Bright Blue Sky

The clocks changed yesterday and in the afternoon a chilly north-easterly wind drove us indoors to light the fire for the first time since April. Supper still came from the garden though – fragrant homemade pesto from the basil which continues to flourish in defiance of the changing season. The delicate spires of white flowers are full of bees from my neighbour’s hives so I should have a good haul of seeds to save for next year’s planting. Another neighbour now has a dovecote and a flock of pigeons which he is training. Every afternoon they swoop and soar over our terraces, white and grey feathers flashing against the bright blue sky. Thus far they have shown no inclination to sample our germinating barley, unlike the wild birds who find newly sown fields an easy source of food.

Down in Yialos preparations are underway for tomorrow’s Ochi Day parade and flags are whipping smartly in the brisk breeze. White horses are flickering across the water and small waves are smacking against the quay. A north wind may be chilly but as long as it blows there will be no rain. The long range forecast for our corner of Greece remains clear and dry for at least another week and fingers are crossed that the rain will hold off until after the Panormitis Festival on 7 and 8 November, little more than a week away.

We are still waiting for the ANES ferry schedule for November which should become available in the next day or so. Dodecanese Seaways have already put theirs up and it looks as though the Dodecanese Express is going to be very busy indeed over the Panormitis Festival, running a shuttle service between Rhodes and Panormitis monastery.

Have a good week - and remember to look out for the Symi Visitor's photographs of the Ochi Day Parade.

Regards,
Adriana