Spring is here

Carnival is over and the fancy dress costumes are back in the cupboard for another year. In answer to some of the questions raised recently on the Chat Page, various parties and activities take place from Smoky Thursday onwards but the main events tend to be over the weekend preceding Clean Monday. This year the local dramatic society also put on a children's play at the Cultural centre on Saturday night in addition to the usual municipal events. In some of the bigger towns and cities in Greece Carnival is an excuse for a sustained period of partying and no work but in small places like Symi not only can the economy not survive everyone downing tools for a week or more but it also tends to be more child orientated.

Clean Monday was a lovely spring day although regrettably windless for the kite flying fraternity... Judging by some of the squealing brakes and tipsy singing as the cavalcade made its way back down the mountain in the late afternoon, other traditional Clean Monday pastimes continued as usual! Everyone was back at work this morning however - coming down the Kali Strata at half past seven I passed the usual assortment of builders, labourers, fishermen etc.

Weatherwise, there is a high pressure system over the area with flat seas, clear skies and temperatures around 16 degrees. It is expected to reach about 20 towards the end of the week before the wind changes to the north again. Growing conditions are perfect - the weeds are doubling in size every 2 days and the insect life is proliferating at about the same rate. Fresh leaves are unfurling on the trees, the apricot trees and wild medlars are flowering and the first small furry nuts are forming on the almonds. Spring is here.

Have a good week.

Regards,
Adriana