The Lure of The Beach on Symi

Wandered off for dinner last night down to the Taverna Hartomeni for the first time (but not the last!). On the way, we enjoyed the setting sun.

As we approached the taverna, the Panagia Skiadeni was coming into port. 

We had a ringside seat of the sunset at the taverna, as well as a really delicious meal. 

This morning, it was another brilliant sunrise and promised to be another warm day. 

The skies were unbroken blue. 

Went off for a coffee at the Olive Tree, where we met up with Hilary for a catch-up chat. On the way, saw another example of Greek plumbing, doubling up as a cat resting place. 

A bag full of herbs on this motorbike. 

Walked down to Pedi, spotting this incense burner on the way.

Lovely courgette flower being visited by a stream of ants.

An interesting bit of wall building to fit the tree - hope it doesn't get any bigger! 

A new cargo boat was in port at Pedi - we didn't plan to stick around to listen to it unloading all day. 

We went off to St Nick's beach once again, where I admired the tenacity of this ant lugging a shiny dead beetle back to the nest. 

Tamarisk trees on St Nick's offer lots of shade and handy places to hang your clothes.

The beach was quiet. 

Later on, I enjoyed this conjunction of curves in the hill, sky and parasol.

After lunch in the taverna, we returned to our sunbeds. The wind came up and it clouded over for a while - a couple of hours later and it has all cleared again

Waiting for the taxi boat back to Pedi, Su drew my attention to this construction on the quay that looked a little like a treble clef.

Walked back up from Pedi, spotting this sleeping cat on the way - a brick for a pillow and a blanket. 

 Proud chicken with her chicks in the boatyard.

Where else would you store your old gas cylinders than in the back of an old car?

This day a year ago we walked to Nimborio, stopping at St George's church on the way, as part of a proper tourist day.

Su's news story of the day (BBC website - click on the title for the full story): 
Self-assembling furniture 'grows like popcorn'

Pedi All the Way Today on Symi

Lovely light on the hillside as the sun went down last night.

Gentle clouds a little later.

Up with the bells and the chickens to another glorious morning. 

We set off down to Pedi and encountered this pretty cat sitting in the shade of a motor bike. 

Just down the hill, met this confident cricket. 

 Lovely bougainvillea seen through a fence.

The digger down at Pedi was in operation today on the new development. We haven't yet been able to find out what is being built down there.

Made it as far as the stretch of beach next to Taverna Katsaras - taken by this forest of beach umbrellas, and the view beyond.

The entertainment of the day was watching the launching of this boat - they got a cheer once they managed it. 

After a dip and lunch at the taverna, we managed to get some more beach time before having a beer at the Pedi Beach Hotel and enjoying the clarity of the view across to Turkey. 

This day a year ago, the temperature on Symi was at last as warm as that in the UK (this turned out to be the UK's summer). 

Su's news story of the day (BBC website - click on the title for the full story): 
Man plays guitar during brain surgery to treat Parkinson's

A Slow, Quiet Day on Symi

Went out for dinner last night at Syllogos as the moon rose over the hill.

After that, it was off to the Sunrise Cafe, where lots of quiet blues was played by George, Terri and me until about 12.30. Didn't stay too late, but we didn't get to sleep until gone 3 o'clock for some reason. Awoke too early (8 o'clock) to another lovely day.

Decided to treat ourselves to breakfast at the Olive Tree. On the way there, I admired this example of Greek scaffolding. 

Hope it gets reunited with its owner soon. 

As ever, I enjoyed the view from the terrace at the Olive Tree. 

Visited on our table by this very pretty insect. 

Admired this unusual Tic-Tac-Toe board and pieces.

Repaired back to our terrace and hung out there for the afternoon - Su read and wrote in her journal and I played a bit of guitar.

Later on, we went for a wander - passed these faded flower petals on the way out. 

Explored round the back of the apartment and a bit of the top of the Pedi Valley - great crop of thistles here.

Went past the unfinished sports hall. 

Had a look around inside - it's a great space and ideal for a possible Symi rock festival venue!

Great views from inside. 

Walked up the road a bit, and enjoyed the sight of this motorbike driving under a digger in the process of demolishing an old wall.

A young goat tethered in the back of this van - wonder what its fate will be? 

Good views across to the North side of the Horio from the Kastro to the windmils. 

A bit further on, another splendid view down the vally. 

Found ourselves on a flight path for a load of swifts. Took loads of photgraphs trying to catch them as they swooped past - this was the best I managed. 

Wandered past this bougainvillea along to the Rainbow Bar for a beer before coming back to the apartment. An early night tonight, and a more active day tomorrow!

This day a year ago, we woke too early after a late night to a cloudy day. Wandered down to Yialos for some boat spotting before playing at the Sunrise Cafe with Clare and George. 

Su's news story of the day (Daily Mail website - click on the title for the full story):

Fire brigade issue warning after rise in kitchen blazes caused by overheating ECCLES CAKES