Bright Monday

The week after Greek Easter is called Bright Week and Bright Monday was all that one could wish for - sunny and calm after the strong winds and heavy rain of Good Friday and Easter Saturday.  It was such a lovely day that I thought I would share my walk down the Kali Strata with you.

Usually when I stop at this corner on the Kali Strata in high summer it is to photograph cruise ships, mega yachts and gulets. This time I stopped to photograph this tangle of daisies bursting through a homely gate of reinforcing rod and minium (the red primer that Greeks use to undercoat everything from boats to houses.)

A few foreign yachts came in for Easter.  Yialos is so empty at the moment that there was space for these boats to tie up alongside instead of wrestling with anchors in Symi's notoriously deep harbour.  As you can see, there are tables and chairs set out at Katerinettes and other waterfront places but the shops were closed. This view was taken through a gap in the buildings on the Kali Strata.

Looking down the Kali Strata steps.
The daisies and wild flowers still dominate, topped up by the recent rain, but they will be gone in a few weeks.

This ruin near the bottom of the Kali Strata fascinates me.
That little curl of wrought iron is a window latch for a window that has long since become open sky.

The Old Markets Hotel has yet to come out of winter hibernation.
 With its open terrace and al fresco design  it has to wait until the last of the rain is definitely over.

And finally, a flock of goats near the unfinished sports complex in Chorio.  There are far fewer goats on the island than there used to be and this flock is an unusual sight.  They are properly tagged and have collars and bells so obviously properly looked after.

Even as I post this blog the sunny weather is turning once again to strong winds and thunder showers and there are gale warnings in effect.  The Mediterranean Basin is the point where the cold air of Europe meets the warm air of Africa as spring reaches North Africa far sooner than it does continental Europe and some years April can be particularly stormy.  Looking at the long range forecast it does seem, however, that after this next blow all should be calm and sunny for a while.

Have a good week.

Regards,

Adriana