The Weather is A-Changing

Kokkimides is the second highest peak on Symi after the Vigla and the views from the monastery at the top are spectacular.

Ancient stone walls and a shepherd's cottage, high up in the mountains above Symi.

The churchyard at Kokkimides.  The church is tiny and accessed through the small door to the right of the photograph. It is believed to be over a thousand years old.

A tiny window, thick stone walls and a stone tiled roof.

At some point someone etched these patterns into the threshold.

A modern touch.  The Swiffer duster evidently failed to serve its designated purpose and was repurposed as they say.

The heavy stone walls of Kokkimides have withstood centuries of extreme weather.

Looking down at Panormitis bay and monastery from the motor road above.

A mellow September morning in Yialos.

A sure sign of impending Autumn - the peripatetic carpet salesmen are back!

The weather is a-changing with a brisk cool breeze blowing and the evenings have become a lot cooler. Day time temperatures are still around 30 degrees out of the wind but the change in the winter from warm to cool has brought about a general drop in temperatures.  Suddenly people riding motorbikes are wearing long sleeves again and more of the tourists are wearing trousers and T-shirts rather than skimpy beachwear when they stroll around the harbour.

I have had family visiting and we went for a rare drive up the mountain at sunset this week. When one lives here and is working through the season it is easy to forget that there is an island out there apart from the bits we see every day on the way to and from work.  It was quite fun playing tourists for a change.  One of the places we visited was Kokkimides, one of the oldest and most fortress like monasteries on the island.  The peak of Kokkimides mountain is the second highest on the island after the Vigla and the views are marvelous. The chapel is dedicated to St Michael and is very ancient, with wonderful frescoes including some very lifelike sheep and horses as well as the obligatory scenes from the scriptures.  It is well worth taking the time and trouble to go up there.

Have an enjoyable weekend.

Regards,
Adriana