Category Archives: Landscape

Symi: the island experience

Posted on October 16, 2013 by BarryH

I sometimes wonder whether islands which are connected to the ‘mainland’ are truly still islands.  It’s complicated.  When we went to the Isle of Skye BTB (Before The Bridge) it had an intrinsic separateness even though there was only a … Continue reading →

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Symi: a gorgeous walk

Posted on October 12, 2013 by BarryH

Normally I’m obsessive about tidying up behind me.  Food shopping gets put in the cupboard or fridge as soon as I walk in through the door.  Clothes get folded or hung as I take them off.  But I hate unpacking … Continue reading →

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Symi: below the surface

Posted on October 6, 2013 by BarryH

It has always struck me as odd that Symi, an island made up almost entirely of limestone, has no cave systems, or at least none that I could find out about. The ‘Round-the-Island’ boat trips advertised from the harbour offers … Continue reading →

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Symi: going off-piste

Posted on October 2, 2013 by BarryH

The top of Vigla, the highest mountain on Symi, is always a little disappointing.  There is a whole array of telecommunication masts on the adjoining peak, with a road for their construction and maintenance bulldozed on the south side.  A … Continue reading →

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Greece: more high speed island hopping

Posted on September 28, 2013 by BarryH

Now that inter-island travel is both more rapid and more reliable it’s a viable option to  hop from island to island for brief visits and sometimes when moving on it’s possible to make connexions without an overnight stay where there … Continue reading →

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Nisyros: last glance before moving on

Posted on September 25, 2013 by BarryH

Many people ask which is my favourite island, which one out of the many I like and revisit  I prefer the most.  I’ve come to the conclusion that the answer is Nisyros.  Nisyros is a volcano, far less well known … Continue reading →

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Nisyros: probably the most dramatic walk in the Aegean

Posted on September 22, 2013 by BarryH

I kid you not, this walk/trek/hike takes some beating.  But it’s not a Sunday afternoon stroll in the park.  Some short sections are loose scree, route-finding can be difficult, it’s sustained, and it’s wiltingly hot in summer.  However, it’s a … Continue reading →

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Posted on September 18, 2013 by BarryH

Nisyros: alien images on the Lava Coast After two weeks of trekking in the mountains around Nisyros every day, much of it in noon heat, I was ready for an easier walk.  I headed south along the west coast of … Continue reading →

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Nisyros: Dragon Coast

Posted on September 9, 2013 by BarryH

The paper tablecloth in Irinis restaurant in the old square had a map of the island.  Sipping my wine and waiting the few minutes before my fresh goats cheese, tomato and cucumber starter arrived, I glanced at it idly.  Annotated … Continue reading →

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Nisyros: cue volcano …. ACTION

Posted on September 7, 2013 by BarryH

Let’s face it!  What do we expect from a volcano?  Right! Some action!!  Most would happily forego an eruption and spewing lava but a bit of gurgling and hissing does the trick. The Greek island of Nisyros is a volcano … Continue reading →

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