Mistra to Pilos

We rang Josh and he sounded very far away – never mind. We were both upset but at least we got to speak to him.

It was freezing, literally, so we bashed ice off the car and visited Mistra. What a place! Originally a provincial capital it became the home of various Byzantine claimants for the throne at Constantinople. Perivleptos Church was one of many. It is beautifully maintained and still in use. We got a semi-coherent tour from an old fellow, lit candles and had a pleasant ramble. The setting is stupendous.

Lyn in beenie

Mistra in the foothills of Mt Taygetus

Then we drove back to Sparti where Lyn shopped and I went to the little museum to see the archaic ‘Leonidas’ sculpture and found a Roman period mosaic of Alcibiades. Then it was off on our travels again. The intention was to stay in a castle hotel in a strange old town called Areopolis but, if it was open, we couldn’t find it in the winding cobbled streets. Lyn was feeling so good she wanted to drive.

We headed for Kalamata ...

Kalamata is huge and chaos – buildings tumbled down everywhere and tents galore. Everything looked a real wreck from the earthquake so we ventured on, trying to beat the dark, to Pylos. Great little place by the sea – pleasant little hotel. Supped indoors – we are A1 exhausted.

Our faithful Nissan finds the sea after crossing Lakonia and Messenia.