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.

Anonymous –   – (Friday, November 03, 2017)  

Brooms seem to have some connection withe the saint. There is a TINY little chapel sort of underneath the coast road near the Rhode Horizon hotel in Rhodes town that is dedicated to the same saint. We found it a few days ago and the chapel has brooms that you take if you light a candle. There was a lovely lady there who was trying to explain the significance of the brooms but we didn't quite get it. Looked it up on tinternet and it still didn't quite explain it. If anyone can tell us--we'd be most interested

Anonymous –   – (Friday, November 03, 2017)  

there is a tiny little chapel dedicated to the same saint sort of underneath road to the airport in Rhodes--near the Rhodes Horizon hotel. We found it about 10 days ago and there is a pile of broom outside the door. A very nice lady tried to explain the significance of the brooms to us--but we didn't quite get it. We've looked it up on tinternet and it doesn't really say why brooms are associate with this particular saint. If anyone can help us--we'd be most interested

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About this Blog

I sailed into Panormitis Bay, Symi, by chance one windy July day in 1993 and have been here ever since. The locals tell me that this is one of the miracles of St Michael of Panormitis. A BA graduate with majors in English, Philosophy and Classical Civilisation, the idea of living in what is to all intents and purposes an archaeological site appeals to me. Not as small as Kastellorizo, not as touristy as Rhodes, Symi is just the right size. I live on a small holding which my husband and I have reclaimed from a ruin of over-grazing and neglect and turned into a small oasis over the course of the past 22 years. I also work part-time for Symi Visitor Accommodation, helping independent travellers discover and enjoy Symi's simple pleasures for themselves.

This page is kindly sponsored by Wendy Wilcox, Symi Visitor Accommodation.


Adriana Shum

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