September 2013 - Sunday 1st - Kalo Mina everyone. Now we're into September, the weather seems to have followed along with a slightly cooler day and even a cooler night.
There aren't too many people on the island now, you can especially notice this on the weekends, when traditionally, even during the summer, it's noticeably more quiet than through week days. It's a great time of the year. The more moderate temperatures, make it ideal to enjoy the walks and days on the beach, that mean more than just sunburn.
Left - The stage at Platrithia square confuses me a little. I understand the jolly figures. I also understand the dolphins, but what have dalmations to do with any of this? No idea.
Left & Below - Krouvoulia 2 beach is still one of the most popular northern beaches. There are always plenty of cars parked along the road side.
Below - Yefuri for brunch was a very popular Sunday morning experience. The restaurant was quite full. When you're finished with brunch, you can take a few steps to Catherine Andrews Rombotis studio, where she exhibits and sells her paintings of Ithaca.
Left & Below - Very colourful fishing nets in Frikes this afternoon. Yellow is the usual colour, but today, red and green really made the bayside pop with colour.
Left - Exoghi village taken from the Platrithia Square.
Tuesday 3rd - It's not what we would expect from September, but the weather has cooled dramatically and the skies alternate between sunny and grey. I did read that Europe that the weather forecast predicted one of the coldest Autumns on record, and by the looks of things, this forecast may have it right.
Yesterday, from the north of the island to the south, we didn't pass a single car. Things really have slowed down. There is still some activity in the main village of Vathy however, the streets were buzzing and the square was full in the morning. It was Monday, so that shouldn't be surprising. Monday is the day most northerners head south for their chores.
Left - View from Hani.
Left - A beautiful old boat in Vathy harbour, despite the grey sky and sea, it's still a wonderful sight.
Below - Sitting in the village square has less to do with talking and enjoying friend's company, and more to do with catching up with facebook, email and the news online, whether by laptop, ipad, or phone.
Above - The good old fashioned newspaper still gets a look in.
Today, after a cloudy and grey start, the sun does seem to be winning the skies. Let's hope it continues this way. Still quite a few people around that would be very disappointed should the swimming stop.
Wednesday 4th - The weather has settled again, so today we have a warm, sunny, blue-sky day, ideal for all the summer things we love to do. Around the baysides, most of those things involve boats, whether yachts, speed boats or daily cruises as (below Left) the Wednesday boat trip to Atokos, which is run by Mark and Lilia from Perahori, together with the Albatros boat, usually achored in Vathy. Each Wednesday this crew heads out for a picnic and swim on Atokos island. If you're not in Vathy, then don't despair, the boat also makes a stop to pick up passengers in Frikes. Best to book this boat trip in advance as there's a maximum of only around 20 people per trip. Definitely a worthwhile experience if you like sea and picnics.
Above - Sometimes when you look up, you notice big rocks. The one above looks precariously postioned to drop at any time.
Above - The crystal clear waters of Ithaca, are a definite attraction to the island. It's not often the waters are this transparent, right on a village bayside.
Left - The floating jetty in Frikes has long been an issue, even before it broke, but now it's been broken a few years, Ithaca should really make some plans to have it fixed. Frikes is a popular stop on the yachting route.
It's just the most perfect time to be on Ithaca, very little traffic, beaches to take your pick from and the locals, much more relaxed than in August, when everyone is run off their feet.
Enjoy your Ithacan holiday online, if you can't be here in person.
Above - The little lane and church as you head toward cemetary beach, Filiatro, at the edge of Kioni toward the windmills. Always a traditional and colourful sight on a summers day.
Thursday 5th - I thought after yesterday's glorious weather, that it would continue, at least through to today, but it was not to be. Today, is again, mostly cloudy and quite a bit cooler than what we would expect for September.
Left - Never paid much attention before, but yesterday I noticed that one of the Day Trippers going into Kioni actually has a ramp it lets down for it's passengers to dive into the clear waters of the bay.
Midweek on Ithaca is still a very busy time. Yachters and day trippers colour up the baysides quite nicely.
Above - An Ithacan WC. After some of the emails complaining about my putting Bulgarian photographs online when I should be putting just Ithaca photos up, made me respond with that I would and will, post any photo that interests me, whether it be Ithaca, Bulgaria or a toilet. Well, I finally found a toilet worth putting online, one that's in natural surrounds, clean and is different from your every day loo.
Below - An afternoon at cemetary beach in Kioni is a really nice way to spend a summer's day. There's water, shade and a cantina. Now that I've personally experienced the food, I can tell you without reservation that it's really nice. Very much worth a visit. We headed along with George's (Spavento Cafe Bar in Kioni) birthday. Had a lovely lunch in very pleasant surrounds.
Below - Wednesday night is a big one for Fiorendino Bar in Frikes with yachters and their crew and reps, stripping off the day to continue their wild life, dancing on the bar.
Only have one thing to say. "Keep your clothes on!"
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