Symi Saturday Photos – random

Here are a few random shots to look at over the weekend. The weather forecast is currently showing a storm for Saturday and Sunday, up to force seven winds with rain. We’re out at the taverna tonight and have the godboys coming on Saturday, so it sounds like it might be a weekend for staying in with a good film or two. It’ll make a change; we’ve spent the last two days redecorating the sitting room, going up and down ladders and crawling around on all fours putting tape on skirting boards and other insane activities.

Fly over Symi

If you come to Symi via Rhodes airport, you often get to look down on the island from above as the flight path takes you near the southern end of the island. On clear days, you can easily make out Panormitis bay, the zigzag road and other landmarks, but all you see from that height is an island and rock. You have no idea of the green valleys, the forest, the hidden monasteries and everything else the island has to offer. Well, now, thanks to Symi TV (Facebook link) you can fly over Symi at no cost and see all the incredible detail.

Today, instead of me babbling on about nothing in particular, I thought I’d hand over your next four minutes of blog-read time to Symi TV by embedding their latest video. It’s drone footage the likes of which I’ve never seen. In fact, there are parts of the island shown here that many people would not have seen before – especially a part where you fly over the top of St George’s cliffs which is a bit scary. I tried to identify all the churches, some in very remote locations, and the beaches which you might be more familiar with. It’s only four minutes, but it’s pure magic and, if you click through to the YouTube page, you will find more excellent videos from Symi TV.

Walk and water

Another walk, another sunny day, and one that came with a couple of surprises. The first was answering the gate to Yiannis who had passed by to drop off two tubs of dinner he had made for us while cooking his own. Unexpected but well received. The second was when we were at Rainbow having an orange juice after shopping and enjoying the sunshine. I saw the water meter reader man. I’m not sure of the official title, but Michaelis is also our champion marathon runner, and I’m more used to seeing him on the news after some gruelling race he has just breezed through and, more than likely won. Now then…

Our water meter is in our courtyard, and it shouldn’t be. A few years ago, everyone was asked or told to move their meters outside, so they could be read on all properties and not just those where the occupier was at home. That was done at our old house, but it was never done here. Since we’ve been here, we have only had it read twice, and last time, the reading man (not Michaelis) didn’t seem to have it on his list. We were chatting to Yianni about this when I suggested I go home and let Michaelis in so he could read ours. He said he would come the next day. Meanwhile, Yiannis decided to phone the town hall and let them know the meter needs to be moved. I’m not sure what our landlord will say, but I expect he will be pleased; he’s mentioned its location before but never, it seems, got around to reporting it. I believe the water company are meant to come and move it, so now, hopefully, someone will. I must ask Yianni if the message got through. That’s just two examples of village life here on Symi.

Spring photos

I took my walk just in time yesterday. The rainbow over the village was a sign of things to come, and it rained later. That will have added more greenery to the hillsides, already verdant and coming back to life, but it did keep me in the house for the rest of the day. On Tuesday, the sun came up in a clear sky, and I was off out for another walk.

Here are a few more photos from this week, or from this time last year, to give you an idea of who the locale looks at this time of year.

Study and walking

You might remember that last year I set about reorganising my ‘study.’ Well, the last part of the refurbishment arrived on Sunday, and there’s a photo of it below. On one side of the room, out of shot, I have my typing desk, a corner pod that now holds my laptop with the printer beside it and a modern, Ikea cabinet for files and folders. Under the window in the middle, I have my old trunk and an antique looking box which is also a filing cabinet, and the window now has a green velvet curtain held back with a red and gold tassel. On the other side is what you see in the photo. My father’s old desk, my new chair, the lamp and my leather-bound notebooks. I use this desk for reading and writing by hand, feeing suitable old-fashioned and almost Victorian. The floor is now covered by a deep, red carpet that almost reaches the walls. I should have gone for the full fitting as the carpet was cut to order, but left a border as the walls in Symi houses don’t always square up. Anyway, it’s done now – apart from the bookcase which is white and needs either painting a darker, natural colour or replacing with a wooden one when/if I can afford it.

Yesterday, rather than spend the day in the chair, I went for a walk up to the old cantina overlooking Horio. A rainbow greeted me as I turned a corner on the road, though it wasn’t raining at that time. It was a pleasant morning for walking, and I didn’t need a coat. I was traipsing 1.5 miles uphill and then down again, so I was warm enough.

These walks are not just for exercise and a vain attempt to keep the weight down. (I have had to loosen the belt a notch over the winter and it’s now on hole two. Last November it was on hole three, an inch away, so I want to get back to that level at least.) These walks are also an opportunity to clear my mind and then refill it with ideas for stories, or to simply lose myself in the music I listen to and enjoy the rural scenery. Yesterday that included not only the grass and greenery now abundant on the island, but goats, sheep, dogs, chickens, a horse and the birds, ravens overhead and in the bushes. It’s also pleasant to wave at people you know as they pass in cars and on bikes. It all gives you a sense of belonging.

Back at the pod as opposed to the desk at nine, and the rest of the day is mine to create.