So what’s new and what went on last month?

            Blimey it aint half hot mum. In the four years of living here we have never known it to be so hot. There is no air at all and the garden has turned into a desert. I am writing this on the 28th August, our anniversary of leaving Britain. On reflection it’s the best move we’ve ever made. When we left we didn’t have a clue what to expect. Now, four years on I have my own shop and a gallery. I have had my photos in various newspapers/magazines around the world and had my shop filmed it will be shown in a Greek soap opera. Also this month James has had two of his books published at last so were riding high on a wave at the moment. Thank you to everybody who has supported us since living here.

            Also this month has seen a new group of artist get together. It is growing in numbers by the day and so far I think we have about 25 people of all different nationalities join together. The aim of the group is to show our various skills off in various exhibition spaces and to have workshops to allow us to teach other people, especially the children of Symi. The director of the group is a Greek lady called Aruni who is an excellent painter and has sold her paintings in various places around the world and has also taught people before. She has a lot of drive and enthusiasm and has already raised money by selling raffle tickets. The prize is one of her own paintings. The first exhibition is going to be held in my gallery on the 24th September just before the local council elections. The mayor will be here and his opposition as will various dignitaries of Symi. It will start off with a priest coming in and blessing not only my shop but the art project we are all hoping it will be a huge success. We are also hoping to have live music but that hasn’t been finalised as yet. Anything and everything will be on view to the public so if you are here at the time please feel free to pop in and view what the local artists of Symi can produce, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

            Earlier this month James went up the mountain with Aruni to join in the church service to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and later that same day I went to The celebrations being held at the Alithini chapel. There was food, drink and lots of dancing which carried on to the early morning hours. I was the only non Greek to get up and dance. It was a very good night had by all and I didn’t break my leg this time as I did last year on the way home. I was very pleased with myself.

Additional notes from James:
Re the books. We are working through the proof copies and the final versions will be available to order on-line in a few weeks time, we hope. Next year we aim to have copies of ‘Symi 85600’ available in paperback to buy in the shop or order on line. This little publication will comprise The E-mail Diaries, Village View and How to move to a Greek island (all currently available as e-books on this site) and will also have additional texts and writings taken from the Symi Dream site and other as yet unpublished writings.

We are also looking at the possibility of producing a photo book of Neil’s images.

And we hope to have Jason and the Sargonauts available in paperback by Christmas (on-line) and at the shop and through our own website by Christmas. Because of this we have had to stop presenting it chapter by chapter on symidream.

If you have any comments about these projects please e-mail them to us.