Spring in the Perigord


 I think this April weather is nature's correction for a dry winter and a warm, parched March. We've had April showers in abundance, by the bucket load really, but all useful stuff as it goes a little way to replenishing the depleted ground water levels and staves off possible water restrictions this coming Summer.


There's no denying that a wonderful sheen of green has appeared across the land, that the garden seems almost turgid and  things generally look a good deal spiffier for a liberal refreshment, but much of the spring blossom has been knocked back by the heavy downpours and blustery showers.


A few of these photographs were taken this same week last year when the weather was more clement and it wasn't a case of blink and you'll miss it. April '11 started on an altogether warmer note than 2012.


Not wishing to appear slightly obsessed with the weather, I can report that April's cool start follows a record March with daytime maximum temperatures averaging a little over 18C, yet still chilly nights with ten air frosts.


Now that is a weather fact, and here's another one; all this rain is good for the garden, good for the reservoirs, great for ground water and river levels, but if it stopped tomorrow I wouldn't complain.


Comments

  1. Your spring photos bring back memories of being in the Perigord afew years back in Le Bugue.
    Have a wonderful spring and summer as we have autumn and winter - but we will be in Provence and the Loire in May so we can enjoy some warmer weather before returning to Melbourne winter.
    leon

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    1. Thankyou Leon and Sue

      Hope you have a great time in May.

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  2. Lovely spring photos. I love the look of spring flowers against old, rustic facades.

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    1. Hi Mary

      I like the blossom against the old stone too. Just a return of spring sunshine is all I need now.

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  3. Your weather sounds a lot like ours. I'm always surprised by the similarities. Lovely photos! Here's hoping we have a nice year with tolerable temperatures and ample rainfall.

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  4. Hi Phillip,

    There's a lot of similarities weatherwise though I suspect you have much lengthier, hot and humid periods in the deep south. Ditto, fingers crossed the weather plays ball.

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  5. Beautiful flowers... We have pretty cold mornings in Croatia. Frost in the morning damaged lots of spring flowers.

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    1. Thanks

      I hope the frost disappears. That wintry spell back in Feb must have been bitter over in Croatia.

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  6. March and April seem to have got themselves back to front this year Rob. The warmth of March is but a memory and there is the possibility of sleet or snow anywhere north of the Midlands forecast for this weekend. It poured down on Easter Day but the sight of a blackbird enjoying a lengthy shower in the replenished bird bath made it easier to bear. Had to smile at your sentence beginning with the words "Not wishing to appear slightly obsessed with the weather" :)

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    1. Hi Anna

      We had some friends who left home in Derby last week in driving snow. Definitely a switch around with the months.

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  7. Looking forward to your garden as the paint goes onto canvas.....plant some salvias for me in that brilliant sun!!!

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    1. Ah salvias, I have six s. patens which I am starting off from overwintered tubers that are just showing foliage.

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  8. Lovely - that last pink blossom almost heart breaking.

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    1. Marie thanks - Shame the weather limited the season this year.

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  9. Rain, dreary but necessary. We've had only one fairly decent rain for months. It doesn't look good for spring planting over here. No winter, and now no rain. I'm lucky to line on a wet sponge, at least in the country. So far there's plenty of moisture to get spring going.

    The photos are beautiful. I agree with Marie, that last one's a real winner.

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    1. Agreed. I broadcast the seed for the 'meadow' yesterday and about an hour later we had a shower - perfect!

      I hope you get rain where you need it.

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  10. Lovely in your part of France. What is the tree in the last photo?

    We had gorgeous weather in Antibes, but saw only about 1 hour of sunshine in Paris during that week. Was okay though because we were catching up with expat friends, met new ones, and a friend flew over to catch up with us. We managed to go to one museum (free Le Petit Palais) on our last day! Didn't even make it to the Jardin des Plantes or Luxembourg this trip.

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    1. Freda I think the weather changed for pretty much the whole of France during your second week.

      I bet Paris was wonderful. Fullstop wonderful, whatever the weather.

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    2. Forgot. The tree in the last photo is an apple. Which I don't know.

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  11. We've just come back from 6 days in La Mayenne and Paris with my French 'family' (30 years since I last saw most of them!). Both places are about a fortnight further on than we are, but you're another week or 10 days ahead of them! I think we got your rain - it pee'd it down in Paris on Tuesday and here yesterday...still, we do need it!

    Your blossom is glorious, but mine is only just coming out and my wisteria is still thinking about it!

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    1. Liz bloody hell. You met your old French 'family'. Wow. That must have been amazing, nerve racking, tumultuous, fantastic all rolled into one. Blog about it???

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  12. Hi Rob! Rain or not, your grass looks so fresh! And blooms... fantastic! Niccce!
    We have a cool grey spring. But, we don't complain. We just look at all those tornadoes in the Midwest and keep our mouths shut.

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  13. Rob, you so exquisitely share the beautiful architecture with the sprays of spring! Lovely!!

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