It seems so long ago that March started I can't remember everything that's happened! Or is that because I have been enjoying a relaxed month before the season starts and things get busy again... "possible, very possible."

O.k. so here we go - and this month you can play along! When you have finished reading this month's update go to the competition page and answer the questions - you could win a fab prize! (Answers will be on the competition page next month, May.)

First of all there was a carnival in Yialos on March 5th. The schools put on a great show, fancy dress with an Oriental theme (among others) and a stage show complete with Chinese dragons. Much free souvlaki and wine, dancing and generally making merry before...

Clean Monday on March 6th. A few of us went for a picnic up at Stavros Tou Polemou - the highest monastery on the island (and one of the settings for 'Jason and the Sargonauts' - plug). You can see some images here. Later we went to the top of the Vigla (the highest mountain on the island) to fly some kites, or rather to have some kites fly us! So: what is the meaning/purpose etc. of Clean Monday?

The next day there was a church service and parade down in Yialos, March 7th. This happens every year on my mother's birthday but that's not the real reason for the celebration. What is the March 7th parade all about?

Since then there has been much activity both in Yialos and Chorio (and probably elsewhere too) as everyone with businesses gets ready for the upcoming season. In Chorio, Giorgio's taverna is getting a new outside roof over the avli while the inside is being painted up. George the butcher has been painting his shop and george the souvlaki shop has got new menus. There, that's the Georges done! But what is an Avli?

Down the road at the Windmill things are starting to take shape too. There is a new owner this year, Rheannon has taken on the restaurant and has started work on some outside wind-protection (nothing to do with the healthy menu, but more to do with being a windmill) so diners will be able to eat out in all degrees of the Beaufort scale. She will also have a new waiter this summer - me!

Meanwhile householders are starting to prepare their buildings for Easter, painting the walls with Asvesti and painting the paths in bright colours. It's a time for regeneration as the devout prepare for Easter and the really devout take on the 40 day fast.

Down in the harbour I've caught Takis painting his forecourt at the leather shop, Panormitis has a new display for his sponges, the plastic winter shrouds are coming off the cafes as the weather improves and new paths are being laid around parts of the road. It's all looking good down there. Our new boat The Proteus (bigger than the Symi but slightly shorter than the Rodanthi - for those of you who study these things) is up and running now making the two hour crossing to Rhodes on a reasonably regular basis and being able to carry trucks and cars.

Yesterday we had an eclipse, partial from Symi but apparently full in Kastalorizo, very strange daylight-moonlight effects for half an hour that I couldn't capture on camera, sadly.

It's all starting to happen so if you haven't booked your holiday already - get to it now!

If you want to win a SymiDream music CD - go to the competition page