The flocks have come down from the mountain pastures

A brisk north-easterly wind is whipping up small white crests across Nimborio bay and the yachts are sailing hard across to Nimos. Temperatures are still in the mid twenties but feel cooler in the wind. It is expected to warm up later in the week when the wind changes to the south west with the possibility of a shower or two. The equinox has passed and the days are shortening quite rapidly now. Beach goers set off early these days as the sun disappears behind the cliffs and hills quite early now.

The carpet seller is back. The bus stop in Chorio is draped with an impressive array of acrylic carpets in shades of gold and maroon. The voluptuous tulip motifs suggest possible Turkish provenance. His truck is also stacked high with winter work boots and those bright bouncy trainers with flourescent stripes so loved by thirteen year olds. The migratory habits of hawkers are as much an indicator of the seasons as those of birds.

The flocks have come down from the mountain pastures and we are surrounded by sheep and goats. The sheep aren't too much of a bother - they nibble until they reach a fence and then carry on following the line of least resistance, but we have had several goat incursions which are most annoying. Galvanised steel fence posts pushed flat, young trees stripped and geraniums eaten to ground level. The dog chases them off when he interrupts their dinner but if he is busy chatting to the donkey over the wall at the back of the house he doesn't always wake up to what is going on 4 terraces down. A crude but effective alarm system has now been rigged. Anyone wondering at the festoons of empty coffee cans tethered to fence posts at odd points need ponder no longer!

Have a good week!

Regards,
Adriana
The Symi Visitor