Dust from Africa

This weekend on Symi was the hottest so far this year, with temperatures hitting 30 degrees on Sunday. The haze of fine dust from Africa has not moved, however, as there is not a breath of wind and visibility is down to a few kilometers. The horizon begins just beyond the entrance to Pedi bay and the night sky is devoid of stars. There is a pinkish cast to the light and everything is covered in a film of fine sand. This phenomenon is very common at this time of the year and has been known to be bad enough to close Rhodes airport and even reaches as far as Athens.

We took the opportunity to catch up on the gardening yesterday, preparing the ground in my kitchen garden for the summer’s tomatoes, courgettes and peppers which will have to be planted out soon. The warm still weather and recent rains have brought Symi’s insect population out in full force and the first mosquitoes are already whining on the evening air. The spiders are a bit slow coming forward but the geckos have been active for a while now and the birds are busy. It is a pleasure to hear them chattering and twittering in the olive grove and almond trees.

While we were out with the strimmer and the hoe, clearing nettles and poppies, other locals were busy scrubbing the recent mud rains off their motor cars – I passed several Symiots similarly engaged when I went forth at midday in search of refreshments. The evenings are now mild enough to spend them outdoors instead of in and the barbecue season has begun.

Down in the harbour the number of yachts has increased and we have seen many old friends.

Have a good week.

Regards,
Adriana