Friday 17th February

We seem to have had a long cold Winter, but actually it has neither been particularly long or cold; a couple of weeks of sub-zero frosty mornings in January and we are barely half way through February, which can be the cruelest month. In fact, back in England February is often harsher than December or January.  But yesterday (Wednesday, confusing I know as I tend to write this a day or two before it goes out) was an incredible day; warm and sunny.  They say that after the storm comes the lull.  We had two days of high winds on Sunday and Monday, there was a tree down in the park and many houses were without power.  Unusual for this part of France where the weather can be wet but rarely blowing a gale.  Tuesday was calmer, the wind had dropped and it was much milder.  But today was brilliant, the temperature, if thermometers can really be believed, was in the low twenties and it suddenly felt like Spring, if not early Summer.  No flowers poking their little heads up yet but so sunny and warm.  It reminded us straightaway of the wonderful Summers we enjoy so much here.  The night markets, eating outside, the special festivals, the moules et frites, the Oyster and White Wine festivals, the Medeaval Festival and barbeques with all our friends.  This sunny spell cannot possibly last more than a day or two but for now it almost feels like Summer.