19: photos from final days in Cylcades

The great hike over Amorgos Island and down to the windswept southern shore...

Then the jawdropping hike back up 350+ steps, up to the monastery of Hozoviatissas

Hewn out of the rock more than 1000 years ago and still going stong, but with only 2 monks and 1 abbot; we were shown great warmth and hospitality to reward our climb.

The tiny door keeps the elements out (and nearly me!)

Destination next was Kilimnos, but after a rather frightening sail in the dark with MUCH more wind that we expected, we gratefully crept into port further up the coast of Amorgos. Kilimnos used to be the sponge harvesting capital of the world.

Some shops had stock which must surely take decades to clear; demand has plummeted after both synthetic and inferior Carribean sponges have all but killed the market here.

Meanwhile life goes on; this chap was VERY grateful to sell 1Euros worth of oranges

Our final stop in Greece, for while - Kos town, with the imposing castle of the Knights of St.John

This was our neighbour - the old owner seemed to come on board every day to peer out of his cabin whilst quielty working through a pack of cigarettes. Clearly a handmade boat (no!!). Note the stern anchor rope and the mast head!

SOMEONE has to feed all those stray cats! He summoned them by ringing his bycycle bell. Note the plundered column sections partially making up the wall of the castle.

Our new neighbours, Pippa and Richard, who we had first met in Venice all those months ago! We clycled together to the massive temple and "first hospital" complex, the Asclepeion, attributed to Hippocrates, "the father of medicine", born in Kos around 460BC.

Medical conferences therefore justly take place here, but this wierdly ostentatious monument, built earlier this year, had been rearranged by some local wit... Turkey is in the background; our next stop!!!