Symi Saturday Photos
As it’s the weekend, here are a few photos taken in the last couple of day. As you can see, there are still plenty of day trippers visiting the island, the weather is still good and the sea is still calm.
Category Archives: Day to day on Symi
Stars and sticks
Stars and sticks
A few random photos today taken a couple of months ago. When I sit on the balcony, and the sun passes behind the house, I am aware that the air has definitely chilled down a little. Not too much, we’re not into the fully-clothed, blanket-wearing season yet, but you can tall that there’s a difference.
For some reason, on Wednesday, I woke up early, and I am talking five in the morning. Fully awake, I went onto the balcony to check the stars. They were still there. The night was so clear I could see some of the Milky Way, a rare event from that position due to the light spill from the harbour. I’d not noticed that Plough in that position for a while, upside-down you might say, appearing as a question mark. Behind me, if I leant precariously over the railing I could see the Seven Sisters and other constellations I don’t usually get to see, and I thought that perhaps I should get up early on more occasions and take in the view. Perhaps walk up to the hills and around the corner to avoid the manmade light and see the stars in all their glory. Then I decided against it. The last time I did that, only a couple of weeks ago, was at Agia Marina when I left the birthday party we were attending and walked up the steps to the other side of the small island. Here, there is very little light pollution, and I was just marvelling at the magnificence of the Milky Way when I heard Neil fall off a wall and damage his bad foot, again.
No lasting damage was done, just a bad sprain, but he did need a walking stick for a while. I found him one at the ‘Rhodes shop’ as I call it, down in Yialos near Elpida’s café. This shop sells unusual tourist equipment, like suits of armour, models of knights, long knives that would never be allowed anywhere near a charter flight, and other classy trinkets. The most useful thing I found was the walking stick collection. Declining the Gandalf model (they’d sold out, actually) and the cobra’s head top, I went for a brass handled, sturdy affair and presented that to Neil.
A few days later and he was off to walk to Pedi with his son. Walking shoes, shorts, a canvas bag over his shoulder, Trilby hat and cane, he looked like he was off up the Matterhorn in 1932. Very dapper.
Anyway, all that came from nowhere and that’s where I am off to now; nowhere in particular. I have a few more sections of ‘Symi, Stuff & Nonsense’ to check through before making a few edits, and I want that job done by the end of the week. After that, I must concentrate on a screenplay, so I’m off to get on now. See you tomorrow.
Boats and plants
Boats and plants
Boats and plants today; a couple of random shots from home. The big thing by the front door has finally decided to flower, and the chilly plant is doing much better now that it is out of the sun and facing north. The green thing that takes over everything has also started to come along, and the ‘Jenni’ (because it was given to us by Jenni) looks better than it has done all year. I suspect it’s a case of less heat and the fact that we finally got around to feeding the poor things a couple of months ago.
It looks like a good time of year for sailing. There have been many boats out there with their sails up, enjoying the wind. Plenty of others with their sails down too, now that’s my kind of sailing – using an engine. Saves all that running around and being butch. Pulling on ropes and being slapped in the head by a boom. But then I am not a sailor.
Fishing boats continue to go out all year round, as it is, after all, people’s livelihoods. I was up before the dawn today and could see lights of fishing boats out over towards Nimos, and coming in from between Nimos and Symi. Later in the morning they return and sell their wares in the fish market in the harbour, or to the new fishmonger by the bridge. Some sell them along the quayside as well, and up in the village, but you need to be out and about early to get the best of the catch.
The weather is back
The weather is back
As the old postcard used to say, we get some kind of weather here every day. Today (Monday) it’s the sun and very little wind, making it perfect weather for walking, sitting in the courtyard and, no doubt, swimming, for those who go in for that kind of thing. There are taxi boats still going out, the day trips and tours too, and with quite a few northern European visitors on the island, the bars and tavernas are still busy.
‘The 13th‘ was shown again on Sunday night, there have been live music sessions in various tavernas and bars, and the village is still active and buzzing. Now might be a good time for a last minute getaway before the winter kicks in. Autumn is a very pleasant time on Symi if you don’t like things too hot, but warm enough.
And I have very little other news to impart today. Well, hardly any; I spent most of the weekend asleep, catching up on rest after the busy month before. I have now found time to work on ‘Symi, Stuff & Nonsense’ and it’s coming along. My deadline for completing the text is early October, and we’re still on course for publication sometime in November. More news to follow.
Meanwhile, I am pleased to say that ‘The Saddling’ has been climbing up the rankings on Amazon and has received a few more reviews. It’s the best-selling title of mine this year, outdoing even ‘Symi 85600’, although that title is the best seller to date – mainly because it’s been around for so long. Follow the links if you’ve not yet read the titles, or click to my author page for my full list. There, plug over, now it’s back to working on the next one.
Symi film news
Symi film news
I am having a very quiet Sunday at home doing nothing, apart from making lunch and posting a quick blog. This is a recovery day after all the excitement of the past few weeks, and three wonderful party evenings in a row. The strong wind has calmed and today is warm again. On Saturday night, I was out in long trousers and a cardigan, which drew some looks from visitors in their shorts and t-shirts. After a long hot summer, you tend to feel the cooler temperatures more keenly.
Here’s a piece of news about films. The Symi International Film festival went well, from what I have been told; I was unable to get there due to being away and then already invited to other engagements. While it was on, we received news that ‘The 13th‘ had been accepted to the 8th International Film Festival of Peloponnesus “Bridges” – Corinth 12-18/10/17, Nafplio, 19-22/10/17. The thing is, it won’t be screened unless a member of cast or crew is present. It’s still in the running for awards there but not for screening. So, if any of the backers want to be a part of the festival, this is your chance. I shan’t be able to attend, but anyone who backed the film, and is, therefore, a part of the ‘crew’, can. You would have to make your own way there and finance the trip, but if you happen to be in Greece and that area, you only need to be there for a day or two, not for the whole thing. There are some details taken from their email below, and if anything takes your interest, please email me. (Email at the bottom of these pages.)
This year we received over 500 submissions from 65 countries and we are thrilled to recognize your outstanding efforts by accepting your film. Attached are your Official Selection Laurels. As an official selection, your film is eligible to be screened over the period of October 12-18th in the Flisvos Cineplex in Corinth. Corinth is accessible from Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport by proastiakos train and from Athens center by buses to facilitate your travel to this historical city. It is only 90 minutes far away from Athens.
Nafplio festival activities and selected film screenings will be held over the period of October 19-22/10/17. Nafplio is accessible from trains and buses to facilitate your travel to this historical and picturesque city.
Please note – although your film is an official selection of the festival, it will not be screened unless you RSVP and a member(s) of your cast or crew attend. Due to the overwhelming response to our call for submissions, and tributes, we are prioritizing screening of films for filmmakers in attendance.
It is our hope that you will join us to celebrate for the entirety of the festival. You are also automatically shortlisted to be reviewed for the awards process.
C) Don’t miss the open discussion panel of Saturday 21st of October in Nafplio city: “The Importance of Music in 7th Art”.
Costas Ferris the legendary Greek film director, will speak about the Alchemy of Cinema.
D) We strongly encourage you to make every effort, along with your cast and crew, to attend the Golden Pegasos awards ceremony on Sunday, October 22nd in Nafplio city and receive your award should your film receive a nomination.
