We explored the Venetian fortress of Methoni, enjoying the views and less climbing than usual. Supposedly there are 16 Lion of St Mark stone tablet insignias on the walls, but we could only spot about five. We had the site to ourselves until the last few minutes when the tour buses arrived. Now I know what the other travellers in Vietnam felt like when our group arrived last year - organised groups "take over" the scene and crowd others out, especially if the guide is noisily vocal. There is an even older small fortress (bourtzi) joined by a causeway extending into the bay and some stone columns lying in the water from a shipwreck- the inhabitants had only carried one up to the centre of their ancient fortress. We are really enjoying almost daily strenuous walks.

We then drove up along the coast to Pylos . Another beautiful harbour, two fortresses, great atmosphere, on the list for next time. Then on to Filiatra.

Were we lost??? We rounded a bend in the small town and came to the Eiffel Tower!! We have yet to find out why there was a 25 metre high replica in that town.

The stop that night was Ancient Olympia. Campsite run by elderly Greek man and his equally elderly French wife who checked, and kept checking, that we had all we needed. John noted that if you have marble locally to use, you use it - the wash tubs for dishes were made of beautiful carved marble.