Friday Photos

Friday Photos

How about a courtyard update to accompany some Friday Photos?

As you might know, I’m not very good with plants, so I can’t tell you exactly what all of these are. The big droopy thing probably needs a trellis, the succulent whatsit has done well this year, and so has the chilli which is a second-generation plant grown from seeds taken from one of Yianni’s plants behind the Rainbow. The little one next to it came from V&M’s plant shop at the top of the Kali Strata and has been banging out chillies all year.

The other photos are, as usual, random.

October 14th_6 October 14th_1 October 14th_2 October 3rd_07 October 8th Neil_03 October 8th Neil_06 October 8th Neil_18 20201007_101407 October 8th Neil_29 october 10_1

A little fall of rain

A little fall of rain

There was much talk of a storm on Tuesday night, but what we ended up with was a shower around half-nine in the evening. It wasn’t enough to thoroughly water the plants or fill the reservoirs, but it was an indication of the changing season. The next day, there were still a few clouds around in the morning…

October 14th_4

The bathroom floor got wet, but not because the roof leaked, although it will do unless we get up there and paint the roof, but because I’d left the window open. It won’t be long before the shutters are mainly shut against the wet and cold, and we’re hunkering down for the winter. Before then, however, the sea is still warm, the season is on-going though gradually fading, and we have visitors on the island, some staying, some coming in and out with the day boats.

October 14th_3 October 14th_5

Symi Animal Welfare – Winter Feed Programme 2020

Symi Animal Welfare –  Winter Feed Programme  2020

I received a message from Symi Animal Welfare yesterday and was asked to share it to anyone on the island who looks after stray cats in the winter.

Dear Friends & Volunteers,
This year has been a very difficult one for many of us, especially those involved directly or indirectly in tourism, and for animal charities too, and SAW is no exception, with very little money from donations in 2020. With so few visitors to Symi this summer, most of our collection boxes are empty! So financing the WFP this Autumn will only be possible with some contribution from our usual volunteers. Those who wish to receive 1 sack of cat bix for their colony cats will be asked to contribute €10,00 towards the cost.
The price of each 18 kg sack is € 20.00. We think this is a small amount if you still wish to help the cats survive the winter months.
We will be collecting your contributions (Christina, Antonella or myself) during October, in the port area, but, so we can make the order, please let me know a.s.a.p.  either by email or Messenger, if you agree to help us with the WFP funding.

We thank you for your understanding and co-operation.

Suzan, SAW.

20201007_101403

An idea for Halloween reading

An idea for Halloween reading

The Judas Inheritance_ ebook cover - smallerI was thinking… Halloween is coming up in just under three weeks, and if you’re the sort who enjoys a creepy story, you might be interested in ‘The Judas Inheritance.’ This is the book I wrote a while back on which a film was based. Although the book doesn’t say so, the story is inspired by Symi, though not the Symi we know. Whereas our Symi is a lively and happy place to be, in the book, the island is suffering a mysterious and supernatural curse and is not a happy place at all.

The book was written to be suitable for adaptation into a low-budget horror/thriller, and it’s told in the first person and in the third. This was to give it a more filmlike feel. One minute you’re in the main character’s head, and the next you’re essentially reading what they call the ‘black stuff’, the text or stage direction in a screenplay. Except, in the book, it’s expanded and detailed.

Also, there’s a lot of Symi history in the background of the book, invasions, change of ownership and so on, although just about everything else is made up.

The book has received favourable reviews, with readers using terms such as, ‘Heart-stopping suspense’, ‘A page-turner reminiscent of Stephen King at his best’ and ‘Brilliant storyline.’

Here’s the link to the Amazon.co.uk page in case you fancy ordering the paperback version in time for Halloween. It’s also there on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and most Amazon stores around the world. Pleasant dreams!

The Judas Inheritance_ full cover - smaller

Views and News

Views and News

Looking from my office window on Saturday, I saw this unusual ship passing on its way towards Nimborio.

october 10_2

Looking out of the same window yesterday morning, the sea was calmer, and the lighting different as this was earlier in the morning. Not a bad view.

october 11_3

And, as you can see from the next photo, there’s not a lot happening on the desk at the moment. That’s because I’m over in the corner on the PC table where I do the typing and computer work. I’m thinking about switching operations back to the old desk for the winter and using the computer table as a modelling station. I’ve still got the Invisible Man waiting to be finished. He’s been in the laundry room all summer as it’s too hot to paint and glue in the warmer months. And yes, I can see him even though he’s invisible. I’m sure there will be photos of the work in progress as time goes by.

october 10_3

Time is definitely going by, and quickly too, it feels like. Already the middle of October (almost), the temperature is cooling, there’s more talk of rain on the way, some businesses have closed, some never opened, sadly, but everywhere in the village is still open for now. The bars in the square have been busy of an evening, so hopefully those away from the square have been too. There’s still music and open mike night at the Secret Garden, the Sunrise is open evenings until late, Scena remains popular, and some of these bars will be open all winter. Building work continues on some houses nearby, workmen putting on new rooves before the rain starts. The mules are at work, church bells ring, baptisms are being held, there was one at Panormitis the other day, but there’s no definite news of the Panormitis festival. I know the Oxi Day parades have been cancelled across Greece this year, though when the May 8th parade didn’t happen, we were treated to music from the town hall speakers instead.

 

So, we’re heading into another autumn and into another week. I’d just like to draw your attention to the Symi Music School appeal if you’ve not already seen it and joined in. The full post with links can be found here. We have so far managed to raise 36% of the money needed to keep the music school open for the next two years, and every little helps.

Writing on a Greek island

Symi Dream
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.