Postcard from Delphi

We write from Delphi, the centre of the world, where according to Greek mythology / history, Zeus's two eagles landed and formed the start of the earth.

In fact we have just finished touring the ruins around where the eagles were to have landed, but despite an archaeological spirit to rival Indiana Jones, we could not find the place. It was magical enough to wander amongst the columns and feel dwarfed by the remains of Appollo's temple as the sun dipped behind the mountains.

Greece has been a pleasant surprise, and okay we haven't found ourselves faced with the reported horrors of Athens yet but the roads have been well built, the hire car has working components and aside from an odd disagreement about what is uphill and what is downhill (uphill has right of way) the traffic rules seem fairly sensible, especially that you can use the hard shoulder as a lane.

Some recent rain has lent the countryside a burst of green and the landscape is alive with gorgeous bursts of pink and orange flowers (sorry Mrs B to let you down that I don't know the names of them but I remember my mum once telling me not to eat them... )

Oh yes and apparently there is a rally happening near by. I went to a stage yesterday. Cars and stuff. very nice. No really I am still very enthused about motorsport but it's been a killer fortnight at work and upon arrival in the land of ancient history, homeless cats and sun it took a lot of convincing that standing in the heat of the day choking on dust watching cars go past was not my first preference. So after a single stage (much coaxing up the hill, much sulking on my part) I called it quits.

Adrian had his big dip, his first since oh the sands of Maroochy I would say by the jubilant look on his face. It was in the Gulf of Corinthia or something like that (sorry don't have guide book here to refer to) and the water was gorgeous blue and the stones, well stony but after england we didn't care about that or that we could see an aluminium factory across the gulf. no sir. after england anything more than a stagnant pond is exciting!

Tomorrow sees us do a day more rallying, overnight in Lamia famous for nothing (that won't stop me finding something to see!) and then down to athens - where the adventure begins.