Thursday afternoon, back home, holiday over, back to normal (from tomorrow), missing the family already but strangely looking forward to not eating so much.

The weather here is fab again. I got back from Rhodes, walked up the steps and was sweating all the way. The sun is out and the sea is calm. It was pretty warm over in Rhodes too and I didn’t need to wear my hoodie or the long trousers I took with me. We stayed at the Lydia who did me a good deal on a room. I usually do a Trip Advisor review of places where I’ve stayed but I’ve already done two for this hotel; I wonder, what is the acceptable number of good reviews to give one place?

On Wednesday, my nephew and I went into the Old Town and had a look around. George was able to shop and we both fended off the ‘Yes please, nice tables, something to drink? Yes please, very nice,’ brigade of café and bar owners. I know where I head to when lunch beckons in Rhodes Old Town, Boukia Boukia! You walk up the main drag from Socrates Square and take the first, or second, can’t remember exactly, narrow lane on the left. There is a sign for the public toilets there so you can’t miss it. Head down there and you will see a couple of tavernas on the left (and the public loos on the right). Boukia Boukia is one of them.

This is a place where you can still look around the kitchen and see what is available, it’s all homemade and a very good price too. Two plates – turkey and lots of it, oven potatoes, fresh green beans x 2 except George had rabbit, wine and water – for just over €20.00. Well worth a visit. After that we did some wandering around and rested up before heading back to the airport – we’d already dropped mother there in the morning. It was a long day.

And so, just dashing this off quickly to let you now I’m back and back to normal and then going to get the washing done and some other homely bits and pieces. I might have to open the window or get the fan out again. It’s very warm!

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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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