Tag Archives: Symi

Symi: Summertime blues …. and getting it wrong again.

Posted on June 25, 2024 by BarryH

I began this post at the end of May Written in 1935 for Porgy and Bess, George Gerswin’s ‘Summertime’ is the most covered song in the world, probably in excess of 25,000 times.  Eddie Cochran wrote and sang ‘Summertime Blues’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Grey Britain, Grumpy Old Men, Health and humour, Hiking, Mountains, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Nisyros: cause and philosophical effect

Posted on November 2, 2023 by BarryH

When the mythical apple mythically fell on Isaac Newton’s head, he formulated the Law of Gravitation, hypothesizing that not only did the apple descend to his head but that the earth on which he was sitting, rose up to meet … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Health and humour, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Reflections, Uncategorized, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Symi: and now for something ……… unexpected

Posted on July 1, 2023 by BarryH

One of the things I have learned over the years visiting, travelling and trekking around Greece, and make a point of in my book ‘Greece Unpackaged’, is to deal with the unexpected. If things don’t go as planned, find a … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Health and humour, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Weather, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wales, Canada, Greece – Looking back, looking forward.

Posted on April 22, 2023 by BarryH

A few weeks ago, we had snow at home.  First time in 2 years.  They had snow on Symi since we had any!! I woke up with 2 inches on the ground and still snowing heavily.  I checked the forecast … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Greece, Grey Britain, Hiking, History, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Pontypool, Wales, Weather, Wildlife, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Symi:  ….. and now for something completely different.

Posted on October 30, 2022 by BarryH

Post upgraded to include all intended photos Dhafni Cave Initial discovery: Nicholas Shum Reconnaissance and set-up: Steve Waters and Barry Hankey Descent Team: Nicholas Shum, Barry Hankey, Ejaz Shinwarri Given that Symi, the ‘Hot Rock’, is made of limestone, there … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Symi:  ….. and now for something completely different.

Posted on October 21, 2022 by BarryH

Dhafni Cave Initial discovery: Nicholas Shum Reconnaissance and set-up: Steve Waters and Barry Hankey Descent Team: Nicholas Shum, Barry Hankey, Ejaz Shinwarri Given that Symi, the ‘Hot Rock’, is made of limestone, there are few caves in comparison to limestone … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

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 →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, History, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Symi: back on the Hot Rock

Posted on May 30, 2022 by BarryH

Back on Symi.  Been here two weeks now. A bit trepidatious about the travel chaos expected at Manchester Airport so turned up 4 hours ahead of flight departure. No queue at all at check-in, shortest queue at security ever.  Waiting … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring, Uncategorized, Weather, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Symi, Stockport: Then, now and soon-to-be

Posted on March 13, 2022 by BarryH

The Brexit Bonus has nowhere-near met cynically manipulated expectations.  Quite the opposite.  It has fallen far short and a realistic assessment is that it will continue to do so, despite the Ress-Mogg Magic Wand. One of the negative impacts, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Grey Britain, Nature, Photography, Spring, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Symi: Autumn life

Posted on November 24, 2021 by BarryH

Back home in Grey Britain now.  Warmer than average for this time of year, cloud acting as insulating blanket kept temperatures up through much of November – but spirits down. Mostly between what mountaineers call ‘claggy’ and ‘very claggy’ – … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Greece, Grey Britain, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment