March

 1st March 

Time to  wear the Martis bracelet. Made from woven red and white thread.

A tradition dating back to the ancient Eleusinian Mysteries. Nowadays it is said the wearing of the bracelet will protect you from burning in the strong spring sun

Not much of that around at the moment 

And it's..

Carnival time!

There was a big party for the youngsters in the central square 

My grandchildren and my 'children' get dressed up in masquerade and dance the nights away.

Meanwhile back at the homestead I'm making bowls of taramousalata..fish roe 'dip'.

The pink stuff in the mixer is the fish roe

When fish roe is mixed with bread and potato, lemon juice and olive oil it turns into a smooth, not very fishy, spread.

All ready for Monday March 3. 

 Clean Monday .

The beginning of the 6 week Orthodox Lent.

Tomorrow the family will gather to eat octopus and squid and spiky sea urchins.

And mussels. But nothing like the huge juicy NZ mussels my downunder family are enjoying on their summer holiday fishing trip .  There's nothing quite like NZ green lip mussels fresh from the ocean. 

Slurped off the half shell with a squeeze of lemon juice.