As a child I was brought up knowing a lot of the folklore around weather patterns. We always had a barometer at the bottom of our stairs and I would tap it as I passed, to see if the ‘glass’ had gone up or down, watching the elaborate needles moving around the dial, with the … More The weather Saints and their icy fingers
At this time of year, it would be fair to say that normally the weather is settled, calm and generally lovely . By now, we have usually set up the cushions on the old day beds, under the shade of the pergola, and have the parasols on hand, even in the early morning to shade … More Let’s talk about the weather..
Over the years, I’ve almost become fanatical about looking for the first signs of Spring here. Those little things that lift my heart after the short, cold and drab winter days, promising lighter evenings and warmer days to come. The first sign here is always the little clump of Siberian Irises along the lane, which … More First signs of Spring
After a gentle weekend, today has been another mad travelling day, and considering it was only organised in Friday, it’s actually gone rather well. This weekend, it really did feel as if Spring was forcing her way forward, with me stopping in my tracks, whilst we were out walking, on hearing the lilting (and simply … More Travelling again
It seems strange to say, but this evening, the fire is lit and we’re cosy inside the house, watching the snow fall silently past the window. It had been predicted, but even this morning, it seemed unlikely, as we woke to beautiful blue skies, without even the slightest glimpse of a cloud on the horizon. … More A bed, some brocanting and back to Winter
Over the last week, the days have slipped comfortably past, with enough going on to keep me busy, whilst Andy has been away, fitting in lots of chores around the more enjoyable aspects of life here. In many ways, it’s been a bit of a bizarre week, especially when it comes to the weather. Over … More All the seasons in a week, in Provence
Apologies for not having posted for a while, but since Christmas, it has felt as if we have been on a bit of a roller-coaster ride with lots of switchbacks & changes of speed and direction in just about every aspect of our life, but all we can do is hold on tight, and hope … More Returning to the first signs of Spring
When it comes to Provence, I always think of the colours, especially in late winter and early spring. It all begins in January, with the hillsides of the Cote d’Azur, turning bright yellow, with the sight of the Mimosa trees coming into flower. Then in February we start to see the first almond blossom around … More Joyful colour of the Judas Tree
a photo of a rainbow pushes the grey clouds away … More The Pot of Gold at the end of The Rainbow
It has just dawned on me that this time last year Andy was frantically packing the car, filling every possible space with bits we wanted to take with us to France ahead of setting off in the early hours to drive to Provence to complete the purchase of our long dreamed-for little house. Â Â … More Our Year in Provence (sorry Peter Mayle)
Vaucluse Dreamer 