A few photos
A little more from the Kali Strata.
All posts by James Collins
Picking up
Picking up
We took a quick visit to Yialos on Monday to collect a couple of things before walking back up the steps to home. The Kali Strata is being weeded and painted, and with the new flower and plant shop at the top, looks splendid. There’s a new café in Trawler Square where the corner clothes and souvenir shop used to be, the Trawler is open, and the cafés in that square were doing some business. The jeweller is also open there, as are Pacho’s, Eva’s, ‘Comfy Chairs’ and other places, some of which have been open for a while now. As it was a three-boat day on Monday, there were also visitors from Rhodes and some people coming off the ferries with suitcases; a potentially good-for-business sign. It’s a double-edged sword too, of course, and an unavoidable one as we’ve been more or less cut off from the outside world for so long, and a return to ‘normal’ will bring with it apprehension. But, caution, common sense and cordiality will, no doubt, go hand in hand (in hand), and the island will adjust and adapt as the year progresses.
Meanwhile, Tuesday brought a slight rain shower in the morning, and it’s fair to say that the weather this year has been different to the same time last year. We’ve had a heatwave in May, colder temperatures since, with some days up to 32 in our courtyard, and others down to 20, bright days, cloudy ones, humidity, and so many variations, the mosquitoes don’t know whether to attack or hold back. Also on our recent agenda have been the delivery of leaflets from various cafes and eateries now pushing takeaways and deliveries, and the side of the fridge is becoming well-stocked with alternatives to eating out. On which note, Taverna George and Maria may be reopening soon, the Poseidon is arranging limited trips with limited numbers (pre-booking if you’re on Symi now or later), and I am sure I saw a taxi boat on the water the other day.
An early start
An early start
Monday brought me a very early start. 3.00 a.m., to be precise, and I have no idea why. It was only 23 degrees outside, there was no need for the fan, but for some reason, I was awake and raring to go, so rather than lie there thinking about it, I got up and set to work. I’d been to bed at 21.30 the night before which may have had something to do with it, or perhaps it was strange dreams brought about by watching Ridley Scott’s film, ‘All the money in the world’ before going to bed. Whatever the reason, it gave me a chance to hear and later observe the dawn.
The first cockerel sounded at 3.26 precisely, accompanied by the sound of my first cicada of the season. While having a cup of tea on the balcony, I saw an owl fly past. I assume it was an owl. In the first of the grey dawn, it appeared to have black wings, but it flew by silently with an owl-like motion. Soon after, more cockerels joined the rising cacophony, and later still, as a cloud rolled in over Nimos, the swallows set bout hoovering up the early morning bugs, and the interloper crow gave me a few caws. This is the first year I’ve seen and heard one in the neighbourhood, and I am sure it has scared the blackbirds from their nesting in the pomegranate tree next door.
The Blue Star was scheduled for 5.15, and I saw a few cars heading down to the port around then, but it didn’t come in until 6.00, so some people had a long wait. We’re doing well for ferries at the moment, with three Blue Star visits per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), the SAOS Ferries ‘Stavros’ (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday), and the Dodekanisos on a Monday, Friday and Sunday. Not that I am planning to go anywhere for a long while, but people still have to get to Rhodes and back for medical and shopping reasons, and the island needs its supplies. So, that was my Monday morning early start. Who knows what the rest of the week will bring…
Brits In Greece
Brits In Greece. Info from the Consulate
Hello and welcome to Monday. A couple of days ago, the British Consulate in Rhodes contacted me and asked if I would share a couple of posts from their excellent Facebook page, Brits In Greece. So, today, I’m posting up the images and texts of these two posts for those who don’t use Facebook, or who do but may not have found the page. The page has over 4,000 followers, many of whom involve themselves in post discussions, making it a good place for info, views and socialising. Here are the two posts
Are you a Brit living in #Greece? We’d love to hear your story! At times likes these, when meeting someone in person is harder, let’s get to know each other via this platform. The best stories will feature in a new series of #BritNextDoor notes we will be sharing in the Brits in Greece Facebook page, throughout the year. Please send a text of max 400 words along with 1-2 photos to: information.athens@fco.gov.uk
All contact details will be kept confidential.
When a relative or friend dies abroad, different procedures, laws or language can cause additional distress. Check our country-specific information for making practical arrangements ➡️ bit.ly/3eeyJEU
Symi weekend photos
Symi weekend photos
Here are a few photos to see you through the weekend. You may be able to see a cruiser in the harbour, the first I’ve seen from the balcony this year. As has become my custom, I am staying at home most of the time, writing, reading and researching.
