It’s been good to hear that the village has been busy of an evening of late. At least, it’s good for me who doesn’t have to go back to work at seven-thirty and run around until midnight. September is traditionally what I call Northern European month, and follows the Southern European months of July and August. A great generalisation I know, but that’s just how it feels as the Italian, French and Greek conversations give way to English, Danish and others from further north. The temperature is settling down to around 30° and holding, which means the creepy crawlies are due to return from within walls and under rocks, and the hot water tank needs to go back on for 20 minutes per day, but the windows remain open for now, and the fan is on standby.

You might be wondering about the hot water thing. Well… Our sterna is bust and has been for some years, so we have a black plastic water tank on the bathroom roof. This sits in direct sunlight all day, turning the cold water warm. Warm enough to negate the need to add hot water to it when taking an afternoon shower. So, we turn off the hot tank and, when the cold water gets too hot to use on its own, cool it down with cold water from the hot tank, because the hot water is inside and shaded and therefore cold, while the cold water isn’t. The only time it gets a bit dodgy is if you shower directly after the mains water comes in (cold) and tops up the (warm/cold) tank. In that case, it’s still cold in the cold tank as it hasn’t had time to heat up.

I’m glad we’ve cleared that up. Here’s a photo of cats.

They were chilling out at Pavone the other morning when we called in. And talking of cats, there are some featured in next year’s Symi calendar which you can only find here:

I’m off for the weekend now, so I’ll see you back here bright and earlyish on Monday. Have a good one.

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It’s starting to settle towards autumn, the heat I mean, although yesterday was very muggy. The mosquitoes were out in force at our place, and we had to put the hot water tank on for the first time since the start of June. Only 20 minutes a day to do the washing up and take showers, then after that, that’s it. I have even had to revert to wearing a shirt at times. Outrageous.

Yesterday, I forgot to mention the Secret Garden in my list of places to eat in the village. It’s on the road to Pedi, just before the left turn up to the windmills (as you’re heading downhill towards the sea). There will be live music there on a Friday night, plus food and drink and a gorgeous courtyard garden to be in. I don’t know what it was like there last night, but Neil reports the village square was very busy when he was called back to work at half nine. Here’s a shot of ‘Nelly and the Boss’ that you might enjoy.

That was in the afternoon when a newlywed couple wandered past with their photographer…

You see it all in the village if you hang around long enough.

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Waking up to rain and distant thunder to the north this morning, such a change after nearly four months of heat (bar one night of showers in June, I think). The plants will appreciate it. No wind to speak of, so boats shouldn’t be affected, just distant rumbles, the odd flash over turkey, and all seen through some bleary eyes because the mosquitoes were using me for target practice at five this morning. That wouldn’t normally bother me because I like to get up early, but this morning, they must have caught me off my biorhythm, because even after seven hours sleep, I feel like I need another ten minutes.

Anyway, on with the day and another eatery recommendation. We took godson Sam to Niki’s Kitchen last week because we’d not seen him for a while, and we’d not eaten there before. This is along the lane in Horio, set out in a small ‘square’, you might call it, and it’s proving to be very popular. We were there at 19.20 and about an hour later, it was full, and people were waiting in the lane for a free table. Very nice it was too.

So, that means we now have five very good places to eat in the village: The Kali Strata Restaurant for fine Greek dining, George and Maria’s for traditional taverna food, Taverna Zoi for Greek family dining, Scena for a more bistro/bar style, and Niki’s Kitchen for freestyle Greek dining. As with all of them, you can expect good service, great food, hard-working staff and reasonable prices.

I shall now get on with the rest of my day, which, after posting this blog, will consist of working on the next in my mystery series while I wait for the current work in progress to come back from the layout guys. Hoping to have that one up and running by the weekend, and there will, no doubt, be more news about that before long.

Meanwhile, if you are inclined to start thinking about end-of-year gifts, then you might be interested in the latest Symi calendar, which you can only find here.

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Two things on today’s parish notices. Firstly, I’ve noticed a fair few people asking which boat ends up where so here’s a very quick and rough guide as things stand right now.

Coming from Rhodes to Symi by the Blue Star ferries, or the ANEK on a Monday, or the SAOS Stavros, or the Panagia Skiadeni (Dodecanese Seaways)? You will end up at what’s being called the ‘new commercial port of Symi’, even though it’s not that new anymore. It’s a walk around to the bus stop and taxis and not easy with luggage due to narrow roads. Make pick-up arrangements in advance if you can.

Coming from Rhodes to Symi on either of the Sebeco (ANES) boats and you’ll end up right by the bus stop on the south side of the harbour, and not far from taxis.

Coming from Rhodes to Symi on the Dodecanese Seaways Pride or Express, the King Saron Sea Dreams and/or most day-trip boats, and you will end up on the north side by the Clock tower, with a walk around the harbour to the bus and taxis.

No, I can’t book a taxi for you.

The second thing. No matter where you end up, you must go and have brunch at Pavone at some point. It’s up the steps by the police station (Clock Tower), and the courtyard is then straight ahead. We were taken there yesterday, and it was as fabulous as the time before. (More photos another time.)

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As in, this will be a quick post to start the week, because it was the general anniversary and Neil’s birthday day yesterday, and this morning, we are meeting people at 11.00 to have brunch at Pavone, and it’s already half seven and I’ve not even started work yet.  Lots to catch up on during this week, and a glance back over my photos reveals some interesting things to come including images of Bette Davis, godchildren, and an advert for an Eastman’s Kodak personal camera for 12/6d. there are a couple of Symi shots too, but mostly, this last week, I have enjoyed my time off by working harder than usual. More about all that as the week progresses. Meanwhile, here’s a shot of last night’s revelry in the village square – rock music from next door.

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