4. Mytilene

Firstly, to put the record straight, our table companion whose name I could not remember yesterday is Frances. She is a retired psychiatric nurse, great company, extrovert, and not afraid of using the occasional expletive to great effect when it enhances a story. She was also at great pains to point out that she and Christina are not lesbians despite the fact that many girls of that persuasion like to make the pilgrimage to Lesbos, Sappho's birthplace and our port of call today!
Meanwhile, we have learned that Elaine is currently writing and publishing a cookery book, Christina is a seamstress, while Steve is between jobs (although in what line of business we have yet to discover).
For those followers of my Norway blog earlier in the year and who are anxious to hear whether or not lady luck has accompanied us to the casino again on this trip, I have to report that last night was not an unmitigated success but neither was it a total disaster. Our $20 limit lasted for half an hour and we walked away with precisely $20.

So today we are in Mytilene, the principal town of Lesbos. Unlike Mykonos Town, Mytilene is much more of a bustling, working capital, although it being Sunday, many places are closed. Also, unlike Mykonos Town, the effects of the economic situation are far more evident here and there are many closed and boarded up business establishments which give the Town a much more run down feel. Although it is Sunday, the tavernas and bars do remain open and it is amusing to watch the families coming out from church dressed in their Sunday best with Dads and sons heading for the nearest taverna for a strong coffee and a chat, whilst Mums and daughters put on their aprons ready to serve behind the bar or wait the tables. There may well be an unemployment problem in Greece, but it most certainly is not with the female side of the workforce.

Our time ashore today was therefore spent having a leisurely stroll along the almost deserted streets and then climbing the hill to the old castle which overlooks the port and the old part of the town.

The skies remain a summer blue with just a few puffy white clouds and the temperature is in the mid to low 20's, most pleasant indeed. As I write, I am relaxing in the commodore lounge, watching the last few tenders ferry the remaining shore side passengers back to the ship and we shall soon be joining the sailaway party on the aft deck before setting sail for Istanbul.