GREECE our journey in a hired car from Athens - 1980

In 1980 I was resident in Saudi Arabia and waiting for clearance from the Saudi Aabian Authorities for my wife's Permit to allow Jackie a Teacher to come and live with me from our home in Woking in Surre, England. She was working at Winston Churchill School in the Domestic Science Department during the 9 months it took to obtain the Visa with the help of our London Office.

As it took so long Tom an Architect I worked with in Athens, in 3rd September Street, offered their house six Railway stops North of Athens as a respite home for us to meet and as they were going to America for 3 weeks around the August Bank Holiday,we had 3 weeks use of their house. This was very kind of Tom & Linda and we chose to tour the Greek country side as well after they left for their Vacation so we hired a car and drove as you will see to some of the most exhillarating sceenery.

From Athens up to Volos a quick look at Thessaloniki and from Agia across to Karpenisi and down to Delphi where we then crossed over by Patra ferry to Olympia and drove across the Peloponnese to Agremon and back to Athens on their August bank Holiday weekend, driving against the traffic over the Korinthos Canal into the deserted town to return the Hire car.

On the train back from Athen's main Square back to the house just North off Athens we realised the slight rise to the cooler slopes above Athens and eventually Vaziliacos IceCream Parlour and our Temporary home.

Before they went to America for their Holiday they took us to Marathon Beach and surrounds for the day to give us an idea of the coastline and driving conditions we would experience here are some photos of the day with them.

The following photos follow the route described above with nights in Volos and Karpenisi, which shows what you can do if you keep driving to keep cool.

After Agia we went to Volos and swam a while then drove up to see Thesolonika and back towards Agia turning West up and over the steep hills to Karpenissi where we spend a few nights.

More photos will be added here soon, of  Delphi and the route to Corinth across the Peleponese.

here is a Short Video with one of my favourite Greek Tunes

http://www.youtube.com/embed/b7e5ePQADls

and the Monuments

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and visiting Santorini

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Our parting at Athens Airport was like a Movie Cheerio my flying to Saudi and Jackie flying to London , anyway it all worked out.

The Olympics - well after visiting the Origonal Stadium we had to visit one at least in our time so , we managed to get to Los Angeles 1984
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We later stayed again with them in San Francisco as we left the Middle East some 5 years on.

In return we offered Windsor Castle and a visit to Royal Holloway University tour when they visited us in England . I lost contact with Tom & Linda after we met in Windsor and wish them well .
We have just lost another friend to Cancer -Chris Parker is Lost - is the Blog name.

Our referee the late David Machonachie of Bahrain RFC

Well  - pheep 10 yards back in time -  somewhere near the starting line of the Dubia Sevens Rugby Tournament David Maconachie organised Gulf Refereeing in Bahrain and the Gulf. See david on the pitch at Saar Road Bahrain in the Video here the Jpeg appears some 6.22 into the Film of Ian's birthday Dedication by Radio Bahrain.

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David seen here at 6.22 minutes was one of 4 of the Rugby Club Referees when I was there and long after however died last month Sussex as head of Sussex Rugby Union Club Referees

In the Stills Film with Radio Bahrain Dedication Recording for my Birthday Tim Manns is now Radio Plymouth and Mike Riddoch is now Riddy in the Morning Radio Clyde2FM.

The film was made as a memorial to Jackie, of Bahrain School, Ian's wife however since we have also lost Ian's Mother, Father & Father in Law & John French his Middlerow Partner at Bahrain & Marlow RFC.

Barbar Avenue where we lived has changed somewhat and the club has moved from Saar Road to its new location at www.bahrainRFC.com

.http://www.youtube.com/embed/EMCYcL3lCQc

He refereed many evening games and hot dusty humid league matches.

The preferred Charity is The Wooden Spoon Society if you wish to contribute.

Dear All, here is Davids Sheet from the Service.

Ian.

Ps David born North London and evacuated lost both his parents during the war and after a career in the Army in the Manchester area got a Job in Philippine Airways then Gulf Air Bahrain where we all came to know him.

His immediate attraction to his wife led to 3 children who grew up in the Dilmun and Rugby Clubs and Hash House Harriers.

All 3 children spoke on the Themes Adventure , Organised Sport and Caring -Kindness which portrayed David. David Sainsbury also a local National Referee spoke long and well on the Contribution of David to Sussex Refereeing - infact 25,000 games were under his control by the end of his life.

He got involved with Sussex Refereeing after organising the Gulf Association of Referees and was instigative in creating the Dubai Sevens.

When he returned home to their inlaws house it backed on to the Bognor Regis Rugby Ground and David went through the back gate and asked if they needed a Referee to which they thankfully replied Yes Please.

Peter Tatum Brown (Sally in New Zealand)& Rachel in Tv , said he was recruited by David and 4 referees ran Bahrain RFC.

Donations are requested to the Referees Fund for Deprived Players.

Bognor is a Lovely change from Surrey and Felyham a linked habitat of small cottages and Pubs with snake like avenues down to the Sea from St. Mary's Church Yard.

The Cremation was in the Morning and the adjacent modern Community Hall was used next to the Chuch with Tea and Shortbread for those who wished to chat.

During my stay I met Peter obviously and his wife and a couple from the Dilmun Club who ran Bahrain Aluminium Extrusions who were family friends.

David Sainsbury spoke so well in the Church I asked if his authoritive voice came from Refereeing himself and he added his experience was now National County Games and that David did all his organising from his own phone at home leaving the family phone free . David up untill the end had infilled with himself if the referee did not turn up at the wicket to bowl . Cricket being his main interest.