Monday Morning Blues in Yialos

Clear and cold - the sea off the Nireus hotel by the clock tower this morning.

The Nireus hotel, like many others on Symi, is still firmly closed for the winter.  It will be a few weeks yet before the winter wrappings are packed away and the sunbeds and parasols reappear along the quay.

This view of Harani gives an idea of how Symi's houses are built, arranged in tiers along the cliffs and connected by a network of steps and ramps.  Very few houses on the island have close vehicle access and anything under about 60 steps is regarded as easy access.

A traditional fishing caique.  In the background you can see the Pitini and Petalo parts of the harbour and the zone where the distinction between the lower reaches of Chorio and the upper reaches of the harbour  becomes blurred.  The scar on the hillside to the left is the only vehicle road that connects Yialos, the harbour, with Chorio, the old town, Pedi, the next bay and Panormitis, the big monastery at the south western end of the island.

A perfect colour match.

When this pair of semi-detached houses was built in Yialos, red brick was very rare and evidently regarded as something to aspire to, so the right hand house, built out of the usual local stone, was cunningly plastered to make it appear to be made from brick. Alas, the subterfuge has been revealed as the plaster has started to fall off, but whoever's status was dependent on this has long passed from this world and the house is on the verge of ruin.

It is quite warm out of the wind, as this cat colony has discovered in the storage zone round the side of the cafe by the bridge.

No pre-packs here - this is how our fruit and vegetables arrive.

Oh goody!  The Greek strawberry season has started!

You may be sure that the oyster mushrooms at this taverna are fresh.