Category Archives: History

Symi and Nisyros: Back to old-fashioned island hopping

Posted on September 15, 2022 by BarryH

People often ask which is my favourite Greek island.  Given that I spend more time on Symi than any other, the natural assumption is that the answer is self-evident.  But it’s more complicated than that. True, I love the walking … Continue reading →

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Nisyros: rambling through history

Posted on October 7, 2021 by BarryH

A week of trekking around Nisyros.  So much to see.  So many familiar places to revisit.  Such a warm welcome from so many people. What impressed us first when we arrived on a day trip from Tilos in 2001, and … Continue reading →

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From the Hot Rock to The Hot Spot

Posted on September 19, 2021 by BarryH

After three weeks on the Hot Rock, I took advantage of a new ferry service and travelled to Nisyros for a week.  I have done this for a number of years but it has been hampered by the fact that … Continue reading →

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In the groove

Posted on September 12, 2021 by BarryH

On the Hot Rock for just over two weeks and getting into the swing of things. Walking in the mountains every day, increasingly long distances, increasingly strenuous, interspersing occasional easier days to allow recovery before the next big hit.  My … Continue reading →

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Greece, Symi: Remains of the past and a hidden valley

Posted on December 29, 2020 by BarryH

There are parts of Symi which are rarely seen but which at one time were hubs of activity.  I have long taken an interest on going ‘off-piste’, wandering around away from marked footpaths. In recent years I have taken an … Continue reading →

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Greece, Symi: there ……. and back!’

Posted on September 14, 2020 by BarryH

Despite a few nervous twitches as the UK government had Greece on the ‘watch list’ for potentially banning all except ‘essential travel’ I made it safely back to Symi, via Athens and Rhodes. Great to be there again.  Some things … Continue reading →

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Under the Covid Cosh: musings

Posted on April 29, 2020 by BarryH

Five weeks in, under the cosh since 23 March, and the major change is in the weather. For all that time it has been warm and sunny, the sunniest April on record in the UK.  A single overnight shower two … Continue reading →

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Greece, Nisyros: Heritage Island

Posted on February 26, 2020 by BarryH

When I was young, summer holidays were a week at my grandparents’ in a small mining village in rural Carmarthenshire.   I took every opportunity to escape the boredom of sitting around the house and walk the mile or so up … Continue reading →

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Happy New Year

Posted on December 31, 2019 by BarryH

New Years Day 3 years ago and this was my room on the top floor of the hotel we were staying in in Canadian Banff, sky visible through what had been the ceiling and the roof.  Evacuated at 02.30 into … Continue reading →

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Greece, Nisyros: The Island Underground

Posted on November 21, 2019 by BarryH

It’s not surprising that limestone Symi has an underground.  Nor is it surprising that with very little rainfall the caves seem to be all ‘fault-caves’ caused by rock movement along fault lines (see). The result is that they are too … Continue reading →

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