We went down to see about the boat trip on Sunday morning and Yiannis explained that it was too rough on the east side of the island that day, he might go around to the west if there were enough people but Lukas was going to Toli at 11.00 if we wanted to do that. In the end that’s what we did do and there were only about 20 of us on the boat, a marker to show how quiet the season is now that it is just about over. Mind you Sunday was also a windy day as some of these photos show, so perhaps people stayed close to home.

The boat ride was fun, calm enough for most of the time but out in Symi bay going to (and later from) the sound between Symi and Nimos, the wind caught the waves at the perfect angel and the wake was blown back aboard. On the way back it was blown back and onto me as the photo below will show you. Got a laugh from the family mind you and some comments at Pacho’s when we went there afterwards, but I don’t think the chap sitting next to me was best pleased. This, however, was not my first ‘Symi soaking’ though I’d not been on a taxi boat for years and it’s funny how you miss the fun things, like being drenched.

Later still we were invited to the Old Markets Hotel for a drink on the terrace with Andy and his family and that was a lovely couple of hours and later-later we ended up at Georgio’s for a dinner. I popped home to change and get warm and dry first. Again, a quiet evening as the season really is slowing right down.

As I write, on Monday, we are preparing to get to Rhodes on Tuesday for a night there before heading to the airports, twice, on Wednesday. Sarah has to be at the airport at 10.30 in the morning so we are going a night early; no point risking the Blue Star being late on Wednesday morning though I am sure it will be in good time. You don’t want to feel like you are having to rush while you’re worrying about missing a flight. Best to be in Rhodes the night before and enjoy an evening there, have a leisurely breakfast on Wednesday (at The Lydia Hotel) and then a comfy cab to the airport.

After that, George and I will spend the day in Rhodes, perhaps in the Old Town, before heading off for his flight in the evening. And then… Then we shall be back to normal until it’s our turn to go on holiday in November/December. But more about that at a later date. For now, I’m going to sign off and leave you with a few Toli photos (wonderful day out, great taxi boat, great beach, good food, wish I could get there more often) and I should be back with a blog on Friday, all being well.

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The family visit is still going well and we’re all having a great time with far too much eating and drinking and having fun; not that you can ever have enough fun. We went to the Solidarity Symi thank you party and fun-raiser fund-raiser on Friday where €2,000 was raised to help the refugees and other local community projects.

After that we headed to The Secret Garden for the music (and Neil’s dancing) and had a great time there.

Saturday was volunteer day so we did some tidying up, sorting out and aid station manning while taking a few basics to the newly arrived refugees at the port police station. We had 20 at the police station and 20 new arrivals on the other side; some manged to get through in time to catch the afternoon ferry onwards to Rhodes. And then, after lunch at Merakils, it was onwards and upwards to the house to entertain drinks guests in the evening (thought they entertained us) followed by some social time in the square.

And now, Sunday morning, we’re considering the ‘round the island’ boat trip. Saturday was calm and sunny and perfect sailing weather – for those of us who are not sailors – and Sunday has started with the sea a little ruffled, the balcony doors blowing shut, the sun warm, but the wind a bit chilly… We’ll head down later and as Captain Yiannis how he thinks the day will pan out and then decide.

There, another quick blog I know, but normal rambling service will be resumed soon but not until the end of this week. Wednesday and Thursday blogs probably won’t happen as I shall again be in Rhodes, and the other days may be short and snappy as I spend time with the family. Remember, if you do enjoy reading these blogs and want to know more about what life on Symi is like all year round, you can read 2013 on Symi in one volume: ‘Village View – a year on Symi.’ Simply click that link for more details. Print and Kindle versions both available, though photos may not work so well in Kindle.

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Friday afternoon: filling the sterna with water which is still coming in at 14.20 today, not that we need that much but it’s always good to have enough. The pump is now fixed and away with the old one went the need to turn on three taps to fill the tank, while not being able to run the water. In with the new came the joy of only having to turn the mains water tap when we need to put water in, while still be able to use the water like normal. Vasilis is a genius.

So, while that excitement is going on, we’re also preparing for a night in Pedi at the fund-raiser/thank-you for/from Solidarity Symi which is happening there tonight at 8pm. We may, if we can, head to The Secret Garden afterwards for some live music. Tomorrow (Saturday – today) we’re doing our shift at the refugee centre and will probably have lunch en famile afterwards, and then… well, we’ve no current plans for the rest of the weekend.

I might spend some time dusting the house. The windows are still open and someone’s doing some building work somewhere nearby so the wind is blowing in dust, the red sofas are now a little bit white and it’s not just the cat fur, but I am sure a little dusting will not be the highlight of our weekend.

Here are a few recent photos to spend time with on a Saturday.

Have a good weekend!

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I am literally copying this email from Symi Animal Welfare directly onto the blog. I am just back from Rhodes, with the family staying, I have half an  hour before an appointment and then we’er off out, so this came in in perfect time for me to fill today’s blog with S.A.W. news, and a few photos and save me having to think of something to write. So, Symi Animal Welfare write:

“We would like to thank everyone who kindly made donations throughout the summer, this winter’s feeding programme has already been discussed with our usual suppliers, with such large quantities of biscuits, cans & pasta required, it is vital that we give the supermarkets ample notice.

Everything in life changes from time to time and, due to a variety of circumstances beyond our control, it is now the time when the way Symi Animal Welfare has worked over the years needs to alter.  Our treasurer has retired, our vet-visit co-ordinator has been at home in Denmark caring for her sick husband, I too am leaving for the UK shortly for an indefinite period.

Apart from fantastic commitment from our volunteers who are provided with supplies to take food to the street cats at least twice a week, the ‘team’ currently, actually consists of only 2 who are pro-active, one of those is Suzan the other me.  This doesn’t mean that caring, animal-loving residents aren’t concerned about either the street cats or those who live with or around them, but aren’t involved with everything else we are called upon to do or investigate. These people will of course, continue looking after their cat-families.  We have always done what we can & when we can and I’m sure,  most of you will agree that generally, the cats of Symi are in ‘fine shape’?

Unless anyone else can organise & co-ordinate a visit, unfortunately there won’t be a vet-visit/neutering programme for some while.  As has been the situation for a number of years, we do however have an arrangement with a vet on Rhodes.  Carers can get cats to the vet, Symi Animal Welfare will cover the costs of neutering but not ferry or taxi fares.  If, as residents of the island, you are genuinely concerned about the welfare and potential increase in the street-cat population, we ask that you take up this arrangement.

Suzan has already started to put a list together of feeding stations & volunteers who have helped in the past, she has contact details for them.  If you haven’t been involved with the winter-feeding before but would like to help this year, please contact her directly.  She too will be leaving the island during November and then again next March

Symi Animal Welfare has always been supported so well by visitors, donations have continued year after year, but sadly, it will be virtually impossible to carry on without  consistent & active participation of other residents.”

Melanie Sharp

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Well, yesterday started out well (pun). Actually, it was Monday night when it started. We had had visitors come to see Jack, the Alarm Cat, and then took us out to dinner which was very lovely and thank you again! Then, when we returned home all the lights were out and the power was off. I did the usual things, checking kettles and connections, and finally tracked the problem down to the water pump in the well…

Which meant no water on Tuesday morning. Luckily we had some in a big bottle outside and Habib at the supermarket had delivered us four cases the day before. But still, no water is a tad inconvenient at any time but especially so when we have a house guest arriving on Thursday. Anyway, I popped over the road and found our landlord and, with lots of arm waving and universal sign language plus some Greek spoken in a funny accent (me) and some Symiaka spoken in a funny accent (Andreas), I was able to explain that the pump had broken. I’d already taken advice from a man who knows about such things and who had warned me that this was not going to be cheap.

Our pump is (was) great. It’s down in the sterna, so you never hear it. It’s attached to the world above ground by a rope and its cable so when you need to change it you simply haul it up. Then, I am told, you just undo some joint thing and attach the new pump and lower away. I have no idea and I didn’t intend to find out. So, Andreas went off to phone an electrician (Frances’ husband, Vasilis, who wired the house when it was renovated). A little while later there’s the sound of Vasilis’ truck outside and some greetings from Andreas, who has a loud voice, is always happy and gesticulates like a tic-tac tic-tacker. A little while after that the doorbell goes and we’re off into the magical world of water pumps.

Vasilis quite calmly checked the fuse box, took the front off, stuck his screwdriver into the wires with alarming abandon, pulled them about without killing himself (he knows what to do, he was well trained… by Andreas who was head of the island’s technical college or something) and after a while confirmed that it was the pump and we needed a new one. He then acted as an interpreter for us and between us all we agreed that we and Andreas would go halves on a new pump as they are not cheap. A new one had to be ordered from Rhodes and, as write this now (on Tuesday) that’s been done and we’re hoping it will be here and installed on Wednesday at the cost of at least €400. Yikes. I know, but it gets better…

While Vasilis was here was also looked at the electricity meter. We’ve been here since February and our bill has been really low. I was kind of complaining to the landlord that we were not paying enough. I know, but you don’t want to end up with a large bill if/when you discover you’ve been paying the wrong bill. And guess what? We’ve been paying the wrong bill. We have been paying for Andreas’ house opposite (who clearly lives by candlelight as we’ve only paid something like €100 in eight months) and, with a little detective work on all sides, we discovered that someone else has been paying ours. Thing is, the wrong meters have been put to the wrong bills and our real one, estimated, is €16.00 in credit. Except it is not as we’ve used nearly 3,000 units more than the estimated amount. So, guess who is going to be getting a large bill next time round? I’ve no idea how much it will be, it depends on various things – how much you’ve used and at what time – but that’s going to be something to look forward to right before Christmas and right after our European trip. Hey ho! But, I am glad we have it all sorted now and am very grateful for all of Vasilis’ help.

Now then, as I write this, Neil has just photographed some more refugees who have been rescued and brought ashore by the port police. And that reminds me that on Friday evening at Pedi (Apostolis taverna) there is a gathering and party to which everyone is invited; drinks etc. for €10.00 which is a donation towards Solidarity Symi.

And that also reminds me to let you know that I am off to Rhodes for Wednesday and back on Thursday, leaving Neil in charge of mother (or vice versa) and so there will be no blog for two days. How will you manage? Well, I always suggest you check out Adriana’s Symi blog if you don’t already. I’ll be back soon when hopefully I will be able to wash.

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