Weather has been on our mind the entire trip.
We’re climate-spoiled Californians who don’t even own things like wool coats, so we didn’t exactly arrive prepared. I brought some light sweaters, so I’ve just been layering like crazy, and I talked Frank into a wool scarf and some gloves. I haven’t been able to convince him to buy a sweater or a warmer coat. He hates to shop for that kind of thing, and insists it would be a waste of money because he’d never wear it at home. So he just toughs it out.
I’ve never seen such changeable weather. In the morning, like today, it will be sunny, crystal clear and cold, very cold. Then the clouds sort of sneak in and the fun starts. It blows, then it rains, then it clears up and hails while the sun shines. Then it rains some more, then clears, then more wind and hail, then it settles in and pours for a while. The one thing it never does is warm up.
Ken on the message board told me to expect the “giboulée de mars,” which I took to be a poetic description of some sort of nice gentle spring showers. Hah! I’ve since googled the term and realized that it describes exactly the sudden heavy rains, sleet, hail, and wind we’ve seen just about every day we’ve been here.
It has affected our trip, because those lovely sunny days of strolling through the parks I was looking forward to just aren’t going to happen while you’re struggling to keep your umbrella from flying away or turning inside out.
C’est la vie, we’ll do that another time. This trip is about learning what the switch from winter to spring is really like in Paris.
Comments (6)
Chris, I know what you mean when you say that Californians are climate spoiled.
I've been enjoying your blog and photos. Thanks so much for taking the time to post on your blog.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | March 23, 2008 6:05 AM
Posted on March 23, 2008 06:05
It was similar for us in England for January and February. I was expecting the cold and rain (and it was warmer and dryer than I expected) and I knew the days would be short, but they were SHORT!! It was pitch black by 5pm. Driving on those narrow roads at night is not fun, so we were in most evenings. It really does make the trip different.
Posted by Pauline | March 23, 2008 8:50 AM
Posted on March 23, 2008 08:50
Hi Chris and Frank, is it snowing there yet? All the weather reports today have predicted snow for tonight! Maybe it will at least be pretty when the sun comes up tomorrow morning.
You were so lucky last year in April here in the Saint-Aignan/Montrichard area. Wasn't it nice sitting out in the warm weather at your gîte, enjoying a glass a wine. Ken
Posted by Ken | March 23, 2008 12:44 PM
Posted on March 23, 2008 12:44
Chris,
Welcome to the world of real weather!
We have this kind of weather regularly where I live, and when I'm in Hawaii or southern areas of the US, I get a little stir-crazy after a long string of sunny, warm days. For us, there's no texture in that weather, and I'm always happy to come home and feel real weather on my face and in my hair!
Lovely to hear from you and I have so enjoyed your blogging...makes me anticipate our trip in July.
Au 'voir,
Brenda
Posted by Brenda | March 23, 2008 6:52 PM
Posted on March 23, 2008 18:52
Chris, did it snow overnight? We woke up to a light dusting here in Saint-Aignan. It's cold!
Posted by Ken | March 24, 2008 4:04 AM
Posted on March 24, 2008 04:04
Sorry for the delay of posting your comments, Ken. I just found the notifications in my spam folder!
I didn't see any snow last night, or this morning when we got up. I was actually kind of disappointed!
However, a few flakes fell on us early afternoon when we were out walking, and we got back to the apartment just in time before the rain started.
It is SO cold!
Posted by chris | March 24, 2008 9:11 AM
Posted on March 24, 2008 09:11