Symi was hit by a heavy hailstorm

Greece was struck by a deep barometric low yesterday, resulting in torrential rain and extensive flooding in many parts of the country. Most ports were closed and the Blue Star with 655 passengers on board spent some time wallowing off shore before being able to dock safely in Rhodes. Symi was hit by a heavy hailstorm and strong winds, confining the Symi to the quay until this morning when she was finally able to depart, taking much of the island's student population with her as Epiphany marks the end of the winter holidays and the universities and colleges reopen next week.

This was the first real storm of this winter and I was in the office at the time, working on the newspaper until the point when the lights went out... When I went up onto the roof-terrace to clear the hailstones which were clogging the drains before the trapped water started to come through the french doors and down the stairs I was amused to see that I was not the only one with a similar problem. 'Mr Tasty' was on his roof with a broom, sweeping the hailstones off and several other householders were similarly engaged. The ramp was a torrent, leaving a trail of rubble in its path. The last baseball cap of summer, some tourist legacy of a day trip long gone, is still draped damply round one of the 'no parking' cones. (see Out and About pictures)

The traditional booths of cypress and oranges used for the Epiphany celebrations today had to be rebuilt after the deluge but there was still a good turn out for the celebrations. It is a perfectly calm day with a few dark clouds hovering on the horizon and visibility of about 30 miles. Rhodes is clearly visible from the top of the mountain.

Have a good weekend.

Regards,
Adriana

www.symivisitor.com