Here are a few more random images from Symi to keep you going over the weekend. The weather is still playing fair and warm, calm and without any wind to speak of, but next week promises something different. That’s if we can believe the forecasts which show rain and high winds for the middle of next week. I must get the bathroom roof sealed and painted before that happens, and dig out the door curtains (for drafts) and the old towels (in case of leaks around windows, which only happens if I forget to close the shutters). Meanwhile, have a good weekend and enjoy these photos that were taken during the summer.
On the roadEnjoying the view?Summer sailorsOff to RhodesA guided walkMeanwhile in PediKeeping it green.Summer sunsetAcross the island (in the back of a flatbed truck, clinging on…)Coming and going
Just a few photos today – but where were they taken? I can tell you that they were taken earlier in the year, or maybe even last winter, but how many places can you name or recognise?
We received a postcard the other day, from Alonissos. I just wanted to say thank you to Anschi for sending it, and for your good wishes. Keep reading the blog and the books!
As for the film news, if you haven’t already seen the news, ‘The 13th‘ has won ‘Best Feature Film of the Year’ at the Lake View Film Festival in South Africa, and the award has arrived with the director/producer at 1066 Productions. Bravo to everyone involved, backers, actors, crew and local Symi children (and adults) included. Let’s hope that this award helps the company find a distributor and the money needed to get the film released to the public. Here’s a photo of the award. (Other photos today are random, as per.)
‘The 13th’ has won ‘Best Feature Film of the Year’ at the Lake View Film Festival in South Africa
Also, if anyone is in London on 31st October and fancies seeing the film at the Hen & Chickens Theatre, Islington, where the Unrestricted View Horror Film Festival is taking place, 1066 have five free tickets for backers or interested parties. The tickets include 20% off all drinks at the bar all day/evening. If you do want to go, you won’t have to make a speech or anything, it would just be good to have an audience and someone there who has a connection with the film even if you haven’t – if you see what I mean. (The connection would be that you’re a Symi Dreamer, that’s good enough for anyone.) Contact me if you are interested. (Email address at the bottom of this site.)
That’s the news and thanks done, now back to the writing but I will say it again, if you’ve seen the film and want the full story, or if you’ve not yet read the book, ‘The Judas Inheritance’, you can find it on Kindle and in print right here. Symi isn’t named as the island in the book, but it’s pretty obvious where it is set, at least, it will be to anyone who reads the book, knows the island and the village in particular.
Also, a quick note: at the moment, if you order a print copy of ‘The Saddling’ (my currently best selling mystery/thriller) you get a Kindle version copy for free. Sounds like a Christmas present for a friend, with a bonus for you kind of deal to me.
Delightful weather, all rather peaceful, quiet in the village in the afternoons and yet busier in the evenings. There are several homeowners here at the moment, coming for an end of season holiday and to check their properties before preparing them for the winter months. Checking the weather-proofing, tidying up, putting things away and making sure everything is in place so that their houses are looked after during the coming months.
There are also several long-stayer preparing to head home after a summer on Symi. That must be a very difficult thing to do, to say goodbye to your second home for a few months. But, as I always say, you have to leave in order to come back.
As for us, we’re falling into the pre-winter routine: up early still (a huge array of stars from the balcony at 5.30 this morning), work in the morning, and afternoon actually, a pause for lunch, Neil still guarding the bar for a couple of hours, a drink or two there before home for a film, or friends for a dinner, that kind of thing. The shorts have gone back into the wardrobe unless we’re out in the sun in the mornings, but we’re not yet in full winter garb. That will come later. The courtyard is tidy, the flat roof cleaned ready for a coat of waterproof paint, the barbeque still needs to come inside to go into hibernation in the spare shower room, but other than that… Oh, the chilli plant has now decided to flower, so we’re hoping it stays warm enough for those buds to turn into chillies. Seems a bit late, but then, what do I know?
The day boats are still coming in, though numbers of day visitors may be falling. A couple of tavernas have closed for the season, but I still see taxi boats heading out. The Poseidon is finishing its trips this week unless the weather holds, the licence runs on, and there are enough takers for a trip. So, you can safely say, it’s definitely autumn here on Symi.
As well as some photos taken from the balcony yesterday (and the bonfire at the new jetty site from a few days before – it was a controlled fire), I have some updates on films. One of the organisers of the Symi International Film Festival sent me the list of award winners and I’ve copied it below.
No need to worry
Before we get there, the news from ‘The 13th‘, the film shot entirely on Symi, is that it has been entered in 74 festivals to date – it may not be entered into any more. It has been selected for ten so far, and in those it has won about 20 laurels/awards and been seen by several hundred people. More publicity for Symi there. It had been rejected by 34 so far, but there are still 30 in the pipeline. Now you know, and now the Symi International Film festival awards list:
Waiting for a boat
Award for Best Feature Film Mousse
Award for Best Short Film White House
Award for Best Animated Film Cuerdas
Award for Best Greek Film Ο Λέων της Πεντέλης (The Lion of Penteli)
Award for Best Direction John Hellberg – Mousse
Award for Best Actor Stéphane Bertola – Mousse
Award for Best Actress Huichi Chiu – Huidas (Escapes)
Award for Best Cinematography White House
Award for Originality A Mirror
Award for Best Music Antonis Zacharakis – Ta gemista (Salted)
