Fluffy Clouds and Symi Blues

The goddess, Pallas Athena, looking down from a harbour rooftop.  That is the dome of Lemonitissa church you can see in the background.

The customs' house slipway in Yialos with friendly ducks and fishermen contemplating the day's catch.  As you can see from the clothing, it is still decidedly chilly here at the moment and everyone is well wrapped up, particularly those who travel by motorbike or scooter.  Yes, that is a small BBQ standing on the kerb, no doubt ready to receive some of those fish.

Fluffy clouds and Symi blues.

Wind-blown skies and a cold dark sea.  The Nireus and Aliki hotels are still closed which is why there are no umbrellas to be seen along the quay.  The Harani boatyard is still full.  The Merchant House, Sofia's House, Villa Nicola and Villa Karnayo are all in this area adjoining the main harbour, Yialos.

Buoys bobbing in the harbour.

Friday morning's Blue Star Diagoras.

The Monday morning Dodecanese Seaways catamaran. The schedule does not fill out until April and even then there are a lot of gaps in the program. The online schedule is only available until 19 April, the weekend after Greek Easter.

A place in the sun.  Cats making use of a well-wrapped quad bike near the high school as a sun lounger.

Typical access steps to Symi houses.  As the houses are small and built into the hillside if there is an internal connecting staircase it is usually an open tread wooden ladder through a trapdoor to save space.  The main access between up and down is usually an external staircase such as these.  

Someone thoughtfully gave this cat an old sleeping bag to snooze on.

It is one of those overcast and drizzly days that happen quite frequently at this time of the year.  The dreaded 'red rain' from the Sahara has begun.  Fine particles of sand arrive on water droplets and cover everything with a thin film of pinkish dust which dries to a crust.  This is probably why ochre is such a popular tint for whitewash here rather than the dazzling white of the Cyclades. The forecast for the week is unsettled, with showery weather and strong winds, particularly at the end of the week.

Wednesday is Greek Independence Day and also the Feast of the Annunciation so both a religious and a public holiday.  Evangelismos church, the church on the headland in Harani that is dedicated to the Annunciation, is the main focus for the church festivities on Symi and on the holiday eve burning braziers are put along the ramp leading up the church.  There is also a parade in the harbour on Wednesday morning.  It is very much a family holiday and people usually get together for gyros after the parade as it is a fast-free day.

Have a good week.

Regards,
Adriana