Building work, KEP, Driving license

It’s hard to believe it’s nearly the end of January already, the month seems to have passed quickly and under storm clouds, hail, rain and thunder, but we’re getting on with things here on Symi. The ruin next door has had the trees and debris removed. I’m not sure if that’s it or if there will be rebuilding work taking place. We’ll have to wait and see, but if it is going to be rebuilt, it’s going to make a small house with a big view, and we’ll have a view of workmen and concrete mixers, mules removing stones and bags and everything else that goes with a Sumi building site. Any disturbance will only be during the day, so it’s not a problem, and hopefully, whatever they do, it will have been in time to prevent the stone wall from being pushed over by tree roots and earth.

Out in the village, when I was last there a few days ago (I’m really into a  ‘stuck in the house’ mood right now), the fruit boutique has closed, the new butcher is doing well, the other shops are all open and running, and everything is ticking over nicely. With calmer seas, the boats have been coming and going on schedule which is handy as we’re thinking of going to Rhodes on Friday for a couple of days. One of the reasons for this is to pick up my translation of my yUK driving licence, which I need to change my yUK one to a geek one. I also needed some other things which I now have, so next week, I should be able to pay the tax and fee and drop everything into the KEP office who will, I believe, take it from there. It will be handy to have, not that I aim to be driving, but for ID and proof of address etc. I haven’t driven a car since 2005 and don’t miss having one at all.

There has been a lot of chatter about what will happen after the panto of Brexit enters Act Two (if it does and whatever that hideous act will be; deal or no deal, Noel Edmonds or Status Quo). The bottom line is, as far as I know, Greece has not yet said what the status of those brits already here will be. The best advice so far is to make sure you are registered, something you should have done after three months of living here no matter when you moved here, and that your paperwork is up to date. That’s all I have to say on that matter except, if in doubt, as the KEP office and they will help you if they can.

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Sunday, Sunday

Sunday was another pleasant day. An early start, as usual, house-pottering and writing in the morning, and a quiz in the afternoon. We gathered at the Sunrise café for a fortnightly quizword and general knowledge session. All very informal and fun and run by Peter who puts up with our asides and attempts at jokes. I took today’s photos there, only a couple as I don’t like to be intrusive, and they are from my phone, hence the odd look. Again, I don’t like to wander about with a large camera taking photos of people going about their daily business, it’s too invasive, I feel. So, that’s all I have today.

Except to add that a thunderstorm rolled across the island in the afternoon and I have no idea what name they gave this one and, frankly, I don’t care. This naming of bad weather winds me up (or winds me up if you want to look for a play of words which isn’t really there). All rain had stopped as we headed home, passing Georgio’s where a wedding party were having their feast. It was sad that the afternoon was so wet, but I hope they didn’t get too damp during the processions and festivities. It was good to see the taverna doing well, especially after Noufris saying that it often wasn’t worth him preparing meals by day due to lack of winter customers and often has to throw away more than he sells. I guess that’s how it goes these days; it used to be much busier during the winter months, but people either don’t have the spare funds or are not here. Lets’ hope it all picks up again soon.

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Boxes, Bits and Bedlam

That was something of a busy weekend. There was a break in the weather long enough for us to take delivery of some Ikea bits and pieces which arrived outside the Olive Tree on Friday afternoon. Here’s a big thank you to Yiannis, Allen and Chris who saw us with the boxes and leapt in to help carry them up to the house. There, Neil and I set about unpacking, counting screws and odd shaped things and following the plans as we put together two desks and a cabinet. The carpet for Neil’s office also arrived (perfect timing), so that was in place. A few hours later and my work station was set up, as was half of his desk but, unfortunately, they had sent the wrong drawers, so we need to sort that out. Very odd for Ikea to get parts wrong, especially when they were mixed in with other correct parts in the same box. I gave up on trying to figure it out, and we popped to Lefteris’ for a glass of wine, before heading to the taverna for dinner.

Wherein lies another winter’s tale. Noufris was very apologetic because he hadn’t been cooking and had nothing to offer us. His usual punters were there, snacking on whatever was lying around and drinking wine, playing cards and chatting, and we were invited to stay for a drink and share some liver as a mezethe. We talked about the winter and how quiet the village is, the weather, and hopes for the summer and before you know it, another jug of wine turns up with some bread but not, as it turned out, with any kind of bill or payment required. All very welcome as just about every part of me was aching by now; it’s alarming what positions one has to get into when putting together a desk.

The next day, Saturday, I was awake up 4.30 having been dreaming about bolts and bits of desks that wouldn’t go together and got back to work. I was able to finish the desk apart from the two drawers, and put together a new cabinet so that by seven, it was all more or less done and we were able, finally, to put things in the right place. The only thing missing from my study now is the curtain (on its way) and the Chesterfield captain’s chair I have ordered, and which will be made to my specs. The delivery for this was meant to cost the same as the chair, so I wasn’t going to bother, but some friends are shipping things to in March/April, and it’s being delivered to them in the yUK and will arrive with their things in a few months. Meanwhile, I have a dining chair to use at the writing desk, and at the kneel-up stool/chair at the computer table, so we’re nearly there.

Godson #1 and his mum came for Saturday lunch/dinner, and we had a great time hanging out at home, playing the piano, watching films, being slightly mad and generally catching up on all manner of things. It’s Sunday now, there’s thunder rolling around, and we’re supposed to be going to a quiz this afternoon. Meanwhile (and somehow among all the above) I finished off a 100,000 word first draft of a novel which Peter printed for me so I can see it in print (always reads differently when on paper), so there’s another thank you, to him for seeing to that at such a reasonable price and so quickly. All in all, a successful weekend.

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Symi Saturday Photos

Some random Symi photos for you today.Some were taken earlier in the year, two were taken yesterday when we woke up to mist. Seems we’re having all kinds of weather this week; rain, storm, hail, wind, a little sun and now fog. We’ve also had a few earth tremors because of some earthquakes off Rhodes, nothing major and no injuries that I’ve heard of. It’s that time of year.

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Stormy Symi

More brighter-day Symi winter photos today as an antidote to the weather. Besides, I’m not going out in this, not even to snap the courtyard, let alone go up on the roof for my usual lazy-shot snaps. I’d end up in the neighbour’s garden.

It’s yesterday morning as I write. I was up early so I have been able to clear my desk of things that need to be done and, after preparing this, can get back to a book. So far, I’ve been up on the bathroom roof to plug the storeroom door with towels to stop the drips in the kitchen (rain gets blown under the door in certain conditions and drips through the floorboards). I’ve also put other old towels down where it blows in under the front doors. The shutters and rooves are holding, and the wind is meant to die down later today but will be back tomorrow, apparently. The schools are closed so children don’t get blown away on their way to them, and although the Blue Star came in on Wednesday, I doubt anyone will be delivering furniture on a day like this.

Thomas a Basket is staying home today too. Home for him being on top of the laundry basket where I have put an old throw to cover the washing so he doesn’t dribble on it, as is his wont, and he looks very comfortable. He’s nothing to do with us, just a homeless tom who has found shelter in our lean-to. He did try sneaking into the kitchen the other day attracted by the smell of cat biscuits we have for the strays, but I raised a pointed finger towards the front door, and he skulked off, muttering under his whiskers. He can go up the road to the food bank like all the other strays and while he is there, keep quiet about the free lodging he currently enjoys; we don’t want to encourage the entire tribe.

Thunder has now added to the cacophony going on outside, so I may have to unplug everything, and I am hoping we don’t have a power cut. I’m expecting a phone call from my investment/pension people later, I just hope I can hear them.

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