Symi Views from Above

The entrance to the church yard at Stavros to Polemou, a monastery high up in the forests on the west side of the island. Photograph by Dawn Sproson.

Symi is not just Yialos, Chorio and Pedi, neo-classical architecture and pretty beaches.  It is also staggering views from mountain tops on clear days.  Photograph by Dawn Sproson

Looking towards Panormitis bay with the length of Rhodes and Halki in the distance. Photograph by Dawn Sproson.

The results of the goat cull about 10 years ago are starting to become obvious as the island slowly reforests and becomes greener. The indigenous trees are mostly conifers on these arid slopes.  Photograph by Dawn Sproson.

If you have never been up to the interior of the island, or taken a round the island trip, you may be completely unaware of just how wooded parts of Symi are. This is all indigenous natural forest.

Talking about indigenous trees, the tamarisks are starting to flower.

Sweeping the Kali Strata.

A black cat crossed my path on Wednesday.

The official name of the Kali Strata is actually Ierou Lochou after the Sacred Band, an elite Greek military unit during the Second World War who named themselves after the original Sacred Band of Thebes

Busy bees in the plumbago.

Here we are, half way through September and other year is drawing to a close.  The island is a lot quieter than usual for September, but that has been the case throughout the 2017 season.  Symi really is slipping back into become a sleepy by-water on the tourist map.

Looking out of the office balcony doors right now I can only see 4 yachts berthed on the north side of the harbour and another dawdling out past the clock tower.  The Symi Sea Dream has come in so there are a few day trippers around. The Panagia Skiadeni goes to Panormitis first on a Friday so won't be in until 1 and the Nikolaos X usually gets in around then too.  Many of the locals are up the mountain today, celebrating the name day of St Nikita and others have gone to Rhodes on the Blue Star.

There are only two days in the week when it is possible for the people of Symi to go to Rhodes for business - Wednesdays and Fridays, with the Blue Star.  As Wednesday is quite a short day because the boat leaves again at 15.00, Friday is more popular for anyone who needs to do serious shopping as well as see the tax office, accountants, lawyers, MOT and the like.  Rhodes is only 25 nautical miles away but that is a long way when one is dependent on ferries.  I haven't left Symi since May!

The weather continues warm and sunny.  Midday temperatures are around 30 degrees, dropping to around 20 at night.  The storms and rain that have affected the Western and Central Mediterranean sweep north over the Greek mainland and the Balkans.

We are still some weeks away from the first rains, even though the 'second spring' that is the Symi autumn is already under way.  Plants are less stressed and starting to grow again. The plumbago and jasmines are flowering for the second time this year, as are the tamarisks.  The squills are poking through. The plant shops will soon be selling vegetable seeds and seedlings again, ready for the moment the ground is soft enough to till.

Have a good weekend.

Regards,
Adriana