We've Made It To Symi!

This is the weather we left behind in the UK yesterday - it even started to rain as we left the airport car park, just in case we had any last minute doubts about coming away. Quite fortuitously a friend of ours is working in Bath this week and the first half of next week, so he is keeping our home fires burning (literally - with our stove) while we flee the wet weather.

Our first glimpse of the plane.

Closer up to the engine as we climbed the steps to take our seats.

Had some quite spectacular skies as we took off.

Once we were in the air, the display continued in between periods of greyness.

 Up higher.

And more…

We landed in Rhodes at 2.30 am Greek time, and were ferried to the International Hotel to sit in chairs until breakfast at 7 am and transportation to the ferry at 7.45. We didn't feel sleepy at first so went for a stroll and found the 24-hour Swedish cafe - success after more than one attempt in the past! Came back and had a beer - I eventually dozed off for a little while listening to my iPod. Su managed to resist the allure of Morpheus until we were on the Dodecanese Pride heading for Symi. Got off the ferry in Yialos to see some familiar friendly faces, amongst them James from the excellent Symi Dream. Got a lift up the hill to the top of the Chorio thankfully as it was already warming up, and were pointed in the general direction of our studio. Managed to find it OK, and are now settled in and enjoying views from our bedroom in two directions - looking over The Horio towards Nimos.

Looking down the Pedi Valley across to hazy Turkey. Notice the blue skies and complete absence of clouds and rain :-)

This day a year ago, I engaged in preparation for painting and then did a little allotmenteering and admiring of other peoples' planting - including this fennel flower.

As we've been up for over 24 hours with only snatched nap time, I reckon we won't be conscious for much longer. Time for an early siesta - we will emerge later on after the hottest part of the afternoon to see the village coming back to life.