Innocently Fattening

It is a cool clear day on Symi, a peaceful interlude after a stormy weekend. Once again the barometer dropped so low that the harbour was flooded in places on Saturday and there were heavy showers and strong winds overnight. The captain and crew of the Piraeus-Rhodes vessel, the Ierapetra, had to do some complicated manoeuvres to dock in Symi harbour on Saturday afternoon. With a strong on-shore wind blowing it was uncertain whether they would manage to get the ramp down safely and all the vehicles aboard without being blown across the harbour. At one point there was a huge amount of tension on the warps as the boat was winched into position and the ramp had to be raised again to prevent it demolishing the navigation light at the end of the quay. Yes, that is a bit of the Nireus Hotel, well wrapped up in plastic drop cloths, just visible on the right hand side. It is amazing how different Symi looks in the winter… Not an umbrella or sun-lounger to be seen.

The gaudy revolving dinosaurs have moved from the waterfront and are now part of a Luna Park which is currently set up in Symi town square. Carnival might be over in the rest of Greece but on Symi the party lingers on.

The weather forecast for Greece remains unsettled for the rest of the week with more wind than rain on the horizon for Symi as we move towards the spring equinox. The days are getting longer and warmer with temperatures around 20 degrees at midday, dropping to around 10 degrees at night. The Easter lambs are fattening innocently on a diet of lush spring grasses and the local ladies are stocking up on ingredients for the traditional Easter baking – little cheese pies, koulouria and other seasonal delicacies. The countdown to Pascha 2010 has begun.

Have a good week.

Regards,

Adriana