Cheeky September Week

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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby silverfox » 09 Sep 2018, 19:49

Saturday update – I failed to mention on Saturdays blog whilst sat at Elpidas the Coast Guard boat berthed with around 15 refugees and we heard somone mention that one of them needed medical help. The rest were walked around the harbour to the far side where there is a port office where they will stay until a ferry takes them on their onward journey. We haven’t seen refugees arriving for a couple of years.

I forgot to post a picture of the wonderful beef stifado at Merakles.

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Beef Stifado


Ps for Saturday Fitbit says 8.7 miles…..lazy old bugger!


Sunday

This will be boring as we are going to have a very lazy day!

Up and about early and out to see the Army changing the greek flag in the Harbour. 7.30am!

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Sunday morning


Then the short walk to comfy seats for cafe latte and toast followed by a wander around the shops where we found the houses that D&E liked and Liz perused a dress for our 2 year old grandaughter Ruby but at 35 euros thought better of it as it may not fit and even it it did probably wouldn’t get much chance to wear it as the good weather back home is probably coming to an end. A wander back up to the square and a small pie and soft drink at the Bakery.

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Are these the ones D&E?


More refreshments at Elpidas where we started with soft drinks, then beer and ended with Ouzo accompnided by the usual very nice mezes….you honestly can’t get much better than this place!

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Stuffed Vine leaves


Stayed a little too long so a brisk walk around for the bus and of course I did my “power walk” up the road….a few days of me walking on Symi does really boost my fitness levels despite all the food and drink! It was actually a power walk today!

Please, anyone who is a Symi virgin (haha) please take water with you anywhere, it really can catch you out with the heat and the hills/steps.

A quiet start at the Rainbow but gathered pace and Tobys mum starting a new trend with Liz and Libby ordering Rum Mojitos with more greenery than most Greek Salads! :)

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So much laughter and great people to meet at the Rainbow bar! :)

We passed on most of our lives savings onto Yianni and made our way down the steps….the light at this time of night is great and we just love walking down instead of up! (This statement is not entirely true as most of you will know!)

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Dolphin bar….same meal as the other night…..not quite as good!

Supermarket for night caps and juice and back home.

Early night!

Yes very boring to some.

We loved it!
Last edited by silverfox on 09 Sep 2018, 20:06, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby silverfox » 09 Sep 2018, 19:50

Lisa B wrote:Seems so much to do, I guess if we just ask we'll find these walks/paths? The food is looking amazing! :D


Just ask and we will try to help!

Most of the food is really good!

:)
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby silverfox » 09 Sep 2018, 19:53

D and E wrote:You pose a very interesting question Silverfox which we have often pondered whilst sitting in our fav seats.

What is it about the Rainbow ? Well for us it is the simplicity. There are no gimmicks. It serves drinks and does nothing else (OK there are ices and ice creams in the freezer). It attracts the locals at the locals table. And Yannis has this quiet dry sense of humour. To us it’s perfect.

What is it about Symi. Again much thought has been given over the years as to why we return again and again and it is the friendliness and generosity of spirit of the Symi people that make it so special for us.

Great to see the Dolphin being mentioned and we definitely concur on Katsaras where the setting clearly demands a premium :shock:

Have a great Symi weekend.


We still can't descibe to others how it makes you feel but I suppose some have other places that do the same for them.

It's all about the senses and the contentment and relaxation....still no words!

:)
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby Lisa B » 09 Sep 2018, 20:06

Silverfox, I think you leave as we arrive. :)
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby silverfox » 09 Sep 2018, 20:18

Lisa B wrote:Silverfox, I think you leave as we arrive. :)

We leave on Wednesday morning but there are many nice people who will offer wisdom and advice....ignore all of that and just enjoy yourself....you can't help it on Symi :D
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby Lisa B » 09 Sep 2018, 20:57

Thank you Silverfox, we arrive Saturday. We'll raise a glass or two to you as we visit places you've mentioned ;)
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby Allan » 09 Sep 2018, 21:44

Lisa B wrote:Thank you Silverfox, we arrive Saturday. We'll raise a glass or two to you as we visit places you've mentioned ;)

Actually, I think you arrive as I leave but silverfox is right, chat to people and decide whether to take any notice of their advice or not. Either way you will enjoy yourself!
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby Lisa B » 09 Sep 2018, 21:53

Thanks Allan, sad that we'll miss you, you've been such a part of our plans. x
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby D and E » 10 Sep 2018, 06:55

Thanks for highlighting “the house” shop Silverfox - that will be getting a visit for the end of season sale.

Enjoy your last couple of days.

We need to start thinking about ferries today - the Sebeco or the Skiadeni via Panormitis. E pointed out that some of the mentions of the Sebeco on social media suggest it may be more of an “adventure” but then we remember the early ANES boats :shock:
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby silverfox » 10 Sep 2018, 19:53

The Sebeco was a bit bumpy for the first half but fine if you prefer the timing.

We do prefer the big ferrys and we have just heard we are back on the Patmos but early (5am at the clock tower) and a few hours on Rhodes at the Anixis again.
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby silverfox » 10 Sep 2018, 20:28

Monday

Sometimes in life you need to give yourself a challenge and today I needed to do something that i’ve always wanted to do - so an earlyish start after a shower just after 8.30am I set off with a rucksack calling off at the supermarket before climbing the old steps as we call them. I’m sure these steps have got steeper and I was overtaken by a much younger man and to be honest I didn’t care.

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The old steps


Onwards through to the top of the village and on to the donkey track that winds it way up to the road. The track is pretty poor in places so if you do attempt take care and wear better shoes than me! I needed to take several rests to get this far and I finally made the road. I was so tired at this point that I did nealry turn back down the road but carried on upwards taking on loads of water as I walked. Finally I made it up and over the last corner and the road finally starts to head down hill and on the next corner I take the small concrete road off to my left and once again start climbing steeply. Its further that I thought (isn’t it always) Finally I reach my goal!

THE VIGLA - the highest point on Symi. (where all the communication masts are as you look up)

After a moment getting my breath and taking in the magnificent views I thought it was probably a good idea to text Liz and let her know where I was in case of any problems. I hadn’t actually told her where I was going as she would have probably tried to stop me.

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The view from the Vigla


After a short rest and photos I started my long walk back and the views back down are incredible!

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No Big Yin either!


As I reached Chorio I texted Liz again to meet up for lunch in Olive Tree. She had spent the morning in Pedi. I had fruit with yogurt and honey and Liz went for a BLT and I spent my time trying to re-hydrate!

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Olive Tree


All was well so we made our way up the few steps (that was painful) to Yiannis Rainbow bar where the strange but yet wonderful time warp happened with great company, laughter and beer taking the minutes away so quickly.

If you are new to Symi please try this bar, it’s simple, no food but you may get a few crisps and just say hello to anyone and they will most likely end up your friends.

It’s good that we are not the last to leave (you know who you are) and we made our way down the Kali Strata, which in it’s self is one of the wonders of the world, and made our way to get a bit of cash out in case we needed on our last day.

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Kali Cats


An early meal at To Spitiko without the delightful Jordana, which felt strange, but the lads did great and we had a wonderful Tzatziki followed by a superb lightly battered Sole and chips…..oh and some white wine! :) News is Jordana is fine but needs a few days rest….we so hope she does!

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The wonderful Sole


A lovely meal and we had a liesurly walk around to the clock tower stopping off to phone son number 1 along the way.

Catch up with son number 2 before trying to catch up on the blog with Metaxa night caps.

I’m tired.

Fitbit says 11 miles….but they were very steep miles up and down!

Another great day on a very steep rock.
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby Gemma1 » 11 Sep 2018, 07:40

Another great report silver fox :D I haven't 'climbed' the Vigla since 2014 but intend to do it again this year whilst I'm still fit enough ;) . The temperatures should have dropped a bit by the time I arrived so hopefully it won't be too strenuous - and of course I don't have as far to go as you as won't have to climb the Kataraktis first ;) Last time I walked up the Vigla I made the mistake of trying to come back the 'scenic way' past Ag Ioannis and down the hillside. I got hopelessly lost and had to retrace my steps. Luckily some kind soul stopped and took pity on me as I was walking back so I didn't have to walk all the way back to Horio.

Enjoy your last day on Symi :)
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby silverfox » 12 Sep 2018, 08:29

Tuesday

Our last full day and I thought i'd have a complete rest, so inspired by a post on Symi Dream – http://www.symidream.com/

I set of to Nimborio up over the hill again making sure I had enough water for there and back.

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The mission is to see the mosaics, and the wonderful walk of course! I have tried to find these a few years back but never quite managed it, perhaps it’s my total lack of direction...or the beer?

Anyway after another great walk over the top I finally found my way up the old river bed and up to the church.

Well I was warned that it’s not spectacular and they were right but I did make may way up to the catacombs above the church which were very much the same.

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Now I’m not trying to dismiss or belittle these important sites but we’ve seen so many spectacular places on many Greek islands over the years!

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So after so much excitement I walked back to Yialos along the road with a little cloud to keep me cooler and met Liz who had walked round and sat on a bench a little up the hill from Nos Beach. We sat a while watching the boats coming and going.

It was too early to eat so we walked back to our apartments for me to change into something that was not wet and then had a slow walk back to Odyssia where we had another nice welcome from the waitress who remembered us although we had not eaten there for a long time.

We went for the Corgette Fritters and the biggest Moussaka we’ve ever been served. They were huge and enough to feed four people. We were given our second drinks on the house which was nice!

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A slow wander round back into comfy seats for one last time before it was time for Liz to get the bus.

I went for my last walk up the road trying to take in all the views and soak them into my memory enough to last me until we return. Although breezy the heat hit me as I tuned by the Windmills and down into Chorio.

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Our usual welcome from Yianni with my beer being poured before I even sit down! After another wonderful late afternoon we said our farewells to many people before Allan and Julie took us to Taxiarchis to show us their apartment with great views down into Pedi. It’s certainly put another accomodation on our list to look at in the future.
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Down the very quiet Kali Strata and round to Kantirimi near the bridge for Giros Pitta and Ouzo for us both.

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Giros Pitta


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Ouzo


We finished the last of the Metaxa back at the apartments before quickly packing for our early start in the morning.

Wednesday

Up and by the clock tower for 5am before being taken round to the new jetty for our fast and steady trip back to Rhodes on the Blue Star Patmos and dropped of at Anixis all before 8am in the morning. A full English Breakfast to keep us going and we await our trip to the airport at 12.30pm.

Would we go for only a week again and stay down? Yes we would but we still prefer the peace up top overall.

Another wonderful week on Symi comes to an end!

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Blue Star Patmos


I hope all you that are still on the rock and those due to arrive enjoy yourselves as much as we have and have the time to share a little with us all.

Steve & Liz
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby orangepeel » 12 Sep 2018, 12:57

Thank You yet again for a wonderful blog . We arrive on Friday, staying with Frank and his lovely family again at the Taxiarchas. I will attempt to do a blog myself this year, can't promise anything , and i'm sure it wont be as entertaining as all the other's. " Keep Um Peeled"
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby Lisa B » 12 Sep 2018, 17:44

Thanks Silverfox, enjoyed your blog once again. Be treading in your footsteps from Saturday. Orangepeel, I'll leave the writing up to you and can't wait to see what you get up to. ;)
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby silverfox » 12 Sep 2018, 20:28

orangepeel wrote:Thank You yet again for a wonderful blog . We arrive on Friday, staying with Frank and his lovely family again at the Taxiarchas. I will attempt to do a blog myself this year, can't promise anything , and i'm sure it wont be as entertaining as all the other's. " Keep Um Peeled"


Back home :(

Sounds great Orangepeel...looking forward to that already.

Ps The Burger King is now open at Rhodes Airport and there's even a Greek place where you can buy Beef Stifado and even Giros Pitta!

We had neither!

:)
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby D and E » 12 Sep 2018, 20:54

Very much enjoyed your week in paradise - thanks as ever for sharing with your excellent pics throughout.

We are now on countdown. D’s last day at work tomorrow assuming he clears all the final bits & pieces and then E finishes Friday. A family day out on the train to Shrewsbury on Saturday including the annual trip on the river boat. Sunday and we had better start packing as Monday sees Zoë being taken to the cattery. Morning train to Luton Airport on Tuesday - first time flying from Luton. Staying over and then EasyJet flight on Wednesday afternoon and a stop over in the Plaza Rhodes before heading over first thing Thursday.

Can’t promise to put in your miles but will do our best to keep folk amused with our usual daily musings.
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby Gemma1 » 13 Sep 2018, 06:34

I've really enjoyed reading your blog silverfox - thanks for sharing your holiday with us again :D

It's interesting to hear that you can now get a gyros pitta at Rhodes Airport. I've got a late night flight back and plan to eat in Rhodes before leaving for the airport but if I'm feeling peckish I might try a pita to keep me going until I arrive home :)

Looking forward to reading more Symi blogs before I arrive on the rock a week on Sunday :D
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby Lisa B » 13 Sep 2018, 12:55

We'll be landing Sat morning. Thanks to all of you for your blogs, info and chat on our build up to our holiday. Hope to maybe recognise some of you during our stay. Happy to share a glass or two. Thanks :)
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Re: Cheeky September Week

Postby silverfox » 13 Sep 2018, 19:24

D and E wrote:
Can’t promise to put in your miles but will do our best to keep folk amused with our usual daily musings.


I walked a total of 54.53 miles so if you are there 3 weeks.....? :P

Looking forward to your musings very much! :) And of course any of the other lucky late season visitors!

Just as a warning to all you late visitors, we got attacked by flies on Rhodes and there seems to be reports on Symi that they have arrived there so you will needs loads of mozzy protection. Our legs are so itchy!

A nice picture of this special place on our way in last week just to get you all in the mood!

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Symi
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