that old chestnut

I've called this post that old chestnut because this isn't the first time that I've shared images of our garden in the fall and chestnuts always seem to feature in those autumn posts.

After a particularly heavy downpour yesterday the sun came out from behind the grey clouds bringing beautiful blue skies and the perfect photo op for a Kodak moment.

I also found the grass littered with horse chestnuts which we call conkers

and mushrooms which may or may not be edible but we're not about to find out.

Linking this post to Mosaic Monday

hosted as always by

Mary @ the little red house

Hippocrates and the Knights Castle, Kos.

I wouldn't want you to think that all we did on vacation was lounge around in the sun, oh no.

On two occasions we took the ramshackle local bus down into Kos Town to wander the twisty streets and squares and admire the boats moored in the marina and harbour. 

The two main things to see when visiting Kos town, the island capital, 

are the Tree of Hippocrates and the Knights Castle.

The ancient plane tree that one sees today is about 500 years old, 

believed to be the oldest tree in Europe 

and possibly descended from the Tree of Hippocrates 

under which the father of medicine instructed his students.

Sadly, the tree is now a hollow shell and has to be supported by scaffolding. 

Surrounding the tree are tumbled down marble columns and broken fountains, 

they are cordoned off from the public but still gloriously magnificent.

The Tree of Hippocrates can be found in the square outside the entrance to the Knight Castle, a fortification built in the 14th century by the medieval Knights of St John in order to defend the town of Kos from the Ottomans.

The castle was originally built on an island separated from the mainland by a moat, with a drawbridge over. Later the moat became a road and a permanent bridge was built to link the castle to the mainland. I wonder how many feet have trodden these cobbled stones?

Ancient statues and columns everywhere you look.

 A not so ancient relic!

 Ancient cannons and cannonballs.

  We spotted this church which is undergoing restoration close to the harbour.

The site of yet another archaeological dig, close to the Tree of Hippocrates.

Joining the Tablescaper this week for

Shadow shots - poolside

As Mother Goose once said - "Home again, home again jiggity jig!!"

and it is lovely to be home again after our wonderful stay at the amazing Michelangelo Resort in Kos, but oh! that infinity pool.........

Early mornings were the best times to capture shadows.

It's going to take a while to readjust to home life and also to sort through the many photographs that we both took.

I know that it is hard to believe but the hotel was almost at full capacity.

There was always a quiet spot to enjoy the sun, read a book or enjoy a leisurely cocktail at the pool bar.

Sit back, relax, it's the weekend.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Mosaic Monday
with Mary