Winter Blues

The fjord-like entrance to Pedi Bay with the mountains of Turkey in the distance.

It is a cold and windy winter’s day on Symi.  February is often the worst month, weatherwise, in the Greek winter and howling gales and low temperatures are nothing unusual.  Flying back to Greece last Wednesday the whole of Turkey seemed to be under heavy snow apart from the coastal strip and it was snowing in the northern suburbs of Athens.  Schools are closed and villages snowbound.  The airport at Ioannina has been closed due to the freezing conditions and it looks as though there is more snow to come as the same weather system that has covered Rome with snow heads slowly eastwards.  Here on Symi the local car ferry, the Proteus, is tied up by the clock tower, riding out the Force 9 gale that has stopped shipping throughout the Aegean.

Yesterday I went for a walk in Pedi Bay.  Pedi is very quiet at this time of the year.  The tavernas and hotel are closed and many of the locals move up the hill to the more sociable and cozy village, Chorio, rather than braving the cold isolation of the bay.  Pedi in the winter is the preserve of fishermen and those who like to spend a sunny winter’s day painting the bottom of family boat.  Here are some photographs to help drive away the winter blues.

Have a good week.

Regards,

Adriana

The controversial Pedi 'Marina' may not be finished for many years but local fishing boats still find it useful to tie up to.

Looking across the bay from the Pedi Katoi.

Looking up the bay towards the Vigla mountain (700 metres) with the upper village of Chorio just visible on the right.

Flowering asphodels and sunshine sparkling on the waters of Pedi Bay.