All posts by James Collins

Day to day on Symi

Friday to Monday

That was the weekend that was, and it started on Friday when I went down to Yialos and had three fillings done. We have two dentists here, both wonderful, kind and quick. Inquisitive visitors are always surprised at the prices too, particularly when compared to the UK. After that, I called into ACS to collect a package we’d already collected (doh!) and was home by lunchtime.

Sunny Friday

The Saturday highlight was the arrival of a new mattress four months to the day after we’d ordered it from the shop in Rhodes. We knew it wasn’t due to arrive with them until the end of April because it was coming from Athens and had to be made first, so that was okay. Then, it was a case of the delivery company finding the right van, time and people to collect it and bring over here, and that didn’t come together until Friday. So, on Saturday, our friend from around the corner turned up with it on a van, he and his mate brought it into the house, took away the old one, and that was that. We unwrapped it and heaved it onto the bed where it feels six feet higher than the last one.

Apart from that excitement, the only other thing of note over the weekend has been the weird weather. We’re under a dust cloud again, but it’s due to clear tonight, and yesterday was also cloudy, a mix of normal cloud and dust, giving everything a dull grey appearance. There were even a few spots of rain later in the day, and this morning, at 5.00, thunder. It’s now 6.0 and raining a little. The temperature was up at 32° one day and 22° the next. So, it’s now a question of, what next?

For me, another cup of tea and on with my notes about the current work in progress.

Dusty weekend.
Day to day on Symi

Achievements

Massive achievements yesterday: buying and fitting a new shower head… er… Think that was about it… Oh, no, there’s more. Spotted the first large cruise ship of the year hanging around and spending some time in the harbour before leaving again. Organised my proofreader, sent a message to my cover designer, commissioned an illustration from my usual artist, all for the next book. Oh, I also ironed a shirt for the first time in probably about a year. My favourite shirt is heading for the bin because the yoke is coming away from the rest and it’s unrepairable. Shame. It’s one of those that fits well, isn’t too hot and doesn’t need ironing. Hey ho. So, now I am down to two shirts. I did buy some more, but they both shrank in their first wash, so that wasn’t much of an achievement.

Not the biggest cruise ship ever seen here, but it’s a start.

Today, I hope to achieve a few more things: some editing before a checkup at the dentist, collect a package from ACS, play the piano a bit… and that’s it so far on my to-do list. It looks like it’s going to be another hot one. The day before yesterday, the temperature started to rise, and yesterday, on the shaded north-facing wall in our courtyard, the thermometer read 30°. There’s no breeze so far today, and I’m barefoot in shorts and a t-shirt at 6.50 in the morning. Now you have all my news, there’s nothing more to tell you about this week, so I shall get on and see what I can get done this weekend. Have a good one.

A few day-trip boats lined up in the harbour.
Day to day on Symi

Blah Blah

The joy of language. Recently, I ordered some electrolytes from Skroutz.gr, which isn’t a shop itself, as such, but links you to loads of Greek and European online outlets, and often, things are cheaper than you can find on the island. Anyway… these ended up coming from Poland. At least, the writing on the tube is Polish, and they are called elektrolity na kaca. That last word, said aloud, means something scatological in Greek, so that made me laugh.

What didn’t though was scrolling through social media this morning and a group that’s about my home town, and seeing posts saying things like: would eny one want there grass cut… on which someone had left a comment, what about you’re nan, Steve… I couldn’t help thinking ‘I survived that school’, and, ‘We must have had better teachers in them days.’ Mind you, the area just voted in loads of Reform councillors, around 60% or something, so I shouldn’t be surprised. Anyway…

And in a ruin high up in the village…

That’s one of those things I felt compelled to point out. What else do I have for you today? Yesterday: I finished my first draft, Harry played some pieces for his nan and did very well, a friend brought over a heap of decent tea bags for us (thank you, G, we are saved!), our landlord reconfirmed we can stay in the house until it is sold, and then, if wanted, we can have the empty one over the road (that needs emptying, fixing up, and a water supply, but we’ll burn that bridge when we cross it), we had a lovely evening with the family as Nan is visiting, the mattress we ordered around Christmastime should be arriving soon (something we’ve heard since April but it’s a transportation/delivery issue), and I booked a dentist appointment for tomorrow while watching TV with my feet up, because you can do that here. I guess that’s a fair amount to cram into one day. I wonder what today will bring.

Day to day on Symi

Finding a Way…

Yesterday was a varied one spent trying to finish a first draft and dithering about the ending, taking a walk around the lanes to clear the head (unsuccessfully), fiddling with some new technology in the afternoon to bring my book covers to life (that’s weird, see below), and then, rounding it all off with a fabulous evening with friends. The taverna (Georgio’s) was its usual self. You know, you have a meal, you get the bill, then the waiter rushes over and apologises for having to charge you and gives you a discount. All very Greek. There are ever increasing numbers of visitors up in the village which was reasonably busy last night despite the strong wind (not mine) which has all but gone this morning.

My walk was a standard one for me, up to the top and down the road. Or, up to almost the top, as I came out at Lavinia Studios as was, which is where I stayed when I first came in 96, and then, I walked back down via the road as per usual. Nothing very special to report from that other than it’s a pleasant walk, once you’ve found your way up to the top. If in doubt, keep climbing, because you will reach the top of somewhere at some point. It’s like when people say they fear getting lost in the lanes and not being able to get back down. Just head downhill. You will eventually end up at the sea somewhere. Best do it via a path or road, but otherwise, just be careful.

Everyone’s welcome

And as for today? I have something to collect from the courier, but that can wait until tomorrow as I also have piano today. I have this draft to finish, and I reckon I am only a few paragraphs away. Then, I can start writing it all again. It’s the eight book in a series, and here’s what I was experimenting with yesterday, the cover of the first book in that series. I’ll leave you to marvel, or not, at the wonders of modern technology. (There’s no sound.)

Click here for the book

Day to day on Symi

On the Move

Things are on the move again, by which I mean, I heard that some of the taxi boats have started going out, but to where and when, I can’t tell you. Late morning, I believe. ‘Late’ for me being ten or eleven. There’s a new bus timetable up too, though how ‘new’ I can’t say. I had a look the other day and, as far as I remember, there isn’t one at two or three. Today, the Poseidon is doing its annual free run Seskli. Anyone can go for free as long as you help clear up the beach/island after the winter. And most important, the train is running.

Our version of that event in Tiananmen Square in 1989.

We still have the taxis of course, and the hire places are open so you can get yourself out and about if you want to, and for most, the steps and paths are still options. In other alleged news, the senior school leavers have started their exams which means, in a couple of weeks, 17- and 18-year-olds will be free of the school system forever and off to college or work or whatever. I know of several 15- to 17-year-olds who have already started their seasonal jobs even though they are still at school, so they’re doing both right now, but that’s how it goes. When I was that age, I was more interested in my music, shows and a job at the local rep theatre than I was at schoolwork, hence the wonderful exam results. (Not.)

And, as for the weather, it’s getting there. Neil took this wintry shot of the harbour yesterday, but it was actually very warm, and looks like it’s going to be again, as long as the wind stays calm. Soon, I am told, it will be in the 30s, so not long now before everyone starts staying, ‘It’s hot, isn’t it.’