Thursday 17th October
A simple day
Waking up otn Symi is becoming a very difficult task. Maybe it’s all the beer, wine, Ouzo and Metaxa but we prefer to blame the fresh sea air that makes us sleep so well. Even the chickens, goats and the cats try their best but tend to fail. I finally get up around 8am and have a breakfast of a cheese straw and a cup of tea. Liz, when she finally drags herself into the morning, has a cake left from last night, yes she really did!
The kitten managed to break in by pushing the side window open and once fed we kicked it out, well encouraged to leave shall we say.
- Pomegranates on The Kali Strata
A quick shower and I’m off down the Kali Strata taking pictures as I go and one spot I like is a terrace behind one of the big ruins where you get great views of the harbour and the ruin with the church Isodia Theotokou in the background.
- Great view
Further down into Gialos and I buy a water from the bakery at the back of the square before taking the road by the side of the Iapetos Village Hotel and up the steep hill to the cemetery. Along the path to St Georges with the breathtaking view before down the zig zag path where there a few boats moored so more photo opportunities.
- I can't resist walking up for this view
- Nice lighting
- Nimborio
Along the quiet road to Gialos passing a few people jogging and a couple swimming down by the rocks. I cut off to the right and up to Evangelismos and sit for a while with the views. There are so many churches on Symi and so many people are seen painting or cleaning but it’s a pity so many are locked these days.
Down past the boatyard where some of the Taxi boats are already out of the water and being powerwashed underneath with no doubt a lick of paint before the winter on Symi sets in. It is strange for us coming so late in the season to see places closed, or closing, and the locals carrying coats and hoodies.
- Harbour
I can see the yellow bus coming down the hill and meet up with Liz in the Comfy chairs for our latte. D&E soon come along and join us for an coffee and then Neil and Toby appeared after their daily chores. Having failed to get on a boat D&E are off to Nos for a swim and leave us with a small gift which is a very nice gesture. We do hope we bump into them before heading home but who knows as plans on Symi change in an instant.
We talk food and end up in Trata with the boys where we have the delicious Garlic Potatoes starter, Liz had Stuffed Tomatoes, I had a Giouvetsi with very tender stewed beef, Neil had Sole and Toby went for a very substantial Moussaka all washed down with white wine. A walnut cake all round on the house finished a very nice lunch.
- Garlic Potatoes
- Stuffed Tomatoes
- Giouvetsi
- Cheers
A taxi passed me on my walk up the road with obscenities being shouted from the window by guess who? The fast power walk (all in my dreams) and I was rewarded with a nice cool beer in my Symi local. The usual laughter and discussions take place and the time slips away as ever.
When Yianni returned from his siesta he tried to teach Neil how to make a Magarita for Anne – what is surprising is that he found any mint left out the back as each time I went to the toilet a pinched a few leaves to feed Liz. It save on the Taverna bills!
2 men collect a beer fridge first from Lefteris Bar and then take one from the Rainbow, we have either worn them out or they are hinting I should return to England?
- Hint?
We decide on a snack night so buy some sausages and bread rolls and make hot dogs with fried onion. Liz reads and I try to remember the days events.
14215 steps so I’ve poured myself a Metaxa
Yammas from Symi