A few bits and pieces

Just catching up on my general chatter. We popped down to Yialos yesterday to collect some things from the post office, get some money from the bank and call into the surgery to check something out. The post office is around the back of Yialos, in the streets behind, should you ever need it. It’s behind the International Taverna, not far from Taxas supermarket, or you can find it from the left-hand side of the back of the town square, turning left at Christalo, the household shop.

There are two banks and about five cash machines on Symi now. Actually, I think it’s six as there’s one in Harani on the way to Nos beach. There’s another by the pharmacy on the south side of the harbour, one at Smartphone by Meraklis taverna, another just around the corner opposite Pandora and St John’s church, one at the National bank and one at Alpha bank – there may be more popping up that I’ve not noticed. At busy times, like last week, they can run out of cash, and yesterday the one I used was only giving out twenties (which I prefer), and then, only up to a certain amount. They do get refilled regularly, but at busy times, there’s not a lot they can do if demand is high and it’s not refill day. You can always withdraw money from any account by going into one of the two banks with your passport and details.

And as for the surgery, it runs on a ‘wait your turn’ system, so no appointment is necessary, but you must be prepared to wait your turn. I was lucky yesterday and only had to wait a couple of minutes. The doctors speak English if you need them to, and there are nurses there in support plus a receptionist. The surgery is, again, around the back, you might say. Beside St John’s church on the left, and it’s open in the morning and evening every day apart from Sundays – not sure about Saturday evening. There are also two pharmacies; one by the bridge and one on the south side towards the taxi rank.

I just thought I’d mention those places (with non-related photos to brighten the page) as that’s where I was yesterday, and it made a change from talking about bars and tavernas, walks and sunrises all the time.

No title

I’ve not been able to get out for my morning walk this past couple of days thanks to a bad throat, but that seems to be getting better, slowly, so I’ll aim for another early morning wander up the mountain perhaps tomorrow. Being stuck at home with a book to read is not such a bad thing, but I do miss the morning wander, even if it produces only the same old photos. I am heading down to Yialos later to do the necessary things – bank, post office etc., – and that can be my exercise walk for today, especially the coming back up the steps part.

I’ve not really had my mind into anything of late. I’ve been trying to start on new book ideas, trying to think of blog ideas, but nothing much is firing the inspiration, maybe due to the bad throat, or maybe due to generally running out of things to say. I’m not an ‘out and about’ person much these days, so don’t know all the ins and outs of what’s going on around me, which would make for more interesting blog posts. All I can really tell you about is what I see around the house and from the window which is mainly, boats, sea and weather, while around the house it’s mainly maintenance issues and the desk. But I am going to Rhodes on Friday to see the optician so that could make for a thrilling read for you one day.

So, due to lack of inspiration, I’ll leave you alone to get on with your day while I get on with mine.

Windy, walks and a bit wobbly

It was a bit windy over the weekend. The shutters were rattling, we had to close windows to keep out an invasion of dead leaves from the vine and elsewhere, and the temperature dropped, especially in the early mornings. I was laid low by some throat/head bug on Sunday and today, Monday morning, doesn’t feel much better – a bit dizzy and not quite coordinated, but hopefully that will pass in a day or so. Apart from that, it was a quiet weekend for me.

I went for a walk on Saturday up to the monastery and back. The moon had just gone off from full, it was quiet if a little breezy in places and there were few people on the roads. I was passed by a couple of runners jogging up the hill as I was walking. To think, I used to do that a few years ago. I wouldn’t dare now even though my knees are now fully insured under my health insurance plan. A medium-speed walk up and down is fine for me, though I shan’t be doing it today. The bug has left me with sudden head rushes as if I am constantly standing up too fast, you know the feeling. But, while I am taking it easy, I shall be reading a biography of Bram Stoker, keeping an eye on the comings and goings in the harbour below, and thinking what to write next. I’m on a break from the desk at the moment, a hangover from the recent family visit. I’m still dithering between another Saddling story to finish that series, or another Clearwater to continue that one, but after two years of intensive writing, I think a small holiday is in order. It will allow more time for ideas to stack up, I hope.

And so, the week ahead and nothing planned (always nice), apart from godson’s birthday and a trip to Rhodes to see the optician. Apart from those events, I shall be taking it easy. I hope.

Symi Saturday Photos

And now, being almost back to the usual routine, here is a selection of recent photos in the usual Saturday tradition.

Back and catching up

And here I am again back with the usual blog. We’ve had a great week off, though everyone was worn out by the end of it what with sun, swimming and feeding more or less nonstop for six days. A lot has happened during that time; a speedboat fire (no injuries), important church festivals, the Symi Festival events in the main square and elsewhere, and the harbour being packed on most nights. That’s without the cruise ship that’s been coming in and the five or six boats per day with day-trippers. August is a busy, hot month over here on Symi, which is, I hope, good news for all the business who only have a limited time to make their annual turnover. Below are a few photos to give you a few highlights, and I’ll be back with more of the same from now on, keeping up the six-days per week schedule until I go to Athens in September.