Sunday February 9
The easyJet flight from Edinburgh to Athens is available in February. All other Greek destinations only operate in the Summer months. The opperchancity of some Greek Food, German Bier, Curry, (eh?) and Sunshine make this an Irresistible Venue for part of the February Week.
Hector knew in advance that there would be an unseasonal warmth, 19°C being forecast for much of our Four Days. Let me remind those who don’t know these things, such temperatures are recorded in the Universal Stevenson Screen, i.e. in the shade. Walking in the direct sunlight can boost the temperature markedly.
The ‘plane arrived bang on schedule. A favourable gate meant we did not have the long walk to passport control experienced two years ago. A queue, a long one. It passed quickly. Still on schedule for 22.00 Dinner it was inevitable that this was the weekend the Metro was having maintenance. No Metro at all this weekend. The X95 Bus would take longer, it also meant standing. The second time I have arrived in Athens having stood.
The Plaka Hotel is in an Ideal Location, nearer Monastiraki than Sytagma it is also on the edge of the slope up to the Northern Edge of The Acropolis. We enjoyed our stay here two years ago despite having to take refuge from the Riots on our arrival. The Tear Gas was not fun either.
Hector led Marg to the very restaurant where we had enjoyed Traditional Greek Cuisine and a Musician on our last visit. The first restaurant on the left heading East from Monastiraki, it is always busy. Tonight was no exception. We were shown to our table near the Food Counter. I smelled something that was not Food. Not One, but Many were smoking. This is unacceptable. We left.
The remainder of the restaurants in this area may sell Oven Cooked Greek Food, I believe the majority do not. A nameless place had a non-smoking room. The Bottled Bier was Heineken, the Food Grilled – Pork and Chicken Souvlaki, Marg had the Chicken. This was not the start to The Trip I had planned. Better than 2012 when no Food or Bier was consumed, but so far, not by much.
Walking across Ermou into the Plaka Hinterland Hector located the small square on which sits Beer Time. It was late, we would be the only customers, hang on, there were people on the balcony initially. The Waitress was new, very new as would become apparent. The Lovely Lady who Cooks was still in situ. She kept Marg amused last visit with Chocolate and Other Nibbles. Bier Time sells Bier, no Coffee, Spirits. Marg ordered a Framboise. New Waitress had no idea if this came straight from a Bottle or had to be Mixed. Surprisingly she had to Mix it.
The Boss isn’t here tonight and I have no idea what I’m doing – she admitted. She was able to pour Hector a 0.4; Glass of Magnus Magister. The publicity made Hector thin this was a Swiss Helles. It turned out to be a Hellas Microbrewery – from Rhodos. Greek Bier? At 4.8% it was fine, slightly Hopped and a Strange After-taste which diminished in time. At least the After-taste was not the usual Microbrewery Yeast Taste which ruins so many efforts.
The attraction of Beer Time is their healthy Deutsche Bier Menu. I asked for Andechs Bergbock Hell, Waitress hadn’t a clue. I went up to the bar and spotted Augustiner Edelstoff. She managed to find this in the fridge. All was well. Paisley Lager to complete the evening.
Tomorrow would be a day of wandering, Curry for Lunch, Coffee and Cake for Marg, Ice Cream and hopefully Traditional Greek Cuisine for the evening Meal. There would be no Monday return to Beer Time, Monday is Ruhetag.
Monday February 10
The curtains were drawn back at 09.00. The Sky was Blue, not a Cloud. The Trusty Samsung claimed the outside Temperature was already 10°C. This jumped to 16°C by the time we had finished Breakfast. The two hour time difference, we had gone to bed and risen at the same times as GMT.
Polo-shirt, Sandals, the Hector Garb. Marg hedged her bets and took a Jacket. This was stuffed into her bag by Noon. The Sun was Warm, Comfortable, Wonderful. A Bonus.
Athinas connects Monastriaki to Omonia. Here lies the Fish and Meat Market, Fascinating. The Pet Shops lie on this stretch too. Pet Shops in Greece actually sell Pets. Marg was in her element. Caged Birds may be Moderately Interesting, so too Reptiles. But let a Lady pick up a Puppy, and, well, it’s just as well we were abroad.
With Marg in a Happy Place, it was time to turn the corner into Geraniou and make a Return Curry-Heute Visit to the Dhaka Palace. This put Hector in a Happy Place too.
After lunch We went exploring to the Northern Extremities of Our Patch then hiked back to Plaka.
to be continued… one day…