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

Autumn days

Autumn has arrived in Normandy bringing chilly mornings, stunning sunrises, falling leaves and the last of the potager's bounty. 

Hedgerows along the lanes are laden with blackberries just waiting for me to transform them into bramble jelly.

That is if we don't eat them all as we pick, risking scratched hands and staining our mouths and fingers with the rich red juice to savor their sweetness.
If I do manage to bring some home then I have found the perfect recipe to try on BBC Food website.
Click here if you'd like to try it yourself.

Later on this week the Senior Partner and I will be leaving on a trip to the fabled Greek Island of Kos, where according to Greek mythology  Hercules, son of Zeus, took refuge after losing most of his fleet on the journey back from Troy.
We have anticipated returning to Greece for many years, a vacation to celebrate the SP's well earned retirement.

When not communing with the Gods on Mount Olympus we'll spend our days lazing by the infinity pool, being pampered in the Spa and enjoying delicious Greek specialties in one of three of the Michelangelo Hotel's restaurants.

I've heard that wifi at the hotel is very hit and miss, I'll try and post some photographs of the stunning scenery and the blue Aegean sea but in case I can't this is what it looks like!

infinity pool - Michelangelo Hotel & Spa, Kos, from the hotel's website.

Joining Mary @thelittleredhouse for Mosaic Monday 

click on the link to see who else is sharing a collage this week