PATMOS

And I thought she was a 1960's lady rally driver. Omnipresent selfie, but nice bouganvillia in the background. Have you noticed how these Greek island villages look similar. This one was particularly nice with lanes containing nice shops & cafes - very pleasant. Linda found one that sold health giving products and bought a selection containing carob. Let's see if it does any good. The big grey castle like building at the top of the hill is a monastery where St John the evangelist wrote his epistles and the book of revelation. You can't beat a good epistle when you need one. Off to Athens tonight for a 2 night stay in Pireaus.

AGHIOS NICKOLAI

I think I got the village spelling right. St Nicholas to you. Another pretty greek island village nestled against the backdrop of the mountains. Went on ships tour up into the mountains to visit a monastery to pray for our missing wallet & phone. Only one monk lived there accompanied by millions of cicadas - the noise was defeaning. Looked down on the leprosy isle of Spinalonga, which now has some swanky resort hotels nearby. Ended up in an olive oil farm where the processing kit is not what you might imagine - all stainless steel and computer control. Returned to the ship for white night party on deck. Everyone dresses in white and dinner is served on deck. Food was great - sushi, barbeque meat & fish, all the trimmings. Too much drink & dancing, now the knees hurt.

CHILLIN

Here in Heraklion, we have been here before, so many years ago that we can't remember anything about the history of Knossos, other than the bull and the ball of string. Names, context, background - no idea. Back to Wikipedia. My knees been hurting so laid around the pool, had too much to drink, Linda beat me at cards - again. Now chillin with my friend Johnny Walker before dinner.

CRUISE OF DISRUPTION

Off to Ukraine - not, then to Mykonos instead - not. 50+ mph winds made tender disembarkation impossible so re-routed to Syros. Never heard of it before but it turns out to have a picturesque village running up the hills and a shipbuilding industry as well. The big yacht in the harbour belongs to an Indian steel magnate. We took a Spooner tour that went a bit wrong but we did see an el Greco in the domition church (that's the English translation, google it) Next stop Crete, will it be con or mainly wood!

CANAKKALE

Learnt all about Troy & Trojan Wars. Couldn't see Brad Pitt though. Smallish city, nowhere as spectacular as Ephesus. Hot again, lots of dogs touring with us, they must know story off by heart. Tried to chill out on balcony when we got back. Couldn't do it without big sun umbrella.

ISTANBUL

We are here for a couple of days in Istanbul. Went on private walking tour around the palaces and mosques of the old town. Had to get up early for old persons ablutions & bowels, so breakfast taken on balcony - lovely outlook, so much river traffic, we are the confluence of the Bosphorus to & the Golden Horn.  Topkapi & Hagia Sofia were great. Hagia was a Cathedral then a mosque then a museum & back to mosque so lots of styles. The room with coffins reflects the old Ottoman tradition of coronation. When new Sultan crowned, all his brothers were killed & their children strangled. That would Claire lots of business. Went Bazaar for shopping, so exhausted by then opted for river ferry ride & back to boat. Still cheap to eat, had afternoon tea for 3. Six cups of tea, 3 cakes, four bottles of water £8 with tip.

CESME

Here we are in a small port in Turkey on the Adriatic coast. It's a quiet town, nice & clean with parts old & modern. Some good looking hotels on the outskirts, lots of shops, restaurants & bars in town. Stopped at cafe for a cup of tea - 5p - food is pretty cheap too. Hot, over 35 but the wind keeps you cool.

EPHESUS

Visited Ephesus, 3rd largest town in Roman empire. Spectacular place with marble roads leading from the port to the city, where you are faced with massive semicircular 5000 seat Greek style theatre. Also visited Virgin Mary's house where she lived with St John. Drank the magic spring water.