Making its way to Britain, the flame will first take in Greek archaeological sites including the Acropolis and Olympic Stadium in Athens, site of the first modern Games in 1896.
At the Acropolis Museum in Athens, there's a bas-relief of Hera, the queen of the gods, shaking hands with Athena, the goddess of wisdom which is apt, because the handshake is generally a wise move.
Athens, a street below the Acropolis: the old man in front of me stops in mid-stride to read a leaflet, which has been trodden into the pavement at his feet.