What a wonderful place to wake up in! Sunlight streaming though the windows with the promise of a new day floating on the light breeze.

Each morning begins with a walk down the hill to the harbourside where we savour yoghurt and honey and/or cream pastries. Then we explore until we are in need of refreshments (one day went to Galissas Beach, another to Ano Syros, the medieval town on the hill) and then plonk ourselves in a cafe, usually by the port, watching the spectacle of the ferries coming and going.

We are staying in Ermoupoli, which is the capital of Syros and of the Cyclades.  It consists of neo-classical buildings, old crumbling mansions and little box-like houses that cascade all the way down to the waterfront. Maria, the owner of our latest abode, Pefkakia Studios, is wonderful. She loves the Rykersaurus and has been spoiling him with homemade biscuits, ice cream and fruit juices. You really can’t beat Greek hospitality.

We have actually stayed in Syros before in the same area and had really enjoyed it, hence the return trip with the little dinosaur. However this time we have an extended stay (seven nights) so have really got under the skin of the place (as it has got under ours).

Rykersaurus’ favourite place is Miaoulis Square outside the opulent-looking City Hall, which is about 100 metres in length and is bordered by cafes. He isn’t lured by the cafes, but rather the massive space to express himself! One night, he had a ride in an electric car, which he was amazingly good at – even when he was looking at us, rather than at the track! The other evenings, he simply runs circuits around the square, dodging balls and other kids on bikes or scooters. During the day, the most frequent occupants of the square, apart from Ryker, are pigeons. There are droves of them hanging around, waiting to be fed. Unfortunately, that is not on the Rykersaurus agenda. He runs at them, until every last one has flown to the safety of the other side of the square. He told us last night that he was just checking their wings, to make sure they worked properly!

We are in Syros one more night, setting sail for Tinos Island on Sunday morning. This is a departure from our original plan, which involved a trip to Sifnos and Milos however a mid-week ferry was cancelled which threw all our plans into disarray. The trip to Tinos is part of our newly hatched Plan B, which requires less travel time and provides more ferry options.