First of all: Hello to…. you who emailed me yesterday – the nice lady whose name appears in the top banner occasionally. I want to say Anne, but I only saw the email for a second then accidentally hit the wrong button and it vanished, I didn’t download it so I can’t reply. Sorry! But thank you and please resend! (How embarrassing.)

Here is your helping of Saturday Symi photos, though only the last few are Symi because of my journey back from Tilos on Friday morning.

That went smoothly enough. The boat was only about one hour late. It was a very grey and slightly hazy morning at sea, and very calm. Coming in to Symi we could see a line of life jackets left abandoned on the rocks, no sign of the refugees until we came closer to the police station. These are, I guess, a new lot of arrivals and the previous group would have gone up to Athens on the Wednesday boat; if there had been any new arrivals since I’ve been away. It looks like Greece is getting more refugees arriving these days than tourists.

Still, it was good to be back. I arrived just as Neil’s aerobics session was finishing so he met me in Yialos and we took a taxi up. My main rucksack with clothes etc. was light, but the laptop and books one was a bit too much for the steps. A quick call into the Olive Tree in case Neil’s order of plants arrived there – he thought he saw them in the back of a car on the way up, but they’re not here yet. Must have been another order – and then home.

I’ve just had a quick look at the weather forecast and it seems we’re heading for thunderstorm on Sunday and Monday, but that’s just the weather forecast; things change. And, apart from that, I can’t think of anything else to tell you, so I’ll let you go and view these last few images. I’ll be back on Monday.

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So, last afternoon on Tilos, a few more thousand words down (4,000 and a few more to go after this), a walk taken to the end of the bay and back, lunch had, a free beer up on the roof had, packaging half done, bill to sort later and boat due tomorrow morning at 06.00. I shall set my alarm for 5.30 wake up, see where the boat is and amble down to the harbour which is all of, oh, 90 seconds away. Should be home around 08.00, or just after, depending on how the boat gets on coming down.

I came here to get some writing done away from hustle and bustle of Symi, and that’s exactly what I have done. My aim was to start on Sunday and write 6,000 words per day for five days, i.e. 30,000 words, about a third of a book the length of ‘the Judas Inheritance.’ I have actually managed just over 30,000 with a few more hopefully popping out as soon as I’ve written this. More importantly thought, I’ve gone through the middle section of the story, almost, and about three chapters away from the last act; the climax of the piece which should be about another 20 – 30k words or so.

This is all first draft stuff of course, but it’s better to have it down than have it in the head and I can do lots more work on it at a later date.

While being here I have also seen some of the island, though not as much if I were not working. I haven’t, for example, managed to get to the Megalo Xorio and the miniature elephants. But I have done some walking and have seen some sites, and sights. I’ve also been to a few tavernas and a list might be in order, for anyone else who is thinking of coming this way – and also as a bit of free publicity for the places themselves.

I stayed at Apollo Studios, where Andreas and Irina look after you in spectacular fashion; from free trips to collect spring water to towel art and a daily room clean. There are some shots from the roof terrace where I had me beer (a gift) while the room was being done this morning.

I’ve also eaten at Nicos Taverna, daily specials, great hostess Maria, good prices. At Eleni Taverna with the view over the sea, the Oasis when I fancied a change and some pasta and again, right by the sea, the kafeneion/Snak-bar ‘Michaelis’ which is open all day (8 – 23) and where you can have a full lunch or just a glass, and also at Armenon again on the seafront where we had dinner on Wednesday night. I’ve mainly used two bars in the main square and it’s very easy to fall into a rhythm there. Lunchtime beer and people-watch where, after your first day, your order arrives at the table around the same time as you do, and then at Merkouris’ bar in the evening, ditto, which stays open until the last people leave – and I was never the last people. Person.

There are plenty of other places to eat, drink and chill out of course, and had I been staying longer I may well have tried them all, were that possible. I would say that the prices are good, and I have never paid more than, say, €20.00 for a starter, main and jug of wine. In fact, it was more like €17.50, depending on what you have or course, and I tend not to have fish, which can be more expensive. But things like pork in red wine gravy with mashed potatoes (a highlight), and then today’s lunch which was simply an ouzo with water and a plate of gigantes and bread, for under €8.00, well, you can’t go wrong.

So, my little trip has been something of a success. I only need to make sure I don’t miss the boat in the morning, but there are worse places to get caught if I do, and plenty of places to stay. I do wonder how anyone keeps going when I see so many empty seats, but the season, I hope, hasn’t yet completely kicked in and things should, I hope again, pick up.

Any downsides? Well, only the internet connection which for the past few days has been racing along at a local rate of 0.3 Mbps and which sometimes does not work at all, but which has reached a top whack of 1.8 Mbps (home on Symi we get 4.00 Mbps).

But, more importantly, highlights of the trip? Writing a lot of first draft stuff on the new book. Learning that Kerry and Steve have rescued the sight of a stray cat which had a bad eye (piece of prickly grass seed stuck in there, got it out, eye now opening and already looking better), the pork and mash event, walking in the deserted village (though obviously not deserted once I was there), watching the daily fishing activity of boat in, unload, and sell. Listening to the return visitors around me in the square who come back to revisit their Greek friends and without whom, I suspect, the island wouldn’t be alive. And finally, the couple of sunrises I was disciplined enough to get up for. I will leave you with my fav shot of just such an event. Oh, and there should be a blog on Saturday, assuming I make it home and get my act into gear!

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Usual. Routine: up, work (4,000 words yesterday morning) breakfast, walk, was going to do more words but somehow time slipped away, but I was over target and way over target all round, have managed 25,000 words since Saturday and I kind of felt like having an afternoon away from it. So, after a lunch by the sea…

I went for a walk. And once again I forgot to change my shoes so there I am tramping along the main road, uphill, quite happily, when I see the sign for Micro Horio which is where I was heading. And that took me off piste as it were. Then I realised I only had my sandals on.

So, I went carefully along the track, which is part path, part rocks, part prickly things, and started to work my way around the hillside. Every now and then you come across an abandoned house or agricultural building and eventually you can start to see the old, mostly abandoned, village. There are a couple of done-up houses there, and a bar that does a party on a Saturday night I’m told (perhaps other times as well), but I couldn’t actually get that far. Not safely.

I did wander around some terraces, stamping a lot in case of snakes (didn’t see any), and then occasionally came across an old threshing circle, or a corn grinder (I am guessing), and then holes in the ground which must have been for storage. It’s all very fascinating and a little sad, and next time I shall wear my walking boots and do the thing properly. When out on the drive the other day I was sure I’d seen a road heading up to the top or near, and there probably is, which is why I didn’t think I’d be going across country. Anyway, done now, and I was back in 90 minutes, a bit sweaty but feeling like I’d had some decent time away from the keyboard.

I didn’t see much wildlife I have to say, a few thistles, some goats, trees of course, and some bright moss, but not a lot else. Lots of crows, a few sparrows, some seagulls, and cats, and that’s about it. I’ve not seen any dog-do since being here (unlike some other places I could mention), no rubbish in the streets, and everyone seems very happy to see you. Well, to see me. I am sure they would be equally as happy to see you too.

I have made a small donation to the Tilos cat protection programme thingy; there’s a book swap up the road, a shelf unit with a combination safe money box on it where you can drop in whatever coins or notes you want. Leave your books on the top shelf, take another to read and away you go. The books get recycled, the stray cats get fed and de-wormed and you get to see what other people bring on holiday to read. I picked up that James Herbert the other day but have only read one chapter, so I might leave that behind, and I was tempted by a book about the Tudor times and just after, but it was pretty dense and rather like a textbook, which is exactly what it was actually, so I didn’t bother.

And on the way back from my walk I thought I might have a go at writing a few short stories, once I’ve got the first draft of ‘Straight Swap’ out of the way and put aside to fester for a while. But then I realised I knew nothing about writing short stories so may have to see if there are any books on the subject at my Kindle store. That’s something for later when I have posted this and cooled down a little. I hope you enjoy the photos.

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I’ve done too much typing today so I really am not going to stay long. Today’s target was 6,000 words in three batches of 2k, and I managed 8,000 in two batches of 4,000. It’s not the typing that takes the time as I can type at around 80 words per minute. It’s going back and having to correct 98% of those 80 that slows me down.

So, what I thought I would do is put up a series of photos taken this morning. I had a reasonably early night last night as the alarm was set of 06.00 a.m. After a great meal (pork in red wine sauce served with mashed potato, I mean, they must have known I was coming) I headed straight home, finished off reading Lonely House and then hit the sack. (They don’t give you sheets here.) (Only joking.)

This morning involved: an early walk along the beach at sunrise, several hours work, and then, when my room was due to be ‘done’ I went to the square, via a sit at the harbour watching the fishermen bring in the catch.

The square is wonderful here and it’s so nice to hear so many people meeting old friends, both Greek and English and Danish (?) well, other nationalities. Many people have been coming here year after year, as they do on Symi, and it’s easy to see why. I didn’t bother trying to order anything different; my beer arrived just after I’d sat down even though it was only 11.00 and I was making myself an offer on a coffee.

There I met K&S just arrived from Halki and on their way to Symi via Tilos, so I sat and had a pre-lunch drink with them. Then another, and then pulled myself away from the abyss of one too many before lunch and got me to a munchery; actually to my apartment and beans on toast, followed by a siesta, shower and the next 4,000 words. Mashed potato? Mashed keyboard more like.

And here I am writing this and starting to feel hungry. So I’ll act like a cattle ranger and put this post up, then check for messages, sniff my two shirts to see which one is the least offensive to wear out, and then head out to meet K&S for dinner. And, after bringing my 1^st draft total so far to nigh on 80,000 words, I kind of feel I deserve it.

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I have no great news for you this Monday afternoon, around 6 pm as I write, so will mainly rely on pictures to speak 1,000 words particularly as I have just finished writing 6,500 of the little bleeders in the first draft of ‘Straight Swap’ (today’s target reached), and the total now stands at 70,000 and a bit. My wrist is aching a little as the kitchen table is slightly too high for the keyboard.

I’ve just walked off the last bout of writing with a stroll towards Lethra. I was going to go all the way but there was a sign up saying I couldn’t go further unless I went commando and, as I was wearing M&S underwear, I though I better not risk it.

I also had the wrong shoes on, which is the real reason I didn’t venture onto the currently dangerous foot path. I did some more wandering up the nearby hill path instead and, on the way down met a mother with her baby strapped into a papoose thing on her front. ‘Is this the way to Lethra?’ she asked. ‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘But you’re advised not to go as there’s been a rock fall and it’s dangerous.’ ‘Okay,’ she said and then headed towards the gate where I saw her start to open it. I hope she was okay.

The rest of my day so far has been filled with writing, walking and eating. I had a lunch down by the sea, and, as far as I could see, was the only person dining out today. Nice view though.

Last night I had a meal at another place overlooking the harbour and sea, and this was quite popular. Half way through dinner they changed the lighting to deter some flying beetle bugs that had landed everywhere; not just at this place, but everywhere; up your trouser leg, in your wine, in your hair, up the street. I just brushed them off and carried on enjoying the view. Until someone came across to me in great jubilation and said, ‘Look James Collins, that sign doesn’t say ‘Ilidi Rock’ any more, some of the ‘R’ is missing, it looks like Iridi Cock.’ And it did. It was a shame my camera couldn’t reach that far, and it’s a shame the chap didn’t leave his name. I have no idea… Maybe I should have? Perhaps he reads this. Anyway, thanks mate, it was a gas.

After dinner I returned home and carried on reading through ‘Lonely House’ and getting quite hooked, though I say so myself. A few minor things to correct – despite four proof readers! But nothing that would harm the story if they were left in, which they won’t be.

And toady it’s been a case of typing and thinking, walking and thinking, eating and thinking I’m eating too much. No, I’ve only had yoghurt and salad today, not together of course, and a mild bout of spaghetti. Dinner, though, may be another matter.

(And I wasn’t referring to the cats!) So, leaving you now as I head to the balcony to read some more LH and then get ready for dinner. After last night’s steak in pepper sauce (treat or what? €10.00) I think fibre is called for.

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