Symi news
Stepping aside from the debates about Europe and the lessons in punctuation, I thought it time we got back on track with our usual Symi updates; at least for now.
After a brilliant day on Tuesday, which was reminiscent of a summer’s day in England, hot in the sun and very calm, Wednesday dawned blustery and overcast. The Blue Star came in and looked as if it was being blown into port by the waves. This was just surface water being swept along in the direction of the harbour and you can see, as you watch form up here, how the wind works on the sea: patterns changing in the shades of blue/grey with some white sweeps of spray heading off in various directions. We nipped down to Yialos on Tuesday to pick up a new water pump, now fitted and working fine, bought some vegetables and then headed home; a flying visit.
The sad news of yesterday was that the priest who lived beside The Olive Tree passed away; his funeral was held yesterday. He had been unwell for some time but carried on patronising the Olive Tree for as long as he was able, with his daily coffee and chats with the ladies there while looking after his cat who often came to have coffee with him. He will be sadly missed.
In other news, the refugee aid station on Rhodes is, apparently, closing (I don’t know the full story) and some of their supplies are being shipped to Symi where Solidarity Symi will organise them and have things sent to where they are needed. Kastalorizo is currently having major problems. There is only a population of around 250 there but the last I heard they had over 800 refugees. They are very close to Turkey but only have one or two boats per week to Rhodes and onwards, and lack of facilities and space. Other articles on this subject read: “The latest figures from Frontex – the EU border security force, show 68,000 people crossed the Mediterranean to Greece in January. That’s 38 times the number that did it in January 2015. Over 400 died in Greece crossing in January. They’re expecting a massive surge in numbers this year compared to the relatively small number last year. Austria has now closed its borders, and the Greek PM is calling for an emergency meeting because Greece now has around 40,000 trapped in Athens (growing by the day) that aren’t now going anywhere.” Whatever your views on the refugee problem, it is clear that something more has to be done.
And in slightly more exciting news, at least for those who backed the film shot on Symi, ‘The Thirteenth,’ I have heard from the company that they are hoping to have a completed film ready to show backers next month. The sound work is nearly done, the colour grading is nearly done, and the credits lists have been finalised; they just need the editor to add them. If you are one of the backers who donated over a certain amount and have been asked to send in your photo for the end credit/thanks list, and if you have received another email recently to ask for a better quality image, then you need to get that sent off ASAP. The image needs to be head and shoulders (but not passport style in that you don’t need to look like someone just popped an eclair into the photo booth, or look like you are on remand or anything), but it also needs to be a big, original digital photo – shot on the best quality you can. The image may end up on a big screen and if you’re too low-res then you will come out as a blurred, pixilated mess. If it sounds like I am talking about you, then you can contact me to get more info.
And with that (and the film trailer, below) I’ll sign off for this morning and wish you a pleasant day.
