Last night we sat in the garden, under the dripping parasols, wearing rainjackets, jeans and even socks! It was the first rain for about seven weeks, other than odd five-minute showers.
It made us think of all those camping trips - sitting, all wrapped up, inside the tent flap in the Lakes, Hawes or Northumberland, glass in hand, looking out at the wet and not looking forward to waking up with damp clothes in the morning.
We were so pleased to see the rain - never thought I'd say that! - but with temperatures often in the low 30s for days on end, and in the 20s during the night, it is a welcome change and relief. The gardens and fields are all parched and the water butts empty. There are of course watering restrictions, and the farmers have had to dip into their winter feed as there's no grass in the fields for the animals - mainly cows, Limousin, around here.
More storms forecast on and off for the next few days, so bring on the rain. We don't want rain on Saturday though, thank you very much, when we have a stall at our village Vide Grenier (car boot-type sale), or for Friday or Saturday evening when there are two free music and dance concerts with local folklorique dance groups and visiting troupes from Mexico and Belarusse.
Back to 30s temperatures next week though when we'll all be complaining about la grande chaleur (the big heat!) again.
© Marie Tyler 2015
