It is Greek Pentecost this weekend

It is another golden summer's day on Symi. The figs are ripening in the gardens and grapes grow plump on the vines. The cool breezy conditions are continuing with temperatures still in the comfortable mid to high twenties. The leaves have started to fall early this year after the dry winter and in the Pedi valley die-back is noticeable in a number of the trees as they shut down branches to cope with the drought. A certain amount of natural thinning is also taking place on the nut and fruit trees for the same reason.

Down in Yialos the harbour has been very busy. This week's Cypriot cruise boat was the Princess Marissa - well known to anyone who took one of the three day mini-cruises from Cyprus to Israel and then Egypt in the early nineties. It is indicative of how regional politics have changed that such cruises no longer stop in Israel, it now being regarded as unsafe, and favour Lebanon instead which 15 years ago was still in ruins after the civil war. But I digress. A sleek white ketch, Juliet, flying a red ensign has been lying off Harani for a few days. Apart from the usual rubber ducks and tenders she has a delightful little gunter rigged wooden sailing dinghy. After the day boats left yesterday afternoon someone took advantage of the brisk breeze to tack up and down the harbour in her. Much more fun than thrashing around on a wet bike and considerably prettier.



It is Greek Pentecost this weekend and the banks will be closed on Monday. Travellers need to remember that as this is quite a significant religious holiday in the region ferries are likely to be busy and many businesses will be closed until Tuesday.

Have a good weekend.

Regards,
Adriana
www.symivisitor.com