Views from the Balcony and Other Symi Delights

Watching the soldiers marching past on VE Day, I wondered who stood on this balcony during the Second World War and watched Allied and Axis troops march past as the island passed through the hands of various occupying forces.

Just before the main deluge on Tuesday morning.  That is the water ship lying alongside the clock tower.

A small fishing boat in Yialoswww.symivisitor.com in the lashing rain.

A radiant orange fisherman.

The Panagia Skiadeni and the water boat in the rain on Tuesday.

Wednesday morning sunshine with the Blue Star Diagoras and a couple of departing yachts.

A gypsy hawking strings of garlic this morning.

The Diagoras excursion boat and one of the water taxis berthed in Yialos this morning.  They haven't started operating yet for the season but more of the commercial boats are being launched. They should receive their licenses and insurance soon for the season.

Alas, Mr Drake is on his own these days.  I haven't seen his partner for at least a week and he wanders disconsolately up and down the harbour, calling for her.

Fishing nets on the quay near the customs house.

Pedi bay on Wednesday afternoon.  My camera isn't quite good enough for you to be able to see the white sails of yachts over towards the Turkish shore.  By this time the water ship was tied up in Pedi.

The flowers are opening on the rigani bushes.  Oregano, Sage and Thyme grow wild on the hills of Symi, perfuming the summer air and making hikers hungry.

Wild hollyhocks growing from an ancient stone wall in Chorio.

Honeysuckle in the garden of a restored mansion on the Kali Strata.