Clear, Calm and Warm in the Sunshine

Looking towards Nimos and the resorts along the Turkish coast.

Looking down on Pedi Bay from the top of the Vigla
Saturday was a perfect winter’s day – clear, calm and warm in the sunshine.  We went up the Vigla, Symi’s highest mountain,  in the afternoon, in search of snow views across the water, but the little row of clouds on the horizon perversely remained lined up along the Turkish mountain tops, masking the snowcapped peaks.  Vigla means sentinel and the name as apt as you can see from the photographs.  The ancient inhabitants of Symi would have been able to monitor any threat from the sea from all directions.

The cats of Agios Thanassis.

I wonder who put this optimistic geranium out amongst the ruins.
 Rain-streaked whitewash flakes away to reveal the colours of previous spring-cleaning.

Up in the lanes of Chorio a cat makes his mark on someone's new washing machine...  Getting domestic appliances up through the narrow lanes is quite a business as the nearest vehicle access is a good 10 minutes away - and routes have to be planned carefully to take into account sudden narrowings such as that at the top of this flight of steps.

New blossom and the last of the old nuts right at the top of the tree.

On Sunday the rain resumed and this morning the Proteus was unable to do her scheduled trip to Rhodes due to heavy swell in Rhodes harbour.  She will be going tomorrow instead.  Even in years when we have had a regular winter ferry schedule, weather frequently interferes with the most carefully made plans.  It only takes an easterly or south-easterly wind to close Mandraki and Rhodes’ commercial harbour or a Force 9 gale in the Aegean to bring shipping to a standstill.  On days like this Symi and the other small Greek islands scattered across storm tossed waters are almost as isolated and dependent on their own resources as they were in ancient times.  No wonder the island Greeks are a tough and resilient people and it is this fortitude that will help Greece survive the present economic storm.
 Have a good week.

 Regards,
 Adriana



Jackie  – (Monday, February 13, 2012)  

This is a lovely picture of your Island. Precious and special and beautiful. Its so distressing to see and hear about the difficulties in Greece. Its comforting to know that Symi is still peaceful.

Anonymous –   – (Thursday, February 16, 2012)  

Dear Adriana.
You have a photo taken from the top og Vigla.
How is the windmill up there?
Is it working?
I saw it working the first day from Stavros tou Polemou, but later there were problems.
Green energy could perhaps be one of the ways out of the present economic crisis ;-)

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About this Blog

I sailed into Panormitis Bay, Symi, by chance one windy July day in 1993 and have been here ever since. The locals tell me that this is one of the miracles of St Michael of Panormitis. A BA graduate with majors in English, Philosophy and Classical Civilisation, the idea of living in what is to all intents and purposes an archaeological site appeals to me. Not as small as Kastellorizo, not as touristy as Rhodes, Symi is just the right size. I live on a small holding which my husband and I have reclaimed from a ruin of over-grazing and neglect and turned into a small oasis over the course of the past 22 years. I also work part-time for Symi Visitor Accommodation, helping independent travellers discover and enjoy Symi's simple pleasures for themselves.

This page is kindly sponsored by Wendy Wilcox, Symi Visitor Accommodation.


Adriana Shum

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