Brooms and Blue Skies

Oak leaves and acorns in Lieni - the big Valonia oak that overhangs the road has responded to the drop in temperatures and darker days.

The grass, on the other hand, is well up in most places now.  It is amazing how fast things change with a bit of rain.  More rain is forecast for tomorrow, followed by sunshine on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and then the possibility of showers creeping in for the second half of next week, after the Panormitis Festival.

The valley is fast greening over and on a clear day with a north wind one can see for miles.

Every little crevice that traps soil and moisture is turning into a garden and even the humble dandelion is a welcome sight after the dust of summer.

Many businesses are now packed away for the winter and it is really only those places that cater to the needs of the locals that stay open through the winter months.

The Symi flower shop is one that stays open all year.  Now is a great time for gardening and they sell vegetable seedlings as well as onion sets and herbs.  While northern European gardeners are heading indoors to browse seed catalogues for spring planting, here in the south it is the beginning of the gardening year.  Temperatures are still around the 20 degree mark so relatively mild and optimal for germination.

When the Blue Star came through this morning, it brought a cavalcade of cars, vans and trucks, laden with fairground items for Panormitis.  Most of them have gone over the mountain to stake their claim in the monastery grounds. This broom seller, however, deposited his load on the pavement opposite our office. The idea seems to be to buy a new broom and use it to sweep away the sins and sorrows of the past year.  These brooms are like besoms without the broom sticks and are made of straw.  A stooped posture of supplication is inevitable when using such a thing. As you can see, the harbour in the background is empty.  Apart from the Blue Star, any other boats are going direct to Panormitis as that is where the action is.