Well – we were up at 6:30 a.m., orientating to UK time, so both did a complete repack of our cases. What a surprise! We seemed to have more room by the time we were finished and it weas interesting what we found.

We enjoyed our first English breakfast with Stephen and Carol, then around 9:15 a.m. headed across the road to Denmark Hill railway station, into Victoria Central, then out to Clapham Junction and ultimately to Windsor. All up about an hour and a half – great fun on the trains. Raeline would happily spend all day on trains if you gave her half a chance!!

Arrived at Windsor just after the changingof the guard (unfortunately) and by the time we hasd paid our £12 each for entry and got our book about Windsor and our audio story tellers, we were off on a full day’s tour. This took us to the outside walls, the royal state apartments, the round tower and Windsor Chapel (St Georges). The Queen was home for the weekend and we got some great photos of the Union Jack flying high – but she didn’t appear personally – maybe she didn’t realise we were there!

We were really impressed with the British organisation to get people around the sights in the castle. After Turkey and Greece it was most refreshing. Maybe we won;t bore you with the details, but our friends Stephen and Carol Grinsted had not been inside Windsor Castle before, and were as fascinated as we were with the art, jewelley, and the purposes of all the rooms, and their beautful furnishings. Itr’s 17 years since Peter was last here with the ICO (the year before the big fire of 1992). When we werre in ther St Georges room it was interesting to see the Coats of Arms of the three NZers who have been Knights of the Garter – Keith Holyoake, Samuel Elworthy, and most of all Sir Edmund Hillary. Also saw their places/brass plaques in the St Georges Chapel.

Interestingly – as part of the tour of SWindsor they have a section where children can do activities, make models, do colouring etc and aklso take with them a paper of questions and things to look for. Great idea – cos for the smaller children a lot of the history would be less ineteresting without promots and relevant things for them. We got a set of some of the stuff, thinking our lovely grand-daughters may like to have a look at it.

In the town of Windsor we went for a walk around – into a few shops and finsihed at Starbucks for coffee and a snack. Frappacino!! (Yes!!) Then back to the rail and returned on our various trains – timeabling doing it in 10 minutes less back home again.

When we got back to Denmark Hill we walked to the Grinsteds’ house through the College grounds and the building to some degree. Will have a good look tomorrow.

We realise that Sunday has started for you – 6:30 a.m. in NZ – so please know we will be thinking of you all – especially at the Corps, and extra especially Vikki and Dean as they celebrate their marriage this afternoon.. Our love and prayers are with you.

Weather here today has been good – up to 22 degrees – pleasant.

Love to everyone…..

Peter and Raeline

Hello to everyone – it’s now 6:50 p.m. Friday. We touched down at Heathrow 15 minutes early at 3:15 p.m. (2:15 a.m. NZ time) and Stephen Grinsted (British officer archivist) was there to meet us. It had taken him 2 hours to get to the airport because of an accident on the road, but he had obviously left really early so was there to welcome us – good to see him again after having met him when he was in Christchurch following an international SA history conference a couple of years ago. It was an interesting one hour drive to their home at Denmark Hill – made all the more interesting by the need now to avoid “Congestion routes” which incur a fee of £8 whenever you drive into those streets! The route took us through lots of suburbs, including some very elegant ones. Now here we are at the home of him, his wife Carol and 3 sons (but only one at home at present).

Yes – as some of you have said – it’s quite refreshing to hear the English language spoken and to be able to easily understand people! Not that the Turkish and Greek challenges weren’t interesting and sometimes a lot of fun! Always found people so helpful though – and they tried so hard to help us, and usually succeeded.

Our last hours in Greece were good – after our last blog we went back to our Hotel room and had a rest – just relaxed for a couple of hours, then went “on the town” with our 24 hour Metro (underground rail) pass. Great fun – just rode around and hopped on and off, looking at various suburbs and sights. Then we finished up at Monastraki – the trendy Plaka (shopping area) where we looked at lots of things, tried on some clothes, and finished the evening with a souvlaki – delicious. And let me say we sat on a marble seat to eat it !!! Don’t worry they are everywhere in Athens.(Raeline had her iced coffee a few hours earlier.) On our way to the Hotel for our late afternoon break we had stopped at a supermarket and bought lots of bottles of drink – cola, orange, water, lemonade – plus a couple of oranges (but they were more red than orange! ummmm!) We mention this because this morning at Athens Airport we hadn’t quite finished them all. We had wondered whether the 100 ml liquids rule would apply here and sure enough it did. So into the bin went just one can of lemonade and a small bottle of water. That was okay – the thing that startled us was that a tube of toothpaste -half squeezed out – was also binned from Raeline’s plastic bag of liquids, gels and pastes. It contained 108 ml.. and the fact that it was half empty didn’t count!! So – out to buy more toothpaste tomorrow (though we still have Peter’s tube).

This morning we got away from the hotel by 8:30 a.m. – early to the airport, but in time to use our 24 hour Metro pass for the last time to connect with the bus for the one hour trip to the airport. All went well - Peter heroically doing the heavy lifting of both our cases up a series of steps (Strong man!!) This earlyish start gave us good time at the Athens Airport – quite new and really fantastic (think it must have been built for the Olympics as it was in a quite different place from when Peter was there 23 years ago or so).  The airport is huge but absolutely useable – no hassle or long, long walks to check-ins, gates, planes or shops.  The toilet facilities were marvellous too - I (Raeline) mistakenly went into a parent/mobility one and was amazed at the set-up there….not only a change table but also a wall-chair for a toddler (rather like a child’s car seat) presumably so that the toddler was safe while mum changed the baby. Also all the cleanliness aids etc and lots of space. The airport struck us as very family friendly - including children’s cartoons on a screen near the waiting areas. 

The flight with Olympic Airlines was very good – probably the nicest lunch we’ve had on any airline – especially the beautiful Greek dessert!

Well it’s now 7:40 p.m. and dinner is almost ready - we will enjoy this meal in the Grinsted home, and also enjoy the moderate weather. It was 20 degrees when we arrived. Apparently they’ve had a lot of rain recently, but now it’s cleared up and is pleasantly mild. Their home is on several different levels – a terraced house at Denmark Hill. Lots of fascinatig artwork around done by members of the family.

Well – Greece and Turkey are now just memories. One of the main highlights would have to be spending time with Polis and Maria in Thessaloniki. Please pray for them and their work.

Love to you all – and thanks for reading our ramblings and responding from time to time. We do love to hear from you.

Peter and Raeline

Well it is two days since last we did a blog. We said we had internet at the hotel BUT it was only an internet connection and we didn’t find a place yesterday. Sorry about that. We were too busy sunning ourselves and swimming in a beautiful Greek Island!

On Tuesday late afternoon when we arrived back into Athens from Corinth, we did a bit of a walk around the ancient shopping area which is now a trendy market – Montastrati. We saw the sun go down, after listening to the Athens municipal concert band. We then went and had McDonalds for tea, retu8rning to our 44 euro hotel for the evening. Yesterdsay (Wed) we set off for a Greek Island named Aegina. We left the port of Piraeus on a huge ferry – the harbour was full of cruise liners! It took us an hour and a half to get to the Island. Fabulous little streets, fruit and everything else stalls – not a metre of wasted space! Bklue and white everywhere. Bought some fruit, sat by the sea, had lunch then caught a bus to Marathonas Bay about 10 minutes along the coast. Swam on a beautiful sandy beach – even lounged on some nice white deck chairs for a while (later discovered they were for use by the restauant/cafe customers!). The water was just lovely – so cooling but not tooo cold. Bought plenty of cold drinks at the local store and had a good chart to some Swedish people at the bus stop – who knew John Larsson!! (Small world). It was a great day – relaxing, interesting, sun and sea (sorry not surf Kristin – nice gentle ripples like your Mum prefers!!).

Back on the bus – more time in the gorgeous little port town (most shops were on siesta tkime when we first got back!!) then on the ferry for the trip back to the mainland and the big city. Got the metro to see the Paerliament building with the soldiers on guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier, then saw rthe Acropolis by night. Impressive! Then back for a shower and a sleep.

Today (after starting with breakfast including some nice wholemeal bread we bought yesterday at a bakery) we set off for the Acropolis. Went first thing to avoid the crowds and the heat. JOKE! Crowds !!!! don’t think we’ve ever been in anything busier! Tour groups from cruise ships everywhere – talk about “the pressing throng”! Eventually, after walking up the same road that St Paul would have walked, we got to the top and the Parthenon. It is huge, truly something to see. We had a good look around then moved to Mars Hill – the Areopagus – which overlooks the angient agora (shopping and civic area). St Paul of course made his famous speech to the philosphers from Mars Hill and walked the agora getting to know tyhe people of Athens. Remember he was the only Christian in the city, so his theology took them by surprise (Acts 17). Itr’s hard to believe we walked over the same ground. Our last port of call was the ancient temple - later a church – ehich has been intact since 5 centuries BC and is the best Doric building in Greece.

Wewalked to the station and got the metro (on a day pass) to Syntagma station near the Greek parliament. Watched the ceremonial changing of the guard at the Tomb of the unknown soldier. Weare now sendfing this from a huge computer shop with free internet services as we overlook Parliament Square on a beautiful hot Athens day.

We leave for |London tomorrow (Friday) at 1:30 p.m. Still a vfgew interesting thinhs to do before our time here comes to an end. ..like have a souvlaki and an iced coffee!

Lots of love to you all. Take care.

Peter and Raeline

After arriving in Athens about 10:30 p.m. Monday evening and eventually finding our Hotel (the Elite!) we settled in for the night. Very basic but good. After a good breakfast this mroning (Tuesday 10th – Tulipa’s second birthday) we set off to find our way to Corinth, which is an hour and a half by train from Athens on the Corinthian peninsula. Eventually arrived and got a taxi to the ancient site - 7 km from the new city of Corinth.

Most interesting experience to visit this city where St Paul spent so much time. We stood on the very spot called the Bema (Bhmr) where he was brought before the Roman Consul (Acts 18) accused by the Jews of sedition. Gallio the governor dismissed all the charges brought by the Jews against him. We also visited the fabulous museum and Peter visited the ancient theatre and found the inscription to Erastus – mentioned in Romans 16:24. He was the director of the city’s public works. He had become a God-fearer and a Christ-follower and as a member of the city council said that he would make certain election promises which he carried out.

Today has probably been the greatest in terms of language challenge! Great fun trying to make ourselves understood – the Lonely Planet helps – showing the Greek writing of where we want to go (actually we went a station too far, but that was fine – an extra train-ride which Raeline always enjoys.)

 

We now negotiate a taxi back to the railway station then probably an evening tour in Athens.

 

Love to all from Peter and Raeline

Hello all -

We have just come down to the lovely little town of Kastraki – where we stayed last night at the France hotel. We caught a bus this morning at 9 am. and drove 10 km to the top of the rocks/mountain and started visiting the monastries from the top and on the way down. The climb to them was interesting and once inside it was a time warp. We donned the wrap around skirt and baggy trousers to visit inside these intriguing communities. (Some still used today as living monastries). We went inside the hurches that seem to be central and are very ornate with their pictures (frescoes) from floor to ceiling. The Greek Orthodox Eastern expression is very religious. Visiting soe of the rooms like the dining room – all set up – and the winery, library, and museums of ancient garb, writings (including scrolls on papyrus) and artifacts.

We saw baskets of supplies being lifted up and dropped down on huge wires. These monastaries are perched on top of huge rocky outcrops – a little like a HUGE version of the rocks on the Lewis Pass (the frog, elephants, lizard etc). They are high above te towns of Kalambaka and Kastraki.

Can you beleive it! We then began the walk down back to Kastraki. Gently downhill but very long and sunny. Fascinating walk as we passed one after another of these buildings on top of the rocks – visited some of them. The word Meteora comes from the word meteoros which means “suspended in the air” – same root as for the word meteor. From the 11th century hermit monks lived in the scattered caverns here and by 14 century the Byzantine power of the Roman Empire was waning and the Turks were on the rise so the monks began to seek safe haven away from the bloodshed. These rocks made them an idea retreat (quote from Lonely Planet).

We had a most interesting train trip from Thessaloniki to here – left 6 p.m. arrived 9 p.m. Hotel basic but very nice. This afternoon around 3:30 p.m. we will travel to Athens by train. We will be staying at the Elite Hotel, Pireos 23, Athens. Phone +30 210 52 42 111 (just in case an emergency contact is needed). We will stay there until Friday morning. Have free internet there too! Great!

Temp here lovely today – 37 degrees C – but not yet the hotest part of the day. Still – no greatly physical activity left for us today now.

Not heard an English voice since being in Greece and hardly any who understand or speak it! Getting by though! Great fun! 

Love to you all

Peter and Raeline

Hello everyone

Thanks for reading our musings – and for your feedback. It makes you all seem quite close, even though geographically we are on the other side of the world!

Today is another warm one – 38 degrees at present – 4 p.m.

Our original plan was to go to Meteora for the day – to se the monasteries built way up on top of pinnacle rocks. BUT – we decided to take it easy and have a relaxing day. Has been great. Just finished a lovely meal and before that Polis drove us to the top of a large hill I(mountain in Greece) where we had a wonderful panoramic view of the city and the area. Delightful.

In an hour or so we are going to leave here and take a bus to Kalabaka – a small town near Meteora. We will stay there overnight then visit Meteora in the morning. Then later in the day we will take a bus to link with the train down to Athens.

This morning we had a special time – kinda ‘house-church’ I guess. There were 5 of us – one of whom spoke no English, so Maria / Polis translated for him when our sharing was in English. Polis read a scriptural devotional, then we watched a Nooma (DVD study thought) then shared in prayer and finished singing a few favourite songs – including some Maori tunes.  A lovely experience for this Sunday’s church service.

We were also able to make a few phone calls – was great to chat to close family rom this side of the world. Be assured we think of you often and appreciate your interest in what we are doing.

It’s all a great experience – enjoyable, relaxing, and of course we are learning so much of history and contemporary life here in Greece.

Love and blessings to you all

Peter and Raeline

Hi everyone – for you it is Sunday morning 8:45 a.m. It’s not hard to think of what some of you will be doing. Do trust you all have a good day.

Our day here has been a good one again – full of interesting and beautiful sights. After a relaxed start to the day we got a bus at 11 a.m. and travelled 2 1/2 hours to Kavala – beautiful seaside town north of here. After some time on the foreshore – watching fishermen mending their nets and relaxing on the soft grass – we went to the Church of St Nicolas. This marks the spot where St Paul landed to begin his missionary work in Europe, after responding to the call to ‘Come over the Macedonia and help us’. A beautiful mosaic lifesize plus marks the spot. We also saw the aquaduct and spent a little time in an air-conditioned (YES!!) achaeological museum – artifacts from up to 9 centuries BC!!!! Many of them were taken from tombs, including the first known idols and a gold (gilded) olive leaf crown with an emerald at the front, used to award a sports person. Very appropriate with the Olympics on at the moment.

Next was a bus for a 30 minute ride to the ancient city of Philippi. Its ruins are in very good condition, especially the church – huge! It was interesting to see the cell where Paul and Silas were imprisoned and also the steps to the building where they would have walked up to be tried. This site is on both sides of the main road, so it involved a tricky crossing partway through! Made it without a problem. The Ignatia Road (Via Ignatia) is a road that the Romans put through from Istanbul to Rome. Paul walked on this often during his journeys. We saw part of it here in Thessaloniki last night and again today saw some of it very well defined at Philippi. It was interesting to walk on it and realise we were walking on the same stones so many Bible people had walked on.

After Philippi we walked up the road a little to the Church of Lydia and the nearby river site where Paul baptised her – the first convert to Christianity in Europe all those years ago. It’s a beautful spot. Interestingly a wedding was soon to take place there – we saw the bridegroom waiting for his bride, holding her flowers (a nice tradition that he gives them to her). He held out his hands to prove he was shaking and chuckled about it. Guests were arriving and the church (circular) was beautifully decorated for the occasion – Greek Orthodox priest at the ready. There are beautiful paintings on the walls and domed ceiling. A trabquil meaningful spot.

Then it was back here via our two buses, a chat, fruit juice, a cuppa, and beautiful sweet pastries, now chatting to you all, and some time later it will be bed. Here everyone has a siesta during the heat of the day (shops mostly close too – as we saw in Kavala) and they stay up into the small hours of the morning. Our hosts are so kind and such lovely people – what a blessing to us!

Driving in Greece seems to be very similar to that in Turkey – not something we would choose to do! It’s fascinating communicating here when we’re by ourselves. We found in Turkey that usually there was someone aqround who spoke and understood English – doesn’t seem to be the case here, but we’ve managed to gain understanding in various, sometimes interesting, ways. Know how to say ‘Thank You’ in Greek – which seems to be appreciated when we use it. Reading signs is even virtually impossible – different alphabet and all!! But – it’s great and we’re certainly having a refreshing and interesting time. Still very hot, but lots of cold drinks, fans, finding shady spots and taking it quietly keeps us in good condition.

Just got called to the balcony to see an eclipse of the moon – not quite total, but stunning viewing, especially as last night was a full moon.

Well everyone – we send our love and do think of you often.

Peter and Raeline

We slipped into grease – oops – Greece last night at about 3 a.m.

We had already been travelling about 6 hours at that time on an overnight train from Istanbul. We arrived at the border station at 1:45 a.m. for a lengthy passport check by the Turks, and at 3:15 a.m. moved to the Greek border for another passport check. Both the Turkish Police and the Greek Police come around and collect passports, go and check them out, then bring them all back. Another comes and looks around your tiny sleeping room – supposedly checking luggage. Nothing had to be declared or opened – he asked where we came from, and the answer NZ may have made our check easier – He immediately said “Anzacs!” The sleeping compartment was great – two bunk beds – and room to put cases etc. Cleaned up 2 litres of water overnight – so warm. Left Istanbul at 9 p.m. and arrived into Thessaloniki at 11:45 a.m. Great trip – we enjoyed it all and slept well overall.

Polis was at the station to collect is – he and Maria are SA officers starting the work here in Greece. Fabulous people – Greek but worked then trained then appointments in UK. Now here and establishing credibility and relationships with the people. They want us to stay here and make our base in Thessaloniki for the next 3 days – will be great! Then we’ll make our next base in Athens to do the more southern stuff.

It’s incredibly hot – they are keeping us inside in the relative cool at present – heatwave here at the moment – over 40 degrees. Then tonight they’re gonna take us out to see the city sights…until late (this afternoon was relax and siesta time).

Yesterday we got the minibus from Cappadocia at 6:15 a.m. then flew from Kayseri to Istanbul. Traffic in Istanbul was MAD!! Apparently the President of Iran was in town and heaps of streets were closed – traffic jams everywhere! Our driver from the airport took a shortcut – went down a one way street the wrong way and when people told him what he was doing he acknowledged it and said “Energency” – Interesting!! We got there just fine eventually (one and a half hours later), left our luggage at the travel agent and visited the Royal Topkapi Palace. Interesting – especially the big diamond – 5th largest in the world – 86 carat surrounded by several dozen smaller stones, first worn 1648 by a Sultan. Called the Spoonmaker’s Diamond cos it was found by a beggar at a rubbish dump and sold for three spoons.

After that we had a sleep in the Palace grounds for at least an hour!! then went into the city again, bought water, looked at a few shops then relaxed on a city park bench in the shade. Had our first Macdonalds for tea then walked to the Railway Station and on our way to Greece. Before we got in the train Peter spent our last Turkish lira on 2 bottles water, 2 apple(??) pies and 1 peach to share. Then had 40 cents left. We’ll sell it to the highest bidder!

For your information – NO – we haven’t had a Turkish Bath – sounds a bit too radical for two oldies like us!

Thanks to you all for comments and emails – we do appreciate this contact very much.

As  we sign off the sun is huge and red and just setting over the sea at Thessalonica. The tempereature is starting to go down a little now (heatwave has resulted in 40 plus today) so the city will soon come alive!

Love and prayers to you all

Peter and Raeline

There were 13 of us ın the party plus a delıghtful guıde and our drıver. A group made up of people from places ıncludıng Italy, Slovenıa, Korea, spain and of course us two from NZ. )Oops – the font sıze has changed – not sure why – sorry!) We drove next to the Ihlara Valley – a deep canyon – walked down 400 steps, and saw a church carved ınto the rock ın the 9th century. There were amazıng frescos – the lıfe of Jesus, especıally detaıled about the Chrıstmas story, and also pıctures of Danıel ın the lıons’ den – the church was named after hım. We dıd a 4 km walk along the rıver bank (up and down a lot of rocks). It was so much lıke NZ scenery – provıded you dıdnt look up to the canyon sıdes. At the end of the walk (about 2.15 pm) we had lunch – lentıl soup, Turkısh bread, salad (don’t eat much of that because ıt’s washed ın tap water), then spıcey meat and rıce.

It’s been another good day (dıd you notıce I’ve just fıgured out how to do an apostrophe on a Turkısh keyboard? – Learn somethıng new every day!)

Dee – your comment about the Turkısh Bath ıs ınterestıng – No we haven’t had one yet but I dıd hear Peter askıng about ıt today – rememberıng your surprısıng experıence and readıng about them, I’m not sure…. but who knows? Maybe!

Thıs ıs our last evenıng ın Cappodoçıa – tomorrow morıng ıs another early one – we are pıcked up at 6.15 am to be taken to the aırport at a town just over an hour away, then we fly back to Istanbul. That wıll gıve us from later ın the mornıng there – hope to see ın the Palace thıs tme – was far too crowded and hot last tıme we were there but I thınk we are more acclımatısed and hopefully the crowd wıll be less. We then take the overnıght traın (sleeper compartment) to Thessalonıkı ın Greece. There we wıll meet up wıth the only SA offıcers ın that country – the SA has just started recently and ıs only ın that cıty.

Now about today – after that amazıng, thrıllıng but relaxıng hot aır balloon rıde – we were pıcked up back at the hotel (after our 2nd breakfast) at 9.30 am. Bılly and Jordan – we really enjoyed the Balloon rıde. There were lots of balloons up ın the aır, all flyıng around and up and down. At one stage our pılot and one of the others took theır balloons really close to each other and eventually touched them together at the top! Is that an aır accıdent do you thınk?? Now back t the tour – Fırst stop was for a panoramıc vıew of Göreme and and an explanatıon about the formıng of the landscape and why they are caled faıry chımneys (goes back to the Hıttıtes) then from there we went to the largest of the more than one hundred underground cıtıes. Wow! Krıstın and Dee – you are so rıght ın your ınterest ın the place. There are apparently at least 20 floors down, 8 of ehıch are excavated and we were able to go ınto. So deep! and everythıng from stables and a school to a wınery, mortuary and a church. They even thought of ventılatıon and communıcatıon – and thıs was ın the 2nd century! (We thınk WE are clever today!?)  30,000 people lıved ın thıs one!!

Back ın the mını-bus and up very hıgh to a monastery buılt ınto the rock. İt was called the Gırls Monastry because the maın teacher had been a lady. Peter dıd thıs clımb but Raelıne gave ıt a mıss – a bıt hot and steep and wanted to be sensıble! Thıs was the centre of Chrıstıan teachıng. Thıs partıcular vıllage valley has the Star Wars landscape look about ıt. Extremely hot there. Rıght besıde these ancıent caves were a combınatıon of ramshackle tumble-*down stone houses that people were lıvıng ın – washıng on the lıne, TV aerıals!

Then an hour’s drıve (good – the type ıs back) to Pıgeon Valley and thıs was explaıned – pıgeon are valued as communıcatıon (ın the past) and usıng theır droppıngs for fertılızer (stıll today). Fınally the ınevıtable vısıt to a factory and shop – thıs was an onyx factory – Raerlıne remembered the answer to the questıon the guıde asked and was rewarded wıth an onyx egg. Thought onyx was only black but no – shades of whıte, green and pınk too.

Back to the Hotel – just seen another beautıful sunset and shortly we’ll do a lıttle walk back ınto the town. Found French frıes last nıght – Yes!!

Then we’ll pack up ready for the mornıng and get to bed ın our beautıful room – not late!

Hope you are all well and happy. We send our love and prayers.

Peter and Raelıne

 

     

Hı everyone

Just a quıck post between balloonıng and tourıng underground vsııtng maınly hıstorıc churchs….

Up at 4 am and pıcked up from hotel ın mını-van. Taken outsıde the town to launch place – served breakfast there – about 80-100 people. Then because of the wınd they changed the launch place so we got taken a lıttle further. Then loaded ınto 6 balloons (from thıs company) – we were ın the bıggest one apparently. Amazıng experıence – flew for an hour – hıgh and low…and ended up a bıg dıstance away. Excıtıng landıng – servıce venhıcles have to keep track of them cos they never know where they,ll be taken!

Photos of the rıde can be seen at www.anatolıanballoons.com – Drıver was Abdullah Uluer – date Wed 13 Aug. Hope you can fınd them.

Love to all