This being another slow news day, I have some old photos to share. I can’t remember what time of year they were taken, spring and summer, I reckon, but they’re something to look at. Meanwhile, there was an earthquake in Cyprus yesterday. We didn’t feel anything here, of course, but we are used to tremors as much as the next island. We’re not as used to the traffic police as some, however, and no-one will be surprised to learn that the police are currently cracking down on road tax avoidance, insurance and/or license dodging, and what can only be described as helmet evasion. Over on Crete, traffic authorities have recently confiscated 3,123 driver’s licenses, including 750 for using a mobile phone while driving. (I didn’t know driving licences knew how to use a phone, let alone drive.) This crackdown has reduced fatal accidents by 60% in Hania alone. So, that’s some good news, and now some photos.

Oh, before then, it’s worth pointing out that many drivers on the island, the young ones in particular, are all part of a WhatsApp group that monitors and shares police locations, so when they’re out looking, no-one’s on the road. I think these drivers might be missing the point – that the laws are there for their safety. Anyway, it’s not my head cracking against the rocks.

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It’s another no-news day (get used to them, it’s out of season). Except to report… No. No news so here are some random photos.

One of them’s a cruise ship in Rhodes (don’t know why I took that one). That was last month. I am back there next week to set up some dental business, and maybe do some shopping – in Rhodes, I mean, not on the cruise ship. I’m not exactly Jane MacDonald, though I did once audition for a job on a cruise ship. The audition was held just off Leicester Square in the West End (very glamorous – not), in some old shed, it seemed, and I was going for the job of cocktail and cabaret pianist. This was in the days before everything ended up on one keyboard; pianos, orchestra, choir, rhythm section all at the touch of a button – honestly, to be work in such a job now, and particularly in a West End pit, you need to know how to operate a space shuttle console just to coax a bit of Weill out of the instrument.

Anyway, I played, they asked if I could play X, Y and Z (it’s a song by Michel Legrand), and I could and I did, and then they asked me if I knew this and that (the most famous vocal double act on the high seas), and I kind of did know this, but was unsure of that so I improvised. Needless to say, I didn’t get the job, and when, after I’d played, they told me about the ship and the cruise, the living conditions and the pay, I didn’t want it anyway.

Whatever, enjoy your no news day.

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I suppose the big news story from the island today is the Christmas lights. They’ve been up for a while, and probably on for some nights, but last night was the first time I’d seen them. They’re not all the way through the village lane (yet) like previous years, but there are some wrapped around the tree in the square, and someone’s plugged in the strings along the path outside Rainbow. The Christmas trees are out of storage in Yialos and elsewhere, and before long, we will no doubt have our Christmas village in the concert space down there.

Christmas? It’s not even the middle of November. I know, but… Well, I blame commercialism.

Talking of which, don’t forget next year’s Symi Dream calendar is on sale via Lulu.com, and your copy is waiting for purchase right now.

Also talking of which, if you like to read thrillers and suchlike, you might be interested n checking out this list of 77 titles that are in a promotional offer called Mayhem & Motives (kindle, e-book, Amazon, paperbacks, etc.).

And back to the news… Road closure for all but feet at Petalo port until Friday… Boat due in at 8.50… the phone bill has arrived… Neil is making a cup of tea… It’s that time of year again. I will see if I can invent some news for tomorrow.

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Waking up to a calm morning after a very quiet weekend. All the activity was going on at the other end of the island this weekend, with some evening outings, music, celebrating down in the harbour, and in the village taverna at night. There was live music playing at Georgio’s on Sunday afternoon, which might have been by public subscription, and that was nice to hear as we passed by, but mostly, for me, the weekend was very quiet. Fewer boats in the harbour than of late, less traffic on the road, fewer people on the street, so when I went up to deposit the rubbish, it was just me and them noisy old chickens.

We seem to have done our own celebrating over the weekend, and that was because Neil finally finished his summer job on Thursday. He didn’t know until Friday, but that’s how it is. By way of celebration, I made a chicken stew with suet dumplings, and later in the day, made oat and honey biscuits, except we didn’t have honey, and the nearest I could find at the back of a cupboard was a jar of Indian molasses, but it worked. That, though, was the last of the suet. It’s one of those things that I’ve not seen on any shelves, neither here nor in Rhodes (not that I spend my days there looking for it), so it’s a rare thing to have in the house. Not that we have any longer because I’ve used it. Strangely, on the same things as last year’s packet: a spotted dick and eight dumplings. On which note, I’m off.

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…is upon us. The day, at this end of the island, has started grey and chilly, a little damp, but calm and quiet. Hardly any boats down in the harbour (that I can see, but I can only see half of it), and the Blue Star isn’t in yet. That’s expected in about an hour, and when it comes in, I want to watch it unload. Some years, around the start of the festival and around Easter, the early boat comes in and disgorges a line of cars which snake from the port all the way up the hill and off into who knows where. In today’s case, to the limited amount of parking at Panormitis, I expect, and to family and holiday homes, some hotels, maybe, but any traffic in today will mainly be for the festival. If I see or take any images, I will post them.

Meanwhile, it’s the same old same old for me, though I have some things to set up via my online banking. I managed to pay the landlord this month’s rent and January’s rent at the same time with – I forgot to postdate the second one when I was setting them up – so that’s to be done. Housework (maybe), writing (definitely), and some other bits and pieces around the house to be seen to.

Here are a couple more shots of the harbour during the week. It was quiet up until a few minutes after we finished lunch, then, with two boats in, things really picked up. The Nikolaos X left for the winter yesterday (long, long blast on horn as leaving), and Neil’s final day at work today may or may not happen. Yiannis will ring him if needed – so if you were planning on coming down, Miss DJ, check with Neil first.

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