November Postcards from Symi

An empty, and somewhat blustery, Pedi Bay.  Look at the new shoots on the tree in the foreground and the lush grass on the terraces to the right.  The recent rain has really got things growing again.

Morning glory in a ruin adjoining Giorgio and Maria's Taverna in Chorio, at the top of the Kali Strata steps.

The herb shop on the Kali Strata in winter mode.

Virginia creeper turning crimson near the Old Markets on the Kali Strata.

The carpenter's cats look happy and well fed.

The bottom of the Kali Strata steps gives little clue to the wide steps and elegant mansions higher up.

The Vapori bar is all packed up for the winter.  Bella Napoli is behind plastic drop cloths so it looks as though pizza will be an option this winter.

An old commercial property in Yialos, rather the worse for wear upstairs but the ground floor houses the local lotto shop.

The Dodecanese Express coming in at this morning.  She will pass through Symi again at about 5 this evening. We won't see her again after that until Saturday as this shipping line only calls in at Symi 3 times a week in the winter, weather permitting.

It is clear and chilly on Symi today - and very quiet if one discounts the sound of the continued building work going on in the premises next door.  Walking down to work this morning I did not see anyone at all until I reached Yialos.  With most businesses closed and many people out of work until the spring, there is not much incentive to venture forth into the cold wind although some may meet for small cups of strong Greek coffee in the cafes later.   Cafes in sunny locations tend to do quite well at this time of the year. The water taxis have gone to their winter berths and there is very little shipping movement of any description in the harbour these days.

The Blue Star Diagoras will not be running this Friday as there is a strike on Thursday so she won't be leaving Piraeus on Thursday afternoon.  This means that there won't be a second shipment of fresh produce to the island later in the week.  Once the early birds have bought Wednesday's tomatoes, that will be that until the following week.  It also means that there won't be any post between this Wednesday and the next as that too is dependent on the Blue Star.  Small islands without airports are very isolated indeed in the winter if anything happens to disrupt the already fragile ferry service.

Have a good week.

Regards,
Adriana