Kavala to Limenaria, 21 May

 We have waved goodbye to Kevin who took the 6.00 bus to Thessolonika to connect with Easy Jet to Gatwick. Thanks Kevin for a wonderful 10 days, we look forward to your return.

We have to fill up with diesel today and it has to be done with canisters. So it means a few trips back and forth to the pump station. After t hat we plan to travel to the southern part of the island Thasos.

But first an early morning walk to see if we can reach the aqueduct which dominates the city.

The aqueduct was build by the Turks in the 15 th century. Although built by Turks it it in Romsm style.

It is a magnificent structure right in the middle of the city.

Just from another angle.

We left Kavala at 9.55. We really enjoyed our stay here and are very glad that we stayed for two days.

Headed towards The island Thasos and to a port on the southern part of the island, Limanaria. Caves just outside the town.

I suppose we are going to see many of these, but needed to be photographed because this is our First Greek Island,  Thasos has an interesting history

Found a spot in the little harbour. No electricity and it seems as if there is no water but we have a full tank and will do not need to cook because we will eat at one on the numerous tavernas here. The tourists have not come do there is a rush for our custom!

Just above the harbour was the mine managers house. The Palataki. A magnificent house conspicuous when you enter the Limenaria port. Yellow colour and green window shutters, two towers. A place for a mine manager overlooking the Aegean Sea and the mine activities. But on a closer look the place is in a state of decay and the old grandeur is no longer only a ghost like building.

The mining started in 1903 when the German company Speidel got the permission from the then Turkish rulers to start a mine for production of zink and lead mineral products. After WW1 the mine was   confiscicated, the island given th the Greeks. In 1920 the mine was auctioned and tha Belgium company Viellege Montangue ( previous owner of Swedish mine Zinkgruvan which is now under Lundin Mining) The last owner of the mine was Krupp who ran a iron ore mine on the island and using the old Shipping facilities and other infrastructure. In the end of the sixties the operations seized and the mines closed down. 

Here is the old Palatakis story from its own perspective.

The vertical furnaces used to calcine the zink and lead ore. 

The universal Patron Saint Barbara looks after all mining and artillery people and their activities. Fire in the mountain!