Weather: S England v S France.

The difference in weather between our two locations is instantly noticeable.

Here, compared to the UK, in Summer it's hotter, and in Winter it's colder.

Also in Spring it is hot, steamy, and stormy. We are expecting storms next week, and they will be very wet, very noisy, possibly with hail, and very 'electric'. We have already had one such since we arrived back. They also are very beautiful and dramatic.

Back in England we had a few Spring bouts of very distant rumblings, but nothing like the spectacle of here.

In early Spring we often have devastating frosts, down to maybe -15 C, which can destroy the crops of early flowering fruits (and often do), such as Plums, Peaches, and some early Apples. Luckily this year we seem to have got away with it, and our crops of Peaches, Plums, Greengages (above), and Apples, are looking extremely good. The Peaches especially are looking excellent. 

Fruit growing here is never guaranteed; for that one needs to move much further S E. And don't bother planting-out the Veg' patch before mid-May because everything could easily be wiped-out.

So, which of the two locations do I prefer? Well, I have to say here! I like the drama of it, even including the extremes of Winter. One needs to be prepared for all occasions, and that includes a refreshing pool for Summer, a covered outdoor terrace for when it rains, and a good blazing open fire (or stove) for those cold Winter months. Warm clothing is also important, and is ALWAYS required; it wasn't this last Winter in Brighton.

This is not to say that I don't enjoy my time in England; I do, and I love it. It's like two different worlds, one happily set back a while in time, the other ever eager to move forward and discover. 

At my last real garden back in the UK, I never expected anything to fail. There were always Plums, Apples, Pears, and all the standard Vegs, but here one never takes anything for granted. Even a sudden storm of giant-sized hailstones can devastate your garden in a flash.