We are in the southern Peloponnesus region today, near the coastal town of Monemvasia.

Update: it’s HOT here.

The hotel where we are staying was once a Byzantine manor house. Absolutely stunning. It’s surrounded by centuries old olive trees and groves of orange and eucalyptus trees. It smells better than LUSH.

It also has a furry greeting committee – a dog named Rambo, who lives on the property, and belongs to everyone. There’s also a family of cats that seem to own the hotel. Can you imagine a pride of cats joining you at the breakfast buffet at the Hampton Inn? People would lose their shit. They are welcome at my breakfast, though.

Also joining us for breakfast: yellow jackets. I hate those assholes.

We were going to visit a beekeeper today, but he has Covid, so we’re taking a chill day at the hotel. My entire plan for the day is to read my book (The Song of Achilles, which is brilliant, btw) and try to avoid sweating.

Ken went off to climb a mountain or some equally ill-advised activity for this kind of heat. It’s 95 blistering sun-scorched degrees outside. He’s going to burst into flames.

I’m getting way too many garden ideas from this property. Amphoras. I need amphoras.

Some fierce games of spades were played today. Luckily, Ken and Gary aren’t competitive at all.