We’re still walking through the valley today, in photos, and I’ll put the rest up for tomorrow and the weekend.
I heard from a couple of people that when they went to see the blog the other day, they didn’t see any photos. They appeared later. They were there, honest! We’ve been having issues with our internet connection on our side of the village, and I don’t think it’s just us. We’re meant to have 12 Mbs, but during the day, notably around lunchtime, that drops to below 1 Mb, and sometimes the connection drops out completely. I don’t think it’s just us and I can only assume that the equipment on Symi isn’t up to date enough to cope with the traffic, especially around the time school finishes and youngsters get back to their all-important social media in case they missed any classroom gossip during the day. Whatever the reason, if this carries on, a firm phone call to the internet provider may be called for. If anyone knows the reason for this up and down service, which has been going on since around January, please let me know so I can tell others.
Before we set off for part two (photos) or a walk through the Pedi valley in May, here is some news on the Symi International Film Festival that I meant to share with you last week. The Symi Gallery who organise the film festival, have told me:
“At 11.30 today (17/5) we received our 100th submission for this year’s festival. This one was from Nepal. We have received submissions from 28 countries. 31 of the films entered are from Greek filmmakers.
The total running time of all submissions stands at 41 hours.
The early bird deadline is 31 May (lowest fees), normal deadline 30 June and the final deadline (highest fees) is 15 July.”
It looks like there is going to be a great Symi film festival later this year (dates to be announced in due course).
Now lets’ get back to our wandering with some more of Neil’s photos taken last weekend when we took a Sunday walk with some friends through one of the more rural parts of Symi. I think he is planning to do this on a semi-regular basis.
Today, and probably for the next few days, we’re going on a Pedi valley walk. Well, I’m not, but Neil did, and so I have several images he took last Sunday. There are many close-ups of plants which, as we’re now into May, are already showing signs of ‘spring is over’, but they’re still beautiful. There are also some shots of the condition of some of the paths which, after last year’s storm, have not yet adapted back to their previous condition. They may never do, and Neil says that if you’re going through the valley on the south-side walk, you need to take extra care now as some of the old riverbeds are difficult to pass. Don’t do it in flip-flops! Anyway, here are a few of the photos to get us started on our virtual ramble.
The Blue Star 1 came in on Monday as promised, sounded its horn, turned a circle and backed to the new landing stage. It was there about five minutes and was then off again. Very quick and efficient. If you’re wondering how you get to and from this new landing stage, it’s simple. You can see from the photos that it’s on the south side of the harbour and a fair distance from where the other boats land, but… You can take a taxi there if you arrange it in advance and the drivers will also pick you up from the boat if you have arranged that too. You can also take the bus down from Horio and Lakis, or Thanasis will stop by the harbour entrance (Petalo taverna/beach) if you ask them, I’m sure. From there you walk down the slope and along the new quayside.
From Yialos, it’s a case of heading along the road out of town, passing the taxis and bus stop and no doubt if there’s a taxi free, you can take one from there. Instead of walking up the hill, you turn to the left at Petalo taverna/beach, towards the petrol station. It’s easy to find, but it is a bit of a walk from Harani, for example, so allow enough time.
Meanwhile, talking of walking, Neil was very energetic and went on a walk through the Pedi valley to the beach on Sunday, taking a couple of friends with him. He has loads more images on his camera for one day, but he also took a couple of quick snaps on mine, so I’d have some new photos for the next couple of days. I was at home supervising Sam-the-sander who is working on an old table we’ve been given for the courtyard. It’s looking nicely distressed now and is just waiting for next weekend when he will finish it off.
I was also booking my ferry tickets so I can attend the awards in Athens in three weeks. Two overnight trips on the Patmos; can’t wait. I couldn’t get the Blue Star 1 journey as that boat leaves Piraeus for Symi at 6pm on the evening of the awards, so I decided to stay in Athens for a couple of days and maybe to take a trip to Delphi and come back in style on the Patmos, rather than fly. Which, btw, would have been more expensive, even with me paying to have a two-berth cabin to myself. I opted for that as I’m no longer into random room sharing, not that I ever was.
Well, there has been a lot going on around here over the past few days. On Saturday alone, The Olive Tree raised money for the high school with their Royal Wedding festivities. Meanwhile, the TV was also on outside Lefteris kafeneion, and later there was some important football match (not sure what happened there), and after that, also at Lefteris’, there was ‘Symi Rocks’, live guitar music from a local resident, Steve. Sunday night is when they show the world cinema that The Symi Gallery organises, so it’s still rocking and (the cameras are) rolling in the village.
Paddington wanted to watch the wedding
Meanwhile, in my inner world as it were, I have been invited to the awards ceremony for the London Greek Film Festival which will be held in Athens at the end of June – so after I post this, I will be investigating boats and hotels. This will be to collect the award with Rebecca Hall, the author of ‘Girl Gone Greek’ on which we based the, now, award-winning screenplay. That’s exciting enough, but added to that is a trip to the yUK which, given my feeling towards the current state of the country, I’d usually be avoiding at all costs. However, a great friend from school will be in London at the end of July, and it could be the only time we get to see each other. He lives in New Zealand now but is coming over with his family to see relatives, and we’ve booked a day together in London. I just have to turn up which, from here, is never that easy.
So, I am also looking at boats to Athens Vs flights to Athens, and all that entails, to compare the cost, hotels in London for a couple of nights, and then, as I am there, a trip down to the marsh to see other old school friends, brother, nephew, old stomping ground and perhaps pick up some inspiration for another ‘Saddling’ episode with a couple of days ‘in marsh’, as they say. And while all that’s going on, I’ve also had to update our privacy policy for the site – there will be a page explaining it all soon, but as we don’t collect anyone’s information, it’s not that complicated a task – and while that’s going on, I’m sorting out my private pension and trying to sell books. Ah well. Here are a few more celebratory images from Saturday:
