As I said the other day, I may go a bit ‘dark’ on the blog over the next week. I’ve managed a rather poor showing of photos today, a couple snapped in Yialos yesterday and some others from the files. It’s 5.30 and I have at least five hours of work ahead before I can return to the family visit, so I am being very quick about this today.
A few shots of Pedi today, which is where we went yesterday for lunch. We went down to have a quick look at the Pedi Beach Hotel as a possible holiday venue for next year – not for me, you understand, though from what I’ve seen of it, it would make a lovely place for a week away from the hustle and bustle of the village. We ended up having lunch at Katsaras, the taverna on the jetty. It was cool out there, no fans just the sea breeze which was a welcome relief after the heat of the road and the beach. Very nice it was too. This morning, we’re heading down to Yialos to meet the nephews off the boat. Before that, I’ve some work to do, the house to prepare (making beds and so on) and we need to get some shopping in, something I meant to do yesterday, but life got in the way. Ah well. Here are the photos for this morning.
Over the weekend we spent some time at Taxiarchis apartments, so today’s photos were taken there. This place is on the edge of the village at the top of the Pedi valley, not far from the bus stop and shops, and set back off the road with wonderful rural views. Rooms here can be booked privately, through booking.com and it is also used by some holiday companies for package holidays, such as you find with Olympic Holidays. It’s also very popular, so you need to book early. You can find the Taxiarchis website here.
Also over the weekend, I received some very pleasant compliments about this blog. It’s always good to hear that people enjoy it, look at it most days, use it to get a ‘Symi fix’ especially over the winter, and it’s always pleasantly embarrassing to have readers track me down and say how much they like it. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to do that, everyone. As regular readers know, there are some days when I don’t have much to talk about, some where I just put up photos, other days when I witter on about what I am writing and talk about other subjects that don’t have anything much to do with Symi. So, thank you for sticking with it through those times too; it is a bit of a mix of a blog between what I hear is happening on the island and what I am up to in my own little writing world.
I’ve also been told that I should charge for the blog, something I won’t do – far too complicated and unnecessary. To this, I always say that if you want to help keep the blog going, then the way to do it is through the books – over there in the right column >>. Either by buying a copy of one or more of them, or publicising them on your social media pages, sharing links with anyone you know who might be interested and generally putting the word around. If you want to see all of my titles (not all of which are Symi themed) then you can check them out at my author page on Amazon: James Collins. That’s the .com version, but you can find it on .co.uk and in other countries too.
The Symi books are: Symi 85600, Carry on up the Kali Strata, Village View and Symi, Stuff & Nonsense; plus, Jason and the Sargonauts is set on Symi, and The Judas Inheritance is also set on an island very similar (it’s here, actually, but the island isn’t named as such in the book). The Saddling, The Witchling and The Eastling (hopefully out in time for Christmas) are my mystery/thriller series set on the Romney Marshes, and Remotely and Honestly (a novella) are my satire/comedies. You’ll see all the descriptions and blurbs, links and info from the book’s own page when you click through.
Anyway… Back to home and here we are, Sunday morning and, by the looks of it, about to go into a busy week for arrivals, particularly from the UK and northern Europe. I know of several faithfully returning visitors due to arrive this week, nephews included, it’s Neil’s birthday at the weekend, an anniversary too and there are a few functions planned. I’ll try and get more photos – my new smartphone is very helpful for taking snaps that are decent enough quality for the blog. If you want really decent photos to see you through next year, take a look at Neil’s Symi calendar 2019, now on sale at Lulu.com – and only there.
Kalo mina. Here are a few random photos from the files to keep you Symi-dreaming over the weekend. The weather is perfect, the tours and trips are all running, though I am not sure about the Sebeco boat yet, and the nephews are booked on it on Tuesday. Will keep an eye and an ear out for news on that. Have a good weekend.
I took the bus down from the village with Mother yesterday, receiving a cheery welcome from Thanasis as always. In Yialos, he gave me a leaflet advertising a new set of trips organised by Lakis Travel. I’d not heard of these before so I thought I’d scan the leaflet so you can also share it. The boat, the Maria, is running day trips seven days per week and taking groups of people to some of the more inaccessible bays around Symi; Sarpes Island, St Sidoros and Taviri, for example. The trips also take in Str Emilianos, Nanou, St George and other places according to the daily itinerary, plus it’s available for private parties, weddings and so on. Here’s the front cover (sorry about the fold):
If you’re not sure where Lakis travel is, it’s on the south side of the harbour, that’s the same side as the bus stop and taxis, along the waterfront. There’s a sign outside, so you can’t miss it. I’m not sure of the prices of these trips yet, but the flyer tells me they run from 10.30 to 17.00 each day. You can always phone to enquire: +30 6944 899 625 for the mobile, and the landline at the office is +30 22460 71695.
Here’s wishing Lakis, Thanasis and the team all the best with this new venture.
There are other boat trips, and other travel agencies arranging all kinds of excursions too. There are many trips on offer on Symi thanks to Symi Tours, Panormitis Travel, the taxi boats, the Poseidon, Diagoras… Just walk around Yialos, and you will see the boats and agencies offering a wealth of trips and excursions.