Much Pleasure

Symi has been buffeted by a Force 9 South-easterly gale since yesterday and conditions have only now improved sufficiently for the Proteus to pull out for Rhodes, a day later than scheduled. The island’s telephone lines have also been out of order, causing a breakdown in the internet connections and much furious muttering at the banks. These two events would suggest that we have a way to go before winter is officially over.

The wind has brought with it a fair amount of fine dust from the Sahara and when the rain comes that is forecast to reach us tonight it is likely to be of the red variety. It is very hazy out at the moment and Turkey has vanished. This is the first big sand storm of the season and typical of the weather in this part of the Mediterranean around the spring equinox. Temperatures in most of Greece are still hovering between 15 and 20 degrees centigrade and with the longer days and mild conditions the wild flowers are erupting in every corner. In the light of this the Symi municipality has now decided to grout between the stones on the new pavement along the motor road out of the town. The ribbon of flowers that gave so much pleasure last spring is fast disappearing as a solitary town hall employee works his way down from the windmills, digging out daisies and replacing them with cement. Sad but, no doubt, practical.

The cyclamens are still with us, sustained by all the rain we have had in recent weeks. More rain is expected over the next few days so they should continue to flower for some time yet.

It is going to be a busy weekend socially on Symi with the first of Ian Haycox’s One Night Stands www.haycoxart.com/ taking place at the Old Market at the bottom of the Kali Strata tonight. The second exhibition will be at Symi Dream www.symidream.com/ tomorrow night and the third will be at the artist’s home, Villa Irene www.symivisitor.com/irene.htm on Sunday night. All events start at 8 p.m.

Have a good weekend.

Regards,

Adriana