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SPECIAL BOXING DAY LIVE RUN WITH BAR STOPS

The meeting point was just outside the metro station entrance on Syntagma Square (at the usual 11.00 a.m.). The sun was out but it was real Brass Monkey weather. Cold as a witch's tit. The guards were freezing their butts off outside the parliament building. A few well wrapped-up kids were feeding the masses of hungry pigeons. The wind whipped unimpeded across the expanses of asphalt and flagstones. A stage had been erected in the square for a children's show and the performers were huddling together in their flimsy silken brightly-coloured outfits. A young guy struggled to put on his stilts. Clowns would venture out of their changing caravan and head straight back inside. Someone was testing the PA system. No audience to be seen near the stage. Maybe a tad too early.

After waiting until 11.20 for any other hashers to appear (making allowances for the day after Xmas) we set off. Zigzagging down the narrow streets in the direction of Monistiraki. A quick look inside the main doors of the Metropolis (Athens Cathedral) in passing. Still lots of scaffolding inside (and outside) due to major restoration. No time to light a candle. Down another side street. A tourist shop open but precious little else. Today it's really dead round a normally very busy area. Even most tavernas closed.

We head up towards the upper Plaka area. One or two tourists milling around. A view of the Tower of the Winds looms into view between the buildings. We head higher up towards the acropolis. It's getting steeper & a nagging thirst is beginning to get our attention. Enjoyable thoughts of all the holiday boozing come to mind.

We come across a friendly looking taverna. The Mezedopoleion To Palio Tetradio (Mnisikleous 26, Plaka. Tel: 210-321-1903). The proprietor beckons us in. Yes its OK if we just want a drink. We are led into the back room & seated at a table in front of a welcome log fire. Flames dancing & logs spitting - we order Ouzo. Just the job to warm the inner soul. We sit there soaking up the warmth and sipping the fragrant liquid & nibbling snacks. Do we really want to venture back outside? Are we crazy?

But we are hashers and destined to do that which normal folks would shun. So we bid the waiter farewell and set off up and around the Acropolis. With the city laid out beneath us we come across an Albanian family enjoying a stroll. I ask them to take my photograph but they misunderstand and line-up expectantly, so I take theirs instead.

Having circled the Acropolis and passed the front-entrance (the gates up to the Parthanon are closed for the holidays), we return to Syntagma by way of the new pedestrian way, past the Temple of Olympian Zeus (observing the newly-laid tram lines - not yet complete) and then up through the National Gardens. The liquid refreshment has now worked its way down and we duck into the undergrowth to relieve the pressure - to the amusement of passing strollers.

Back in Syntagma Square the children's show is just finishing and the performers are turning blue with cold. The crew are packing up at high speed. This is no time to have a circle (we have no beer anyway) and there isn't an open eating place in sight except for McDonalds. With leftover Turkey & other tasty Christmas foods waiting at home there is no contest. So we split for home with a hearty appetite & a feeling of well being and holiday cheer.