We’re still enjoying warm weather down here. I just went outside at 3.30 this morning, and it was rather pleasant. Mind you, there’s no wind to speak of, the plants don’t know what to make of it all, and I’m sure we’ll get some kind of winter weather before long. Meanwhile, the Nicholaos X made its last day trip yesterday. At least, I assume that’s why it sounded its horn for ages as it left; saying thank you and goodbye in the traditional fashion.
Today sees the start of the three-day Panormitis festival, and many of the boats will be routed to visit that end of the island during this week. It’s doubtful I’ll get down there this year, but I imagine it’s already busy with pilgrims and visitors, market stalls and other things set up and making ready. Wednesday will be the big holiday and main day, but events and celebrations will be going on for the next three days.
Today, I’ve a couple of photos Neil took on a recent walk over to St Nicholas Beach, or ‘Saint Nick’s’ as it’s often called. They were taken on a morning when there was some early but not threatening cloud, but like many days at this time of year, the cloud dispersed during the rest of the morning, leaving a clear sky and a sunny day.
Things have quietened down no there are very few visitors here. We can still see some pleasure boats coming in and out, but the harbour isn’t lined with them. Instead, it’s returning to the customary winter sight of local fishing boats and speedboats only, with the ferries turning up according to their schedules, but not the day trip boats. I’ve noticed that visitors eager for next season to be upon them have already begun asking about boats from Rhodes next summer. The bottom line there is, you will have to wait, as the schedules don’t get published until much nearer the time. I want to book Blue Star tickets for the first week in January, but they’re not online yet. (The Sunday/Monday sailings are, but not the other two per week; assuming the schedule stays the same as it is now.) Blue Star is the major line from Athens to here, and if that’s not putting up its dates for two months hence, there’s little or no chance the smaller lines will be putting up theirs for June and July. Calm down folks, there will be boats. There may also be the need for you to stay the night in Rhodes depending on what time your plane lands, but that’s par for the course.
