Category Archives: Spring

Symi: Spring and early Summer landscapes

Posted on July 6, 2017 by BarryH

I think that is the longest gap between blog posts on Barry’s Ramblings. Force of a range of circumstances. I had to return home to sort out some of the issues still unresolved when I flew back to Symi in … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring | Tagged deserted village, Greece, Gria, monasteries, Nimborio Bay, Pedi Bay, Pedi Valley, ponds, Symi | 2 Comments

Symi: A bit of colour

Posted on June 8, 2017 by BarryH

One of the effects of climate change which, despite what some may say, scientific evidence shows overwhelmingly is not a myth, is increased unpredictability in the weather. Even on the Greek islands you can’t assume that usual climate patterns will … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Mountains, Nature, Spring | Tagged allium, crown daisies, Dragon Arum, elephant garlic, Flora, Greece, hollyhocks, Holy Orchid, Oregano, poppies, star clover, Star of Bethlehem, Symi, thyme, wild flowers | 1 Comment

Symi: it’s good to be back

Posted on May 7, 2017 by BarryH

I didn’t manage to get the issues sorted out which prevented me coming back to Symi in April as planned but I bit the bullet, cut the Gordion knot, took the bull by the horns, and came back on 3 … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring, Wildlife | Tagged Butterflies, Dragon Arum, flora and fauna, Greece, poppies, Symi, thistles, tortoise, views | 1 Comment

Symi, Greece: Looking back and looking forward

Posted on March 26, 2017 by BarryH

In early April in recent years I have headed to Greece for the summer. Not possible this year because of various ongoing issues. There is still a degree of uncertainty about when I’ll get back to the islands but, trying … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring, Wildlife | Tagged fortifications, Greece, Holy Orchid, limestone landscape, mantis, Oertzeni lizard, Orchis sancta, Scarce Swallowtail, Symi, water sources, wild flowers | 2 Comments

Symi: not-so-wild walks

Posted on April 27, 2016 by BarryH

Well, I made it to Symi. At first the weather was great, sunny with temperatures mid to high twenties. One day it dropped to a chilly low twenties with heavy overnight rain depositing half of the Sahara on the island. … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring | Tagged bush legumes, cornflower, cyclamen, Dragon Arums, Flora, Greece, hollyhock, Pedi, Pedi Bay, razor limestone, spring flowers, Symi, Symi harbour, Yialos | 2 Comments

Canadian Rockies and Greek Islands: looking back, looking forward

Posted on March 9, 2016 by BarryH

So far 2016 has had its share of setbacks. A minor viral infection in January which kept me indoors in Banff for two day and impaired activities for the rest of the stay. A skiing accident resulting in a dislocated … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Nature, Photography, Reflections, Spring, Wildlife, Winter | Tagged Banff, Bow River, Bow River Falls, Canada, canadian rockies, Forty Mile Creek, Greece, Lappatoniou Castle, Snow and ice, squirrel, Symi, thermal springs, Vermilion Lakes | 2 Comments

Symi: the end of Spring

Posted on June 8, 2015 by BarryH

A wet winter and a cool spring made for an even more than usually vivid display of colour and life on Symi, the island reputed to be the hottest and driest in Greece. In the summer months it is bleached … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Nature, Photography, Spring, Wildlife | Tagged crickets, dragonflies, Flora, flora and fauna, Greece, Oertzeni lizard, photography, Red Darter, Symi, tortoise, unpredictable weather, wild flowers, wildlife | 2 Comments

Symi: coast to coast

Posted on May 27, 2015 by BarryH

There is a certain smug satisfaction in casually dropping into conversation in the taverna over an end-of-trek beer “I walked across the island today”. OK, so on a small island like Symi it’s not exactly Wainwright’s 192-mile epic but it … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring | Tagged Agios Vasilios, arid flora, coast to coast, Flora, Greece, Greek Island Walks, herbs, hiking, mantis, photography, Sage, Symi, trekking | 2 Comments

Symi: the island in colour

Posted on May 17, 2015 by BarryH

Most visitors to Symi come in the summer months. During the day they lie sweating in the sun coated in Factor 50 and then, showered and perfumed, in the evening sashay to the taverna or restaurant of choice. And have … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring | Tagged April, Flora, flora and fauna, Greece, photography, Scarce Swallowtail, spring, Symi, Turkish Ghecko | 1 Comment

Symi: a trek beyond the economic fringe

Posted on May 5, 2015 by BarryH

The deserted village of Gria set in limestone crags high above Pedi Bay has fascinated me ever since first ‘discovering’ it 15 years ago. The fact that it has a permanent pond, seemingly lost not only to sight but to … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, History, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring | Tagged deserted villages, dought, Drakos Fortification, Greece, Greek Spiny Spurge, Gria, Holy Orchid, orchids, Pyramid Orchid, Red Darter, Symi, Tongue Orchid, water, wild gladiolus, Zoodohout Pighis monastery | 7 Comments