After two very laid back nights under the stars it was time to continue the journey south down the first 'finger' of the Peloponnese. The first stop was Methoni at the south western tip. We had a late breakfast and set off to explore the Castle that dominates the small town. As ever little information and go where you like. Health and Safety virtually non existent but the refreshing Greek attitude that if you can't look after you and yours then you shouldn't be in there. Having said that we did comment on numerous occasions that the Grandkids would have a ball falling off things, climbing into things and generally boosting the share value of Elastoplast and Germolene!

The town was Venetian and the castle was built around 1200 to control the pilgrim trade to Palestine. It is impressive and covered a huge area, the central area was left to look after itself but most of the walls and entrances were pretty much intact. The most impressive element was the watch tower built by the Turks.

We left Methoni for the short journey to Koroni at the south eastern 'corner'. This also featured a Venetian fort although not as impressive as Methoni and we didn't bother with the climb up.

We checked into a small campsite, nicely situated with a few short steps down to a beach. While not the best it was fine and featured a very nice little beach bar, which of course we had to sample. We walked into the town in the evening and had a nice meal at one of several tavernas overlooking the harbour. A stroll back along the beach and a couple of night caps at the beach bar before bed.

This has reminded me to thank Sue and Steve for the pocket sized torch they gave me for my early birthday present. Not only was it very handy for navigating the way back along the beach but on the campsites it has an incredible ability to attract moths the size of sparrows!!!

Before we turn north tomorrow I thought it would be a good time to reflect on some of H's observations of the first part of the trip.

- you may know that Greece focuses on fresh bread with most people buying it daily as it doesn't keep. However there is the more traditional pre packed sliced bread. On our first trip to the supermarket H asked me to get some of that 'last for a while bread'.

- Sat Nav has been pretty good but does need a sense check. The odd wrong turn and the need to do a couple of u turns has been met sympathetically by H with the comment 'you're not going down that skinny road again are you!'

- of course Greece features some interesting wildlife not all of it known to man or David Attenborough but one particular species now named by H as one of those 'shiney greeny flyey things'

- although the motorhome isn't particularly small I've managed to whack my head, knees, elbows on various cupboards and door frames. The sympathy from H is that I apparently have oldsimons disease!