[caption id="attachment_6707" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Feb 29th 12.30 pm, Symi"][/caption] Update: I just added this image of icicles on the rosemary bush; well, if Facebook can keep you updated on Symi weather by the minute, why can't Symi dream? The temperature is expected to climb to a dizzy 5 degrees today, though it currently feels more like -4, with a very cold north wind blowing strong. Not as strong as last night, in fact it seemed to die down at exactly 6.35 this morning, which was just after the church bells had started ringing. I know this because I was up just after six catching the outside bin which was rattling around the terrace being blown in all directions. Just as I got that secured the Alarm Cat was at the door eagerly anticipating an early breakfast. He was served with one, and didn’t want it, and then I tried to get back to sleep on the sofa. (Can’t go back to bed once the AC is in the house, there would be no point; he’d be at the door shouting until you got up and kept him company while he watched the morning news.) That didn’t go too well once the AC realised there was a someone’s head to sit on, so purring kept me lively as I listened to the wind battering the house. And that’s how I know it stopped, suddenly, for a while, at 6.35. It started up again soon after but doesn’t seem to be as fierce. [caption id="attachment_6704" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Village residents keep warm"][/caption] The Blue Star boat is going to be a day late as it was grounded (if a ship can be grounded) in Kalymnos last night. It was due in this morning to take Mike and Sue to Rhodes, and to take other passengers I expect. But they can’t leave until Thursday now as the ship is, as I write, just passing the island of Syphnos on its way to Piraeus, due to return tonight and arrive here tomorrow. We’re all watching the wind to see if it will be coming back as it is currently our only ‘big boat.’ I have to say, the sea out there is still pretty white, especially out of the shelter of Nimos/Symi and I’m glad I am not planning to leave the house today. We went out last night to see M&S off and have a farewell drink with them in the warmth of the Sunrise café. Coming home around 10.30 was probably the coldest I've felt on Symi, the wind was howling and it was, as Frankie Howerd used to say, ‘bitter out.’ Rainbow was open though the doors were closed but needless to say no one was sitting outside at that time of night in February. [caption id="attachment_6703" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="On a warmer morning, a couple of Sundays ago"][/caption] And I should really say Xronia polla and Happy name day to anyone called Casianos (Cassianos, Kassianos, Casianos, Kasianos, Casos, Kasos). It’s not often that they get a chance to celebrate their name day on the day itself, February 29th so here’s wishing you a good one.