Down to the sea
![Image](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPB8Avb5GBglpV2G4k4zQyhigQ9-bX29mDbCfiKf6YYhztrM-yxzajU8xAdP_3sbizggArgjm4Hrj6Z1GkzGnkD45186Gyn2TgntAWmI_s0mTrAhb1juRClB6xqC82R71uUIefzOkBJRQ7iPXVDENSDyS9Aq0TrGG-eRF5s-PpgzK8ewHGZykSB5_sIk2U/w400-h300/IMG_4159.jpg)
We live in the Peak District, about as far from the sea as you can get in the UK, so we had always planned on going to a beach while we were in Athens. We caught a metro to the Peace and Friendship Stadium stop, not quite the end of the line in Piraeus, but close to the water and maybe the possibility of a bathing beach. The metro was certainly a colourful ride, and very cheap. Graffiti seems to be everywhere in Athens. We walked through a dusty uninteresting park and came to a marina where we stopped for coffee.It was an overcast morning but still warm. The water in the marina had a skim of oil over the top, not the place for a swim. Mairi had found a swimming beach, Freatida, on the map, so with a little walking around the houses and apartments we found ourselves on a stony shore where others were sunbathing and swimming. I am sure the water was not up to blue flag standard but we both had a quick dip and sat on our towels to dry off. Afterwards we walked onwards towards Piraeu...