September

The summer seems to have flown by - as it always does when you get near the end of it. I’m writing this on September 28th and there are clouds that threaten rain and a bit of a strong wind. But this will no doubt be temporary and, when the sun breaks through, it is still hot enough.

But what’s happened in September that I can remember? Hmm…

Well, the first strong winds came on the 1st of the month, helping to bring down the unusual heat that affected most of August and temperatures returned to normal - at the beginning of the month. Neil’s mother left after her two weeks visit and Yiannis from Lefteris Kafeneion caught a whopping great fish which was the excitement of the village square for a whole afternoon and evening. Unfortunately I didn’t have a camera on me but it was almost the size of his youngest son who was holding it up proudly as he showed it off to everyone.

The temperature rose again during the month and when we attended a baptism, to photograph and video it for the parents, the ceremony was held outside in the courtyard of Haritomeni church, in the village. Another celebration occurred - Neil’s birthday - and we marked the occasion by working from 9 a.m. through until midnight as usual.

The Taverna previously known as To Klima re-opened, or just opened as it is now called Filos (friend). It is serving mezethes (small, individual plates) as well as some pasta and meat dishes. It’s also open at lunch time which is great. We’ve already been several times, giving ourselves an hour off between 1 and 2 - particularly on Tuesdays when I take the guided walk. The walks, by the way, have been going very well and everyone seems to have enjoyed the mornings. I certainly have.

As you’ll see from the galleries ODAS (the Association of Creative People of Symi - the acronym comes from the Greek translation) held its first exhibition on 24th.  The event and the group were blessed by two priests and over 100 people attended the event. The exhibition will run until the end of the season.

And finally: it’s run up to election time. Jean, Lemonia and I have produced a ‘how to vote on Symi’ hand-out for anyone living on the island who has not voted before - it’s available at the shop or at Jean’s bar. The election will be October 15th so more about that next month no doubt. Martin arrived last night - the Laskarina, Symi Animal Welfare vet - and the surgery opens tomorrow. I’m doing vasectomies and the like on Monday morning, can’t wait. Again, more in the SAW update next month I expect.

And finally finally - Jason and the Sargonauts is now available in Hardback (see our books department) and the paperback will be out as soon as Gill has designed the cover for me. I hope to have some copies available in the shop next year along with other writings about Symi. Watch this space.

Am off to buy paint for the flat roof - have to re-paint it each year or else the rain comes in and floods the house. Here comes winter…