs to get there either.

Location : Πύργου-Τριπόλεως, Αρχαία Ολυμπία 27065,

Plane canceled onto patra

Methana was lovely and quiet but a total let down with the hot baths closed and ending up in a health spa with the water luke warm at best possibly because of the rain. Decided to head to Patra after my flight was canceled because of a air traffic controllers strike here in Greece from patra taking the boat to Venice where I hope to get the train onto Paris and then to Ashford. Stopped in Naypilio last night and this morning headed to the Heinkon pyramid its actually older than any in Egypt but no where as big. It had terrific views but its use is unclear, possibly a lookout tower. Spending some time there for lunch and exploring the area I actually found a secret hiding place by the doorway into the main chamber,  I was wondering what it was used for there was nothing inside like treasure but exciting all the same. In the end I assumed it was maybe a place for a key if they had locks then or the stone that covers the cavity was used to prop the door open or possibly a space for offerings to the gods. But what ever the use the craftsmanship was impeccable.

Location : Παλαιά Εθνική Οδός Άργους-Τριπόλεως, Lerna 21200,

Tomb raider

Eventually found the Pausanias baths on arrival it felt like the game tomb Raider what we have is  iron rod with a hook on it, a switch board with power and a hose. After playing with all the objects I still have no hot water. It looks as if has had a little repair work done to it with empty bags of cement and new roof tiles strewn about. I read about having to use a pump to get old water out but there is no sign of it here. The  RCD test switch don't work. Poking about with the iron rod in bottom of baths does produce some bubbles but there is no smell of  thermal activity. Just waiting here for a miracle to happen. Ive been to  few thermal waters across the  world and I've got to say new Zealand has the best so far.

Location : Αιγίνης-Σφεντουρίου, Αίγινα 18010,

Methana

After cycling 160 odd km to reach the hot baths of Methana I arrive in town and can smell the sulphur of the springs only to find them closed this month . I find there is another just down the road and when i get there its also closed. I head around to the north side of the peninsula in search of the Pausanias baths near Nikolaos, signs posted from miles away and all along the road but upon getting to the end of the road along the coast I must have missed it. No hot bath tonight back in the tent in another olive grove with the sound of the waves lapping at the shore.

Location : Αιγίνης-Σφεντουρίου, Αίγινα 18010,