Monday morning and the promised rain has just arrived at 09:00 - it is very light rain so far. There are dark clouds over the Vigla but the sun is shining on Nimos. We have experienced days like this before in October and enjoy the changing face of Symi that the weather brings. It is expected to last the morning and clear in the afternoon. Plenty of time to sort out the PhotoLibrary and get on with the book and as these are only light showers do some cafe hopping.
We omitted to say that on Saturday night the "train" passed us full of young children having the time of their lives - we assumed a birthday party. It stopped at Hirani where two little girls from the shop that has moved there, in all their finery, jumped on to great cheers. Great to see this venture being used by visitors and locals alike.
We also omitted to say that when we reached Trata for dinner the Rugby World Cup game between England and Uruguay was showing in the bar next but one to the taverna.
So to Sunday and what started out as blowy became very windy but not bad enough to stop two day boats arriving and the Dodec doing its thing. Posseidon didn't venture out and one of Louka & Irini's taxi boats made a quick change of plan and headed to Tolis. We headed round into Yialos for our usual frappe and then went to Symi Tours to buy our tickets for the Wednesday 08:15 sailing of the Blue Star. A much more reasonable time for a morning ferry and at €8 per head, €5.50 cheaper than the Panagia Skiadeni that we came over on.
We then walked up past Iopetas Hotel and up the steep hill to the cemetery and over towards Nimborio but only went as far as the shack where we had a beer stop and then returned to Nos Beach for lunch of grilled vegetables (pepper, aubergine, mushroom & courgette with a balsamic dressing (new) and skadalia - doesn't need both), the best meatballs on the island and tuna salad (the without salad kind). With the usual it came to €30. A complimentary piece of semolina cake that hasn't changed in all the years we have been coming, except now it has maple syrup drizzled on it (blame Masterchef !), ended lunch in what we regard as the perfect spot even with the perpetual "building". And of course the ceremonial throwing of the uneaten bread into the sea to watch the shoals of bream devour it in seconds was a must.
Home to read and siesta and then out to Elpida's for the ouzo and retsina which came with the usual array of changing mezes - all the perfect accompaniment. The big decision with only three dinners left was a return to Tholos as it has become the restaurant of the holiday just pipping Odyssia. Even with the dying wind precautions had been taken with the covers being up which intensified the conversation of a group of Americans on the table behind us. It seemed to be a competition as to who had traveled most. Thankfully peace and quiet returned as our shared starter of those superb prawns again arrived - this dish has made it to our final night choice already !! We followed this with chicken fillet in a light lemon sauce (E) - this came with rice; and traditional lemon goat (D) which came with the legendary lemon potatoes. We take back what we said about Meraklis getting close on the lemon potato front - last night's were simply sublime. As for the goat this had clearly been cooked with lemons for a long time and fell off the various bones that all add to the taste. The complimentary sweet was Greek yoghurt with honey and figs - beautiful. The bill came to only €40 as we discovered that the Retsina was on the house - another example of Greek generosity.
The "long" walk to Maragaritas and a chat with our neighbouring guests and another enjoyable day ended.
PS. It's now 10:00 am and the rain has gone and just blue skies and sun over the Vigla - normal service has been resumed. Frappe time !!