A Happy Haze of Ice Creams and Frappes

It has been abnormally warm for April the last few days but it is cooling down again now and today is overcast with high cloud. There is the possibility of some showers later in the week and some strong winds.

Down in the harbour they are digging again - this time it is a trench to take the water and electricity cables for the yacht service points which are being installed along this side of the quay. It is has been very noisy in the Symi Visitor office today, the only respite being when the fellow operating the cutting machine reached the extreme end of the hose pipe that was providing the cooling water for the blade. Things came to a sudden halt in a gush of water. The workmen have now adjourned for lunch.

It is the time of year when teenage school children make their cheerful round of Greece, visiting islands and historical sites in a happy haze of ice creams and frappes. This is as much an annual event as the fattening of the Pascal lambs which is taking place in many a lush field. This year, however, the annual 'massacre of the innocents' is on a rather larger scale. Some of you may have read in the latest Symi Visitor about the cull which is taking place on a variety of islands in order to reduce livestock numbers and alleviate erosion problems caused by over-grazing. Well, the cull on Symi starts later this week and some 2500 sheep and lambs comprising four flocks are to be culled. This will be with the supervision of a state appointed vet but will obviously take place over some time so walkers beware! We have not yet been informed of exactly where these culls will take place but the farmers have been given permission to sell on the meat as the animals are not diseased, merely being culled to reduce livestock numbers, so the tavernas should do well over Easter.

Have a good week.

Regards,
Adriana
www.symivisitor.com