Our wonderful hosts not only shared their many telescopes and equipment but also their friendship and also their lovely food! (Photo Courtesy George: Nikolidakis)

Our fantastic trip was as a result of a very kind invitation by our friends from Greece. On arrival in Athens we were met by our wonderful hosts and brought to our hotel in central Athens.  We were then treated to some wonderful greeks cuisine in a local restaurant before going for a lovely stroll to the see a lovely old observatory atop a nearby hill.  From there a lovely view of the ancient Acropolis.

The following morning we were met by the lovely Christina to meet with the gang to begin the scenic journey through the foothills of the Peloponnese mountains stopping along the route for lunch and a visit to the sleepy town of Ayios Petros.

 
Left to right Stella, Kiriakee, Yiannis, Mike, Vagelis, Dave L, Christina, Leonidas, Frank. In case you need to tell the Irish from the Greeks, just look at the colour of those legs :-)

Over the next three days we were treated to a masterclass in Greek hospitality, with wonderful friends, food and a bit of Irish 'Craic' (fun) thrown in.  Our greeks friends who now numbered almost 100, assembled a fine array of telescopes from the very smallest to the very largest which was a 20" truss tube dobsonian owned and built by George Nikolidakis

George and his lovely family Dora and Stelios kindly shared some wonderful chats and some stunning views through Geroge'sfantastic scope. In fact all of the attendees of the Parnonas star party were more than willing to share the views of the stunninggly clear night sky.  (See some wonderful photos of the sky over Parnonas mountain by Frank Ryan Jr.)  A particular highlight for me was the discovery of 'Carbon Stars'  These beautiful red stars are the speciality of Yiannis Effremidis who was very happy to share his love of these real gems of the night sky.

Yiannis Effremidis giving a demonstration of 'Relaxed Photography'.

George Nikolidakis points out some of the features of the 'Big Guy' to his lovely wife Dora. (Courtesy: George Nikolidakis)

Dora and George Nikolidakis and Dave Grennan (Photo: Stelios Nikolidakis)

Mike O'Connell, Dave Lillis, Frank Ryan share a discussion with Vagelis Tsamis about Vagelis' new camera tracking mount.

 Anthony, Stella, Yiannis, Adonis (Thanks for the lovely food), and Leon share a chat in the dining room!

Mike and Frank waiting for darkness to fall. 

 Frank looking suitably impressed!

 Unfortunately I managed to well and truly stuff up my photography opportunities when I thought I had left behind a plug adaptor for my battery charger only to find it in the bottom of my suitcase when I got home. So unfortunately only a few photos from me.  You can find lots more photos taken by Vagelis Tsamis, Mike O'Connell

Thankfully if memories were photographs this page would stretch to the Moon and back.  This is all because of the generosity and kindness received from Kiriakee, Stella, Christina, Vagelis, Yiannis, Leonidas, Adonis, Anthony, Stefanos, George, Dora, Stelios and lots of other friends who made our stay so enjoyable. I do hope you guys will pay a visit to Ireland sometime soon so that we can at least begin to return your warmth and amazing hospitality. Until we meet again Έως ότου συναντιόμαστε πάλι, σας ευχαριστήστε