Back in Greece!

We're back in Athens and it's wonderful being here. Having settled ourselves in, on Monday went to Palaio Faliro the suburb next to ours, for a nice walk and then lunch.

A short tram ride and we get off at Edem. It takes an hour's walking to get to the other end of Palaio Faliro, the Floisvos marina which is where we have our lunch.

This is the path we walk on, the town on our right, the sea on our left

This lush garden on the sand has been created and is tended by volunteers

past the children's playground

outdoor gym

and some colour on the verge

This is the winter swimmers' association beach

and we continue on our way.

Another outdoor gym

quite a few people on the beach

a very long ladder

it's a lift.

We decide to get a bit nearer the water

Fishing and sun bathing

On our left we can see Alimos marina in the distance

and in the distance on our right is Piraeus

We continue on our way - only two people playing chess today

past the statue of Palaiologos on his horse

I could look at the sea forever

We reach Palaio Faliro square

We both get furious at how this once gorgeous building has been allowed to deteriorate - it used to be a taverna and we used to love coming here. Then, the council took it over and turned it into the Council Cultural Centre and then they just let it go. We are furious. But then when we got home we read in the local news that they are about to start renovating it - thank god.

Another long promenade by the sea

A monument dedicated to people who died fighting the Italians and the Germans when they invaded Greece during WWII

The submarine dedicated to Royal Navy personnel who died during WWII

Look at those gorgeous colours

The dog park - we saw two Alsatians chasing each other, they were having sun fun!

We arrive at the Floisvos marina

This quay is for the larger boats - at the end of it there's a helicopter pad

We walk down the main avenue which is full of bars, cafes and restaurants - they all get very busy

The buildings in this marina are based on a design of buildings in Asia Minor

There's always a lovely atmosphere around here

There were a lot of teenagers hanging around and I could not work out why they were not at school so I asked a group of them - apparently they were on a school trip. A nice day out for them

This is Neraida (mermaid) which used to be a yacht used by celebrities and is a museum now

Right at the end of the marina is the sailing club - our destination

Not busy during the day, which is partly why we like coming here. It's another story at night when it's always packed out

This is our view

Couldn't be better, could it?

It's always good when people take the boats out

Our food arrives - fava

a Greek salad

and whitebait.

Today, there's a different type of activity - all the boats are brought out

for an inventory of the sails.

It's been such a lovely day but at some point we have to leave but we will be back soon.

As we leave we stop to watch as a small boat is launched into the water

Done.

We walk back the way we came - not so many people around now, maybe because the wind has risen and it feels cooler

This makes me think of Leonard Cohen. And, of course, he did write 'Bird on a Wire' in Greece.