Silverfox on Symi

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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 01 Jul 2015, 20:09

Don't feel like writing a blog tonight....being honest! Been warm today! Plus nearly 8 miles walked!

I set off up the road to the heights which was actually easier than i thought and got some great pictures. I did manage to find the old path that takes you down near the flag above the castle. Liz stayed back at the apartment as our last big walk in Crete down the Samaria gorge is still talked about when she gets annoyed with me!

By the way I don't think people should do this walk with sandles like I did....the feet are still a little sore!

Back and refreshed with a little juice (no I don't drink petrol) we set off for a walk down to Pedi for a little lunch....the view was great but the food in the Kataras Taverna was well below what we have had elsewhere....we had the mixed meze starter for 2 which had all the dips some beans, tuna and tough octopus. We were not impressed....sorry but say as you see! We decided to retrieve the situation by catching the bus back to Gialos to get some custards from the Nicolas bakery! :) Bumped into a few who we were no doubt to meet a little later!

Once had we had a sit on a bench for a hour before the bus back up to Chorio...we did have to move quick to get the bus so most people must have thought we were late for the ferry!

Another few beers at the local with most of the usual suspects while the Greek workers were hard at it putting up new railings on the square so we didn't have to listen to each other talking the usual entertaining rubbish! :D Some more locals....very tired by their working day starting in the early hours were still managing to nod off whilst all this took place. Wish i'd videod the animation sequence by Neil and Toby. :D

After a short sit in the sun/cloud.....yes there was a little cloud we ventured down to the Zylygos and had a starter of the feta cheese fried in sesame seeds with honey followed by the Lamb with lemon potatoes with a litre of white. Another great meal...so despite lunch I feel we are doing great on the food front.

So back up for a Metaxa nightcap with Liz opting for the Ouzo.

Tomorrow....Lizs' birthday and our 33rd wedding anniversary so no plans made! Wonder if she knows where the Launderette is?

:D
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby Val » 02 Jul 2015, 10:02

Thanks for staying with it Steve. It must be a bit of a bind sometimes getting down to writing the old blog when so many Symi pleasures await.

Lovely moon photo. We had a beautiful clear night here as we'll. Never really got dark that night it seemed.

Have a great day on Liz's Birthday - whatever you decide to do, and enjoy your anniversary the two of you.

Special meal tonight maybe? Look forward to the next instalment.
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 02 Jul 2015, 17:54

May not do a blog tonight....already had too much food and drink....try to update tomorrow!

Allan you are a fine gentleman! You know why!

I hope to meet you one day!

:)
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby Val » 02 Jul 2015, 18:55

Don't blame you Steve. You're on holiday for God's sake. HAVE A GREAT NIGHT,
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 03 Jul 2015, 18:31

Avrio!
:D
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 04 Jul 2015, 04:58

Thursday was Lizs' birthday so she opened loads of cards she'd brought from home. If it had been my birthday they would have been left at home but i'm a typical man I suppose.

I think we had big plans for today but we've been really caught up in this holiday thing....relaxation. We just can't be bothered to do much at all. No trips to beaches, no major hikes in the hills and no boat trips. We are just relaxing which is very nice indeed.

Liz fancied breakfast so we made our way down to the Olive Tree to have the poached eggs on toast, which are very nice by the way! We then had a slow walk down the long road which Liz finds it easier on her knees but you do get some great views of the harbour that way too. We seem to be the only people doing this walk which I think is a shame.

It was a little windy this morning so our plans for a big meal tonight at the Windmill was once again re-thought so we made sure we had a nice lunch at To Spitiko with Liz having the sea bream and I had the Chicken Slouvaki...once again great food washed down with a litre of the house white. I did the slow walk back up the hill and Liz went for the bus meeting up at the Windmills before our usual afternoon drink at the Rainbow. We did think of going out later but we could not resist a Giros as we passed on the way back up to our apartments. A metaxa night cap was all that was needed.

I had planned to see the sunrise over Pedi on Friday but that never happened, i've been trying since we arrived but we are sleeping very well, too well, as I opened the shutters at after 9am to wake Liz. Another plan was to go to one of the beaches and once again it never happened. :D Avrio indeed!!!

Same as Thursday with a wander down to the Harbour and round to Tholos on the far corner where we had another feast of Stuffed peppers, Lemon potatoes, Feta parcels in honey and Symi Shrimps.

We have now hit a brick wall of eating we think....you can have too much on holiday and sometimes you need a break so we bought a bit of bread, ham and tomatoes to have with a quiet evening on the balcony and an early night to see that sunrise.....ps this was after me having a few beers at the Rainbow while Liz had a nap.

:)
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 04 Jul 2015, 05:14

Pedi sunrise Saturday morning!

I managed to get up early! :)

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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby SueO » 04 Jul 2015, 06:04

What a wonderful photo - definitely worth getting up early for! Have another great day.

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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby D and E » 04 Jul 2015, 07:54

Seriously impressed with you getting up early to catch the sunrise, Steve.

If we ever need a break from the wonderful Greek food Symi offers - it happened when we were there for three weeks :D - we head for The Dolphin just over the bridge at the harbour. Superb pizza and pasta.

Keep up that 100% record in Yianis Rainbow Bar :D
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby Gemma1 » 04 Jul 2015, 09:31

Great sunrise :D The only time I usually get up early enough to see it is on the last day when I've got to be up early to catch the early morning bus back to Rhodes lol. Hoping I won't have to get up as early in September as booked the night flight back - but will have to wait and see.

Another vote for the Dolphin. I usually eat there a couple of times when I'm on Symi as love pasta and the wine is very reasonable there too ;-)

Enjoy the rest of your trip :-)
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 04 Jul 2015, 18:32

Taken today on the way to St Nicks beach...

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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 06 Jul 2015, 09:47

As you can see Saturday morning we managed to get up early as i'd fallen asleep early Friday night after a simple night in with ham, cheese and tomatoes with crusty bread.

We set off down to Pedi which for people who have never been a nice easy walk down the hill. You can get the bus from either up top or down bottom :)

We had decided on a morning at the beach so carried on through Pedi to the right and up the little path to St Nicholas Beach. It is slightly awkward in places with a few steps into the sea and a little scramble over rocks at times. It was worth it to get some great pictures along the way of little boats and the Lizard which I shared a couple of posts back. We picked a sun bed near the little church and did a little sunbathing. They do charge 3 euro each bed but if you spend in the taverna you get 3 euro off for 15 euro spend so we had lunch which come to just over 30 Euro so we got our money back on the beds! :)

We had a cheese and ham omelette, without any ham in it, and chips a litre of wine and a large water. Once again very nice home made chips and great omelette...not bad for a little beach side taverna.

We had another hour after lunch in the sun and then went back over the hill to Pedi which only took us 20 minutes. We were going to go back on the boat but we were at the top of the hill as George came round the bay. We just caught the bus as we got back into Pedi and up to the rainbow bar for a beer or two. We have enjoyed our afternoon beer breaks with a chat alongside Neil, Jo and often a visit from Toby too. It was a hive of activity near the square as they were getting ready for a big wedding. We had planned to go the Georgios but with the amount of people expected at the wedding looking at the number of chairs we decided against that as they were providing the food. They had also carried loads of tables out of the Taverna for the event. So once again we had a simple night with bread, ham and cheese!

It may sound like we are being lazy but we are clocking up the miles which I will add up at the end of the holiday as my fitbit is recording it all.

Update from Sunday coming soon!

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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 08 Jul 2015, 19:20

I will get round to finishing the blog in the next day or so....sorry! :)
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby SueO » 09 Jul 2015, 06:26

Don't worry Silverfox - Symi has that effect on you eventually. Avrio is always the best time to get on with things ;)

Your blog has been great and photos fantastic - thanks.

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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby Mille » 09 Jul 2015, 12:59

Oh, Silverfox.
Your blog brought back so many happy memories!!

Thank you!
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby Kon » 10 Jul 2015, 02:17

Loving your blog Silverfox.Makes me feel like i'm there again.
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 11 Jul 2015, 13:55

Right let's try to finish the blog...

Sunday morning and we are still sleeping in far too much. At home we usually are up and around from 5am onwards but here we are sleeping very well.

We had a wander up to the castle and churches at the top of the hill after getting lost on the way as usual with a few dead ends encountered. It was very quiet with hardly anyone around. Chorio is so peaceful, so if anyone wants a quiet holiday and a relaxing time I would recommend staying up top to anyone. I took loads of photos for the collection before we headed back down to the square and down into Gialos for Liz to do a little shopping for little gifts to take back for friends and family.

It was getting very warm so it wasn't long before we were in Eva's coffee bar for a beer for me and a coffee for Liz which she commented on how excellent it was.

Lunch was at Oliva where I had the Giros and Liz had the Pork Souvlaki with more beer!

Liz was tired so off she went for the bus while I was enjoying the walk up the road with all the great views you get whilst getting much needed exercise, meeting up at the windmills. Not sure if i've mentioned but the bus costs 1.50 euro for any trip taken and you can pay the driver as you get on or off.

Yiannis has stopped asking what we want for drinks....he just brings them out now! I think I can say i'm a regular! :)

Liz was feeling a bit tired and decided to go back up early and have a rest ready for a meal out later.

Conversation with the usual suspects at the Rainbow often includes food and we still have lots of tavernas to try with days running out so fast.

After the last of the sun on the balcony we quickly got ready and went back to Georgio & Maria and had Shrimp Pasties, Mushrooms in garlic and wine, Meatballs and shared a Moussaka all washed down with white wine.

The timing was great as after we had finished it was off down the Kali Strata a little way for a free concert by Alexandra Koniak who was very good. We managed sitting on the steps for about one hour before we got so numb we had to leave. It was a great experience though to see a free concert in such a great setting!

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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 11 Jul 2015, 15:26

Monday and after another lie in (who knows how we will get up for work later on this weeK :D ) I went for a wander up past the old Windmills and up to the top of the hill to take yet more pictures. The weather is now on the rise so people be warned. Liz stayed at the apartments for a little relaxation and reading. I needed a cool drink when I got back! Not beer at this time in the morning too.

We decided on a lazy lunch at the Olive Tree where we finally tried a mixed vegetable quiche, ham & cheese sandwich, egg mayonnaise sandwich and some lovely coleslaw and to wash it down some of the homemade lemonade which we can highly recommend.

Liz wanted to take some of the herbs back home so we wandered down to the herb shop just below the Olive Tree to stock up on various little packets. The shop smell great as you get close. Another afternoon was spent down in Gialos wandering around watching the boats coming in and going out before stopping off for a cool drink in Eva's.

It does seem a little quieter this week and with a lot less migrants to be seen in or around the Police Station next to the tower. Don't let this put you off coming as they cause no problems and are very well behaved.

We had a strange conversation with an English lady who runs one of the shops as Liz was looking at a scarf with cats on. The lady insisted there was not many cats on Symi due to the welfare program which neuters many each year - she obviously does not go up to the village much as we have seen so many cats...in bins, in skips, under cars, on top of trucks, on balconies even one on a moped!

We had our usual relaxation at the Rainbow and I can't now see me losing the 100% record.

After our usual rest on the balcony we headed down to the Windmill as we had heard so many good things about the food. We were welcomed into the place by at least 3 cats! :D We went for broke tonight as we ordered more than any other meal we'd had.

We started with the Courgette Fritters, on Neils recommendation, and were not disappointed as they were superb as we were entertained by one of the cats who was throwing a small lizard into the air and biting the poor little thing. I did save him from death but I'm not sure if he would survive as he looked injured.

My main course was the chicken with saffron and orange, lightly flavoured with sumac and coriander with rice, while Liz had the pork with apple and Metaxa with krytheraki.

We went for dessert too with a chocolate torte with whiskey cream and a lemon cheesecake with berries all washed down with a litre of the house white.

This was our most expensive meal out at 58 Euro but I have to say the food is very very good!

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The Windmill
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 11 Jul 2015, 16:43

Tuesday and our last full day on Symi as we have to take the early ferry on Wednesday.

After another lazy start as we had both had indigestion throughout the night....nothing to do with the wonderful food at the Windmill, probably down to us being greedy yesterday!

We did manage the free donuts Savesti delivered to our door at breakfast time though!

We had a slow walk down, the road way, to the port to have a slow wander round taking in all the sights Symi as to offer. It really is a delight to just wander round looking in all directions. It is getting hotter by the day so it was soon time the call in Eva's for a coffee and a Mythos shandy.....yes I had a shandy!

Because of the indigestion we had decided to just have our main meal for our last day down in the harbour. Both us knew we had a long day to get home on Wednesday so were trying to be sensible!

We had our last meal at To Spitiko where we had the table at the front and we were well looked after by the wonderful Jordana. We started with the courgette fritters which were very good but not quite as good as the ones we had at the Windmill. Liz had the sea bream and I went for the lamb chops washed down with cold beer! Another great meal. If you are going to Symi To Spitiko really is a great place for food and to watch boats coming and going and you will be well looked after!

We had our last wander round before Liz went for the bus as I walked up that road again taking in all the views for the last time. :(

Our last session at the Rainbow with Yainnis, Neil, Toby and the lovely Jo. We really have enjoyed our chill out session with them all every afternoon and they are great company. Discussions were had on whether we would return - not something we really do as there are so many Greek islands to explore but there is something about Symi that really does capture your heart.

We said our goodbyes to all and Tobys' comment as we left was "see you in September" :D

A quiet night packing and finishing anything we could manage in the fridge and the rest of the Ouzo and Metaxa!

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Sea Bream teeth!
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Re: Silverfox on Symi

Postby silverfox » 11 Jul 2015, 17:09

Wednesday was an early start for the trip home. We were up just after 4am to make sure we were ready.

A quick shower and check and it was soon time to be down at the pick up point about 100 yards from the Sevasti Aprtments.

Even before the sunrise we were picked up at 5.30am before picking up at both Taxiarchis and Pedi Beach before making our way to the harbour.

There was more than I thought would be there at the ferry and we didn't have to wait long until Katja was there with our tickets.

We sat out on the ferry to watch the the coastline of Turkey as we crossed over to Rhodes.

In Rhodes the coach took us to the International which is a ten minute walk back to the old town. We left our cases and wandered off to explore for a couple of hours....the old town was just opening up with all the expected type of shops and English breakfast joints etc... we were not really impressed....take us back to Symi! :)

We had to be back for the coach at 11am so we were there a little early collected our cases and went to sit in the sun/shade at the pick up point.

A slight delay as the coach driver refused to move until Katja came and sent us all off....she was due to go to the airport on the next coach.

We arrived at the airport to longish queues which took a while to get checked in but at least we didn't have to wait long after we got through to departures.

Flight was slightly late but landed back in Manchester on time and we got through passport control and out of the airport within 30 mins so all good.

Traffic was bad on the way back though so got home about 6:50pm......English time...A long day!

I've enjoyed doing this blog and will try to draw a conclusion post about how we feel about Symi with some more pictures!

Please go if you are dithering it's a wonderful island!

:)

Steve and Liz
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