Bonne Annee

When we first arrived in the area we asked around what the weather is like in winter - do we get snow? - and we were told that yes, we do get snow here but usually only once and it might last a day but it's a while since it fell in Cambieure..... So this is our third fall of snow since we arrived and this time it has stayed overnight.

last night

It started yesterday with an icy blast from the north - even in Marseille they have snow and by comparison we have a small dose. It was windy and felt like there were ice needles in the wind and the high for the day was -2.

The 'quelques flocons' forecast did arrive but as they were much smaller than the fall on Boxing Day so we decided to call them "floquettes". Now I understand why Innuits have about 37 different words for snow. The current fall started off as sticky snow, but today it seems it's powdery - can't easily make a snowball - but it does stick to your shoes when walking about.

early this morning

Since 1st January we have been checking our weather, temperatures and rainfall, having set up our own little weather station just like we did in NZ. With great interest as the temperature spread in Auckland, at least, is 25 to 30 degrees at the outside - if you consider the lowest temperatures we had there hovered around zero and the highs were late 20's. Here we've had very high 30's and even over 40 one day close by in Brezilhac. This morning Wouter checked the thermometer and it read -10. Although after yesterday's icy wind it doesn't feel that cold today.

By 1pm the temperature has reached zero degrees. I guess you could compare our winter weather to that of Alexandra or Lumsden.

Here are two links to BBC stories regarding the big freeze:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7817124.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7815773.stm

While our friends, family and colleagues are sweltering in the unusual heatwave hitting Auckland we are having cold snow.

It's interesting to note who and what moves around in the snow - easy to tell when it remains overnight by they tracks left behind. For example, we have birds, rabbits, dogs, cats and people.

birds

cat (Moulette?)

Cassy

rabbit

icicles on loquat

sparkles in the snow

Anyway,not complaining, as we look on this as all part of our experience. Cheers and Happy New Year, Bonne Annee, Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar, Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.