A bit of a bird day yesterday in that I found two sparrows eating our succulents, and a couple of young doves came to the taverna in the afternoon. Meanwhile, the swallows and suchlike are still whizzing around, I heard the owl in the evening, the chickens continue to fuss around the bins, and the morning chorus has been joined by a thrush and blackbirds. I tried to catch the garden raiders in the act, but they were too fast and all I ended up with was a picture of a window that needs cleaning.

Later in the day, these two doves came wandering down through Lefteris’ Kafeneion, through the Rainbow and were on their way to Georgio’s when they were interrupted. I assume they are young collared doves because their collar wasn’t prominent, and I also assume, they were able to wander so closely to us because there was nobody else around as it’s been quiet in the village of an afternoon.

The same thing happened during Covid, not that I am comparing a quiet afternoon in the village these days with that time. However, when everyone was locked inside their homes and there was very little outside life, no bars, no cafes or socialising, it didn’t take long for nature to start reclaiming the area. We had wildlife around the house that we’d only seen before in the mountains. Hoopoes, for example. I’d only ever seen one or two far from the roads and civilisation up in the hills, but they came calling in 2020.

Anyway, the bother-in-law popped in last night and is on his way this morning, taking the early Blue Star to Rhodes and then onwards. I have the usual on my plate this morning, some piano this afternoon, and still nothing else planned apart from one dinner out, which, with this nose, is probably quite enough. ‘Argh, my nose,’ becomes the June/July mantra in this house with all the dust, pollen, and tamarisk tree right next door. The doctor’s advice when talking about it? Move house. Yeah, right. I’ll invest in Sotiris’ bargain tissues packs and, when I fancy a couple of days off, take a non-drowsy antihistamine and be drowsy for 48 hours. (Sneezes.) Ah well.

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Apart from the mule tethered up the road it’s been a quiet weekend for me. A peaceful time of reading, writing, chatting and doing very little else.

In transport news, the bus timetable has changed, and there is now a bus from Yialos every hour, on the hour, from 08.00 until 23.00, except for 15.00 when there is no bus. This will come in handy on Thursday when we are due to go down to treat ourselves for an Indian meal in the evening (Tip: book in advance).

The bother-in-law is due back from Tilos this morning on the Blue Star. He’s reported that he was looking for peace and quiet and has not been disappointed. I look forward to hearing his fuller impression later today. He’s off again tomorrow morning on another Blue Star, so that really will have been a fleeting visit.

Note: Today is one of our three water days, so we must remember to water the plants.

Actually, I did do something else over the weekend. I started serialising a novella on my other website www.jacksonmarsh.com. It’s an old one written under my original name, and I’m going to put it up chapter by chapter over the next couple of months. What was interesting to note was that, although I only put it up yesterday and only the opening chapter, I’ve sold two copies of it online and two copies of the book that came before it, ‘Remotely’, which has the same central character, an enigmatic fix-all lady of indiscernible age but much ability, Miss P.

You can find out more about ‘Honestly’ by clicking this link. That will also lead you to the first chapter.

I’m off back to ‘work’ now, with my nose blocked and itching (it’s that certain time of year again), and the fan beside me ready to go on when the sun comes up, so… Let’s get on with the week ahead.

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You either love it or you don’t, I suppose. The ‘Noddy’ train that runs between Guadalquivir and old Seville… Oh, no, that’s a Chris de Burgh song (someone else you’ll either love or hate, perhaps). The tourist train that runs between the town square and the suburbs of Almost-Nimborio, offering you views along the way. Views of the throng stumbling off the day boats into your path, the shopfronts of the harbour north side, the clock tower and police station, the old boat yard and the fancy new restaurants along its water’s edge, and onwards… Past what was Paradise Beach and is now Kirtos, up the hill beside the famous Anchor House (a must-stay destination), and around the coast, offering views of the sea, Nimos, and the other side of Nimborio Bay.

Once it reaches the Nimborio terminus, it turns and comes back, so you can look at the view on the other side — rocks, mainly. I believe it does a circuit of the town square so it can park in the right direction, thus, you can get a close up of the Town Hall and other places of note. (The house that was a museum and is now given over to the clergy, the Indian restaurant – another must-visit…)

The train isn’t actually a locomotive, it’s a tractor in disguise, and it used to pull two carriages, but now has only one. Not sure why. Cheaper to run perhaps? Fewer breakdowns? It’s a bit of fun, though I have yet to indulge myself. Not sure how much the ride costs but I reckon you’re on it for around 45 minutes to an hour. (?) That’s judging by the times I see it crawling around the harbour after boat-arrival time and up to about four of five in the afternoon. In the past, it has been privately hired foo wedding parties, I believe.

There. Something to do while on your day trip to Symi.

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Let me throw some numbers at you: January-April 2025: 3.2 million international air arrivals, an increase of 197,000 (6.5%) compared to the same period in 2024. Dodecanese: 217,000 arrivals (+6.1%). April 2025: 1.6 million international air arrivals, an increase of 122,000 (8.4%) compared to April 2024. (GTP Headlines and Tornos News.) “Rhodes is among the top European destinations experiencing a surge in international air arrivals…”

So how come:

That was yesterday around 16.30, a time when, in June, the village square is usually bustling with folk on their way back from the beach, and those who prefer to spend the afternoons chatting in the shade of the village square. Head to Yialos between 11.00 and 16.00 and there’s hardly enough air to go round, the place is so busy. Head down there in the evening, and (I am told) you’ll find some eatery/drinkery businesses shutting up shop at 22.00 through lack of custom. Quiet? I should cocoa.

The reason? No idea. And I can’t think of anything else to write today.

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