So, during that two weeks of my first ever visit to Symi I very quickly felt like a local and very very much at home. Towards the end of the first week I remember one day when I woke very early and as I relaxed at The Sunflower with a delicious and healthy breakfast of OJ, croissants and coffee, and watching the beautiful harbour life go by, I fell into another trance as I imagined which way I might journey to St Nikolas beach today... I'd been there after spotting it briefly from the Poseidon on our return to the harbour, and as I wasn't on a strict budget, I'd taken a taxi boat from the harbour and absolutely delighted in the trip as I watched Yialos slowly become a distant scene,and then dropping off some people at St Marina and then some of us at St Nikolas, as others stayed on board for Nanou or Marathounda...

St Nikolas is so so lovely ... A small and sandy bay with water as still as a photograph ( apart from when a large ferry goes by then you get to enjoy a float in the tremendous waves!!), little trees for shade and to hang up your wet smalls to dry, the taverna run by Michaelis and his wife Irini and cousin George and their gorgeous children, all of them always smiling and laughing, a pretty little church and of course the resident goats. A beautiful, relaxing and fun filled day is always guaranteed as you might lay around all day long with a little swim here and there with intervals at the taverna for some delicious home cooked dishes; I nearly always had a Greek salad, bread, and a beer, but their menu is very extensive as is their bar! The rocks are good for jumping or diving into that clear blue sea, and the goats become an integral part of your day as if you have anything at all edible within your belongings the goats will eat it whilst you are in the sea and warning shouts can be heard that your picnic has gone! One day the goats ate my packet of Assos International (my cigarettes - yes I smoke), and well I laughed, as I had a large supply as cigarettes are cheap in Greece...

And in my dream I imagined all the ways I might get there today. A taxi boat from Yialos,or the Symi bus up the mountain road to the village (Xorio) and down to Pedi then a gentle walk along the well-worn rocky path, or a walk up The Kalistrata and down through Xorio to Pedi and then a short taxi boat ride around the bay, or a walk around Yialos and up The Lazy Steps meeting The Kalistrata half-way and a stop for a breather in the village and a drink at Lefteris with a chance to take in the pretty and gentle sights of village life.

See you there!!