St John’s Church, Yialos
Here are some photos I took while waiting for Neil to see his accountant last week in Yialos. This is St John’s church. I have also heard it called the island’s cathedral. It has a bell tower separate from the church and a long courtyard. We have, in the past, sat here while the Symi Festival has been on and enjoyed a glass of something while sitting under the stars, in August, listening to talented musicians playing live. One year, we took our drinks from what was then the Meltemi Bar and heard piano and saxophone jazz being played. That dates us a bit, not the music but the bar which has not been open for some years now. Michaelis, who had it now has the Secret Garden in Horio where the music tradition continues with Greek and jazz, blues and more on particular nights through the summer.
The election canvassing and meetings have begun. I reckon there was a political meeting in Horio on Sunday, but I am only guessing that from seeing who was in the square at lunchtime. Other meetings have already been arranged or have taken place including one by a candidate who has a member of the foreign community working with him; more news on that once I have been given it. As I understand it, three teams are running this time, and the elections will be on the same day as the European elections in May. By a strange quirk of fate, me as a yUK passport holder may/may not be allowed to vote. I am on the register, but a) the yUK may or may not be in or out or even shaking it all about by then, and b) I will be in Tilos on the day, and I am not sure if I can vote by proxy or mail. I will have to investigate, but I think it’s unlikely.
As for the weather, expect it to be changeable over the next week or two. My forecast is showing rain for today and on and off for a couple more, but no rain or high winds on Friday when we are going to Rhodes. I was going to take a walk yesterday as I am still trying to get back into my old routine, but the weather is against me. It was overcast and threatening, and I didn’t want to reach the top of the hill sweaty and panting only to get rained upon, so once again, I will have to wait. Meanwhile, I will snatch opportunities to wander the mountains just as soon as I can.
