Sunset

In Greek mythology Hesperides were are nymphs of the evening or the golden light at sunset.  They were called also Atlandides because they were daughters of the titan Atlas.  According to legend the Maidens of the West were tending of the Tree that Dance of the Hesperides around the Golden Tree that was bearing Golden apples.  Hesperides took great pleasure by dancing and singing sweet songs around the tree, (Canvas by Eduard Carvet, 1799-1883)

A happy cow enjoying the green grass of Ireland at sunset (photo by Enya Woods)

View of downtown Columbus, Ohio at sunset after a summer storm (photo by George Spigos)

Chicago also known as windy city or city by the lake at sunset from Adler Planetarium

View of Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn bridge.

Tourists flock at Cape Sounion to visit Poseidon's Temple and to enjoy the sunset at Saronic Gulf. 

Super moon over Poseidon's Temple.  If you can visit the site tomorrow October 2nd you will enjoy the rising beautiful moon between the columns of the Temple that was erected at 440 BC. (photo by T. Matsopoulos) 

Last Sail in 2018

My brother Nikos, steering Okyrhoe, to her winter berth.  They are near Patroclus islet and not far from cape Sounion.

Closing towards cape Sounion with a storm looming in the east. 

The sun lights a rock of the precipice at Sounion at sunset. Cape Sounion is surrounded on three sides by the sea and is where king Aegeas waited for his son Theseus return from Crete. 

Cape Sounion which the Venetians called Capo Colonne is noted for its temple of Poseidon, one of the major monuments of the Golden Age of Greece. 

Cape Sounion is close to the city of Lavrio, which in antiquity was called Thorikon.  It was known for its silver mines the proceeds from which supported the rise of Athens to the most important city in Classical Greece.

Lavrion

We moor our boat Okyrhoe in the port of Lavrion.   It is therefore axiomatic that should I write about the city that serves as a host to our sailing.  I will do in two parts as the modern city which is located about 70 km from Athens and 10 km from Cape Sounion is known for its port while in antiquity it was famous for its silver mines.

Lavrion’s City Hall, the neoclassical building, is in the center of the old harbor where sailboats tie up next to a beautiful boardwalk.

Lavrion’s old train station remind us of a bygone era when the travel from Athens was on trains with steam engines.

On a Saturday Nikos our skipper (gray beard), my son John (blond beard) and Kostas (black beard) are preparing the boat for a race.

Soon after the start of the race from Lavrion to Kea, Okyrhoe is ahead with the rest of the fleet following.

My son Mark, his wife Sam and I are standing in front of Okyrhoe after a day sail to the nearby island of Macronisos.  

Near the port of Lavrio is one of the best marinas in Greece, Olympic marine.

As winter is around the corner and the sailing activities are at a minimum it is appropriate to close todays post with a picture of Lavrion Yacht Club which is now quiet and so different than during summer when sailors and their friends are everywhere.