A canal, a bridge, and free wine!

We walked from the hotel down into Delphi town, this morning, and found somewhere for a coffee on a balcony overlooking the gorge, before doing a little souvenir shopping.

There was a little olive tree cast in metal that the Minx saw last night that she wanted to get, so I waited while she went to buy that, although after a while I got bored waiting and went to find her. Characteristically, she'd got chatting to the owner, and by the time I arrived he was treating her to his homemade wine and honey. Happily, he extended the sampling to me :-)

After that we drove down through the mountains back to Rio, crossing this amazing canal that, according to the Minx, carries water all the way to Athens. There was something almost noble about it, patiently delivering its supplies day in and day out. (And also something a little Martian / Bradburyesque about it.)

It was time for lunch by the time we reached the bridge at Rio, which we enjoyed at a bar by the beach, and followed with a swim before we crossed the gulf again, although this time, at the Minx's suggestion, by ferry, which gave us a far better look at the bridge than being on top of it.

Now that might seem quite enough for one day but over the last couple of weeks, the Minx has become increasingly fascinated by a local wine festival, which was taking place, this evening. She consulted our AirBnB host, who was able to tell us where it was taking place, right up in the mountains, and he suggested we drive up while it was still light.

And so it was, after a swim back at one of our regular beaches, we set off up into the hills. It was about a forty minute drive, following signs all the way from Akrata, and when we arrived at the little town nestled in the mountains, we found we were only the second car in the car park.

We paid our two Euro each to get in, and found ourselves in what I imagine was the local park, complete with basketball court. There were loads of empty tables and literally hundreds of seats set out, and lots of people cooking over barbecues, obviously in anticipation of a good turn out.

Everyone was exceptionally friendly, making every effort to speak to us in English, and to explain what was going on. We were told all the wine would be free, and were given our first jug as you can see in my Extras.

Over the next couple of hours, the place filled up until all those seats and tables were occupied, and people were enjoying the food, drink, and company. The feeling of community was simply wonderful.

Later on, some dancing started. The Greeks have a dance which we've seen them do in the village, which I find mesmerising: they all move in circle, performing this lovely routine of intricate steps with their feet. The lady at the next table took the Minx down to dance despite her protestations, and you can just make her out in my final Extra if you know whom you're looking for.

And like a shy child at a birthday party, aching to join in the pass the parcel, it took me another hour to summon the courage to join in but I'm so pleased that I did.