Some November Postcards from Symi

The view from the balcony of my room on the third floor at the Hermes Hotel, the day before I left for England in late October.  The Hermes and the Plaza are the two hotels you are most likely to find Symi residents in Rhodes during the winter as they provide a 'home from home', particularly if the weather turns bad and the scheduled boat does not run.  Many of the other hotels on Rhodes are only open in the summer months or lack the personal touch.

Symi oleanders.
The mild and sunny autumn weather has triggered a second flush of flowers on oleanders and bougainvilleas all round Symi. This year it really is like a second spring in many areas.

The empty waters of Pedi bay.
Apart from a few local fishing boats moored around the fringes the bay is deserted at this time of the year.  The air temperatures are dropping but the sea remains warm, hence the misty horizon.

A local cat in contemplative mood.
With fewer houses occupied at this time of the year the local cats tend to hang about at the most promising dustbins. The Lieni skip is just to the right of the picture and is well served as anyone with a car on this stretch of road is likely to come up to this corner to turn round and at the same time drop off their rubbish.  There is also steady foot traffic to and from the little monasteries and small holdings in the valley.

The ANES Proteus in Yialos.
She is being cleaned from top to bottom and stem to stern, hence the carpets hanging over the bow.  This photograph is calmer than the reality as it does not show the army of grinders rasping away, grinding the paint off the decks.  Some parts of the harbour are very noisy during the day while this is going on.  Fortunately the next stage, priming and painting, is much quieter.

Waiting in Akandia for the Proteus to come in on Sunday evening.
The bleak expanse of Akandia harbour on a wintry evening with the choppy sea sloshing over the quay is a common sight for islanders at this time of the year.  Note the Blue Star Diagoras straining at her lines on the left of the picture.

Have a good weekend.

Regards,
Adriana