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I’ve not been able to get out for my morning walk this past couple of days thanks to a bad throat, but that seems to be getting better, slowly, so I’ll aim for another early morning wander up the mountain perhaps tomorrow. Being stuck at home with a book to read is not such a bad thing, but I do miss the morning wander, even if it produces only the same old photos. I am heading down to Yialos later to do the necessary things – bank, post office etc., – and that can be my exercise walk for today, especially the coming back up the steps part.

Patterns of planting (?) in the Pedi valley
Patterns of planting (?) in the Pedi valley

I’ve not really had my mind into anything of late. I’ve been trying to start on new book ideas, trying to think of blog ideas, but nothing much is firing the inspiration, maybe due to the bad throat, or maybe due to generally running out of things to say. I’m not an ‘out and about’ person much these days, so don’t know all the ins and outs of what’s going on around me, which would make for more interesting blog posts. All I can really tell you about is what I see around the house and from the window which is mainly, boats, sea and weather, while around the house it’s mainly maintenance issues and the desk. But I am going to Rhodes on Friday to see the optician so that could make for a thrilling read for you one day.

Morning sunlight in the living room window
Morning sunlight in the living room window

So, due to lack of inspiration, I’ll leave you alone to get on with your day while I get on with mine.

A few days ago
A few days ago

Windy, walks and a bit wobbly

Windy, walks and a bit wobbly

It was a bit windy over the weekend. The shutters were rattling, we had to close windows to keep out an invasion of dead leaves from the vine and elsewhere, and the temperature dropped, especially in the early mornings. I was laid low by some throat/head bug on Sunday and today, Monday morning, doesn’t feel much better – a bit dizzy and not quite coordinated, but hopefully that will pass in a day or so. Apart from that, it was a quiet weekend for me.

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I went for a walk on Saturday up to the monastery and back. The moon had just gone off from full, it was quiet if a little breezy in places and there were few people on the roads. I was passed by a couple of runners jogging up the hill as I was walking. To think, I used to do that a few years ago. I wouldn’t dare now even though my knees are now fully insured under my health insurance plan. A medium-speed walk up and down is fine for me, though I shan’t be doing it today. The bug has left me with sudden head rushes as if I am constantly standing up too fast, you know the feeling. But, while I am taking it easy, I shall be reading a biography of Bram Stoker, keeping an eye on the comings and goings in the harbour below, and thinking what to write next. I’m on a break from the desk at the moment, a hangover from the recent family visit. I’m still dithering between another Saddling story to finish that series, or another Clearwater to continue that one, but after two years of intensive writing, I think a small holiday is in order. It will allow more time for ideas to stack up, I hope.

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And so, the week ahead and nothing planned (always nice), apart from godson’s birthday and a trip to Rhodes to see the optician. Apart from those events, I shall be taking it easy. I hope.

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Back and catching up

Back and catching up

And here I am again back with the usual blog. We’ve had a great week off, though everyone was worn out by the end of it what with sun, swimming and feeding more or less nonstop for six days. A lot has happened during that time; a speedboat fire (no injuries), important church festivals, the Symi Festival events in the main square and elsewhere, and the harbour being packed on most nights. That’s without the cruise ship that’s been coming in and the five or six boats per day with day-trippers. August is a busy, hot month over here on Symi, which is, I hope, good news for all the business who only have a limited time to make their annual turnover. Below are a few photos to give you a few highlights, and I’ll be back with more of the same from now on, keeping up the six-days per week schedule until I go to Athens in September.

Early mornings
Early mornings (blurred)
Visitors from Turkey waiting to go through customs
Visitors from Turkey waiting to go through customs
A rare day off
A rare day off
Grandpa duties
Grandpa duties
Lunch at Katsaras
Lunch at Katsaras
The coastguard attend the boat fire
The coastguard attend the boat fire
All rubber and plastic :(
All rubber and plastic 🙁

Writing on a Greek island