37:25.78N 24:56.45E Siros (Syros)
Siros (Syros)
Wednesday 17th June, 2015.
We motored out between the islands and sailed for an hour with the genoa until we lost the wind and then we had to motor sail the twelve miles left of the 20 miles. Just as we came near to the island we saw our first flying fish in a long time. The marina which has never been finished is just so empty and it was easy to find a space to pull along side with a view of the big town around the bay.
We had a pair of Pied Wagtails who had a nest under the wall just near where we had tied up. They worked hard bringing food back to their nest by first sitting on the fishing boat on the opposite pontoon to us and then jumping onto the old electricity post which had no life and then diving into the hole to the nest.
Thursday 18th June, 2015.
We were well fendered and with the wooden board protecting the fenders and the extra lines we were very safe from the wind. It gusts for hours and then it stops as if someone has turned it off suddenly. As it was sunny and we needed a walk we went into town to walk up the Ano Syros Catholic church on top of the western peak. Lots and lots of steps to the top but we made it. The view was wonderful and we sat on one of the church seats under the pine trees to rest. We were very lucky to see a pair of Swallowtail butterflies darting from one plant to another. The last ones we saw was in Corsica. A delightful place to sit and watch the boats and ferries coming and going between the islands.
The big houses are often left unrepaired. The walls are standing but there is often no roofs and the doors boarded up. These were obviously the shipping family homes which are just left now. As you walk along the roads you find little shops which have opened among the old homes. It is a fascinating city and well worth a visit.
Friday 19th June, 2015.
Windy night and we wake to even more wind but we are safe in this little unfinished marina. The supermarket lady told us it was in the wrong place and therefore no one wants to take it on. The locals with their fishing boats I am sure are very pleased as there are no fees to pay.
Jim choice we will climb up to the old castle at the top of the bigger mountain. On our way we came across the British War Graves of the 111 men who had died in the islands at the time of Gallipoli (1915-1918). Many of them were sailors. The cemetery is beautifully kept with each one having a rose bush or shrub by it.
We walked up the steps to the Vrontado districk on the eastern peak to the Byzantine Orthodox church of Anastasis on top of the hill which gave us views to Tinos and Mykonos. We stopped in one of the taverna’s and drank lots of water before another refreshment to get our breath before walking down again. We found out at the top there is a road up which winds around the peak but not so much fun as the steps. The houses on this peak are very presentable and although a lot look empty perhaps they are holiday homes for Greek people. Many have lovely sun terraces overlooking the whole bay.
Siros (Syros) is served by the big ferries and more people are visiting the island each year according to the tourist information.
Wednesday 17th June, 2015.
We motored out between the islands and sailed for an hour with the genoa until we lost the wind and then we had to motor sail the twelve miles left of the 20 miles. Just as we came near to the island we saw our first flying fish in a long time. The marina which has never been finished is just so empty and it was easy to find a space to pull along side with a view of the big town around the bay.
We had a pair of Pied Wagtails who had a nest under the wall just near where we had tied up. They worked hard bringing food back to their nest by first sitting on the fishing boat on the opposite pontoon to us and then jumping onto the old electricity post which had no life and then diving into the hole to the nest.
Thursday 18th June, 2015.
We were well fendered and with the wooden board protecting the fenders and the extra lines we were very safe from the wind. It gusts for hours and then it stops as if someone has turned it off suddenly. As it was sunny and we needed a walk we went into town to walk up the Ano Syros Catholic church on top of the western peak. Lots and lots of steps to the top but we made it. The view was wonderful and we sat on one of the church seats under the pine trees to rest. We were very lucky to see a pair of Swallowtail butterflies darting from one plant to another. The last ones we saw was in Corsica. A delightful place to sit and watch the boats and ferries coming and going between the islands.
The big houses are often left unrepaired. The walls are standing but there is often no roofs and the doors boarded up. These were obviously the shipping family homes which are just left now. As you walk along the roads you find little shops which have opened among the old homes. It is a fascinating city and well worth a visit.
Friday 19th June, 2015.
Windy night and we wake to even more wind but we are safe in this little unfinished marina. The supermarket lady told us it was in the wrong place and therefore no one wants to take it on. The locals with their fishing boats I am sure are very pleased as there are no fees to pay.
Jim choice we will climb up to the old castle at the top of the bigger mountain. On our way we came across the British War Graves of the 111 men who had died in the islands at the time of Gallipoli (1915-1918). Many of them were sailors. The cemetery is beautifully kept with each one having a rose bush or shrub by it.
We walked up the steps to the Vrontado districk on the eastern peak to the Byzantine Orthodox church of Anastasis on top of the hill which gave us views to Tinos and Mykonos. We stopped in one of the taverna’s and drank lots of water before another refreshment to get our breath before walking down again. We found out at the top there is a road up which winds around the peak but not so much fun as the steps. The houses on this peak are very presentable and although a lot look empty perhaps they are holiday homes for Greek people. Many have lovely sun terraces overlooking the whole bay.
Siros (Syros) is served by the big ferries and more people are visiting the island each year according to the tourist information.