Outside in...

 

We had neighbours over for aperos last night and with these very high temperatures it was always about sitting outside. I had been in touch with our family back in Scotland to let them know the week ahead was going to be hot,hot,hot and they asked us to send some north to combat the rain. No sooner had I finished when the sky went dark and we were hit by an 'orage'. 

However with the temperatures being as they are it took only 10 minutes (the time difference between the images above) to dry out. So it was back to the outside plan. The weather however still had a hand to play and as we were enjoying some drinks and nibbles it threw another heavy shower down on us, which meant a quick gathering up of plates and glasses and a quick retreat indoors. 

It has been a wet month...

 River Creuse at La Guerche yesterday.

Don't let it bring you down...

 

Dreich days can still delight!

Seeking sanctuary...

 

After lunching at a very hot 'Le Saint Mandé' in Ferrière-Larçon yesterday, we headed straight for the church for a little respite from the current unbearably high temperatures. Then it was a quick dash back to the air-con in the car.

It's as cold as this here...one for the web.

 

Sometimes plans don't quite work out...

 

Sunday lunch always had a risk attached as catering for too many to seat inside meant we were weather reliant, which on the 1st of August should not really have been a problem. Unfortunately Meteo's potential light shower past over with little damage only to be followed by a drenching cloud burst which required some clothes changes!!

Guests bravely continued but we were eventually forced to cram inside for dessert and coffee. Bizarrely we were informed later that over the hill in Le Grand-Pressigny (7km) had seen no rain with some of our guests having to go out and water the garden!

Have to say it isn't the first time we have had to resort to a little shelter while dining. 

Drawing a line under weather forecasting...

 

The current unpredictable weather has us weather forecasting by looking out the window, as the real guys seem to be a bit sixes and sevens at the moment. Captured this phenomenon on Sunday walking along Grande Rue with the rain deciding that only the centre of the village should get wet, with this side of the line dry and as we continued along the road at the other end of town,dry as well!  

At last, a return to what we expect...

 

After a lovely evening with friends last night, we returned just before curfew (9.00pm) and at last were able to appreciate our 'sitooterie' in lovely evening temperatures that allowed us to watch our solar lighting coming into its own in both the front and rear courtyards here at the Old Walnut Mill.

The water gatherer...

We decided to take down our 'sail' ,which is there for shade, for the moment as it had turned into a water gatherer during the recent wet spell! Hoping we will need it next week when the weather improves! 

Sunday stroll - under a cloud

 Well many actually! Need this spell of inclement weather to end in order to lift our spirits!

In winter you do not come to Scotland for the weather...

Last week we woke up to this scene after  a night of high winds, plus the sight of snow in them there hills is maybe a taster of things to come!

Alfresco in February...

Popped over to see our friend Dave just outside Chaumussay yesterday after working in the courtyard of the 'Old Walnut Mill'. We sat out on his new 'sitooterie', it used to be where his caravan, which was his and Hillary's first 'home' here in France, used to sit. Beautiful sunny afternoon finished of with aperos...lovely end to the day.

Pics. taken just as the sun was going down.

Things are on the up...at least weather-wise

Meteo predicting 16/17 degrees for the weekend in Le Grand-Pressigny

Early Summer weather...

Yesterday on Grande Rue, Barrou

Back to a little bit of normality...

March 3rd

The recent strange spell of weather has ended and we are back to something like normal temperatures for this time of year to get to 13C today. Amazing the difference in a couple of days!

March 1st

What a difference a day makes...

Wednesday morning

Thursday morning

Snow is rare here in our part of France and as on this occasion rarely stays around for very long. On our weekly randonnee club walk yesterday, yes it was a lovely blue sky and sunshine day, there was much discussion as to when we last had any real long-lasting snow.

Big sun in Barrou...

Last week was a strange one weather wise, we even had temperatures up in the 20's - it's the end of October for goodness sake!

On Thursday morning I could hardly see walking along Grande Rue with the low full sun working its magic.

Dreich days

We are very fortunate living where we do here in the Loire Valley. Our location in Southern Touraine south of the river Loire provides us with our own little micro climate that for most of the year is actually comparable to that of Nice.

	Av. max. in May	Av. max. in June	Av .max. in July	Av .max. in Aug	Av. max. in Sept.
Tours	19	26	28	28	24
Nice	19	28	30	30	26

It is only when we slip into winter that this changes and we sometimes experience what we Scots describe as dreich weather. The 'Urban Dictionary' gives the following description; "A combination of dull, overcast, drizzly, cold, misty and miserable weather. At least 4 of the above adjectives must apply before the weather is truly dreich" Well yesterday we had that. 

We find it hard to get motivated on days like these and a little guilty that we don't really need to - the 'choice thing' is probably what we appreciate most of our  lifestyle here. The short winter will come and go before we know it.