Symi's Second Spring

In the weeks that I have been away in England Symi's second spring has started - a period when mild temperatures and the first rains start a new cycle of growth.  The wild cyclamens are among the most interesting, each plant having unique markings on the leaves.  The delicate pink flowers will only appear after the winter solstice but the leaves in themselves are highly ornamental.  They will linger on in the damp and shady places until April.



Regulars to this page will be familiar with this view.  The difference is that what was dusty dirt track is now a muddy one, fringed with green.  Note the reflection of the small boat in the puddle on the left.  The surfaced road to Panormitis drains into this side road, flooding it every rainy season, so perhaps having a few boats parked along the way is not so inappropriate after all.  It is not uncommon on a small Greek island to find boats parked in odd places.  We don't have fancy marinas and facilities for local boats.  When not in use the locals tow their boats to wherever they can find place for them and if it means sharing space with the chickens on the family vegetable plot, so be it.



The view of Pedi Bay from Lieni this morning.  Lots of rain clouds and not a yacht to be seen.  I think we can safely assume that summer is now definitely over!



This too is a familiar view but after the rain the ground is now soft enough to plough.  These tiny terraced fields are sown with mixed grasses to provide grazing for goats and sheep.



The ducks under the bridge in the harbour. The wire mesh is to prevent them from wandering out into the traffic.  They have quite a large enclosure in open water on the other side of the bridge.



Yialos early this morning as seen from the bridge.  Not a single yacht to be seen, just small local fishing boats.  The wedge of mesh in the centre foreground is the edge of the duck enclosure.  The yellow building on the right is the customs house.  In the old days, i.e. about 5 years ago, the Saturday day excursions to Datca on the Poseidon and the Triton used to leave from the quay in front of the customs house.  We all rather miss those days of exotic Turkish meals and cheap bargain finds in the market, now lost due to expensive bureaucracy.



With no day trip boats from Rhodes and no tourists it is time for the harbour to pack up shop until the spring. 

 

In the 3 weeks that I have been away the tourist season has drawn to a close and everyone has started to pack up for the winter.  The rainy season has settled in and the island is looking lush and green.  We have had torrential rain for the past two days and the weather is only expected to clear in the course of Saturday.  Temperatures are still mild, between 14 and 20 degrees centigrade but everything is, of course, very damp.  I am looking forward to a weekend of pottering in my garden - and doing what I can to reduce the snail population which is awake and munching.

 

Have a good weekend.

 

Regards,

Adriana