Friday, July 05, 2013

Changes, changes….

What’s happening? This morning there’s this great big round yellow thing up in the sky and suddenly it’s warm enough to take off all my winter layers. On top of that the sky has turned a different colour. I think it’s called blue. I’m going out to investigate and I may be some time…. 


57 comments:

  1. Same here! AMAZING.

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    1. You too, Anny? Did somebody wave a wand? :-)

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  2. Though possibly not as long as you'd like, I suspect.
    Here too the grey 'ceiling' has changed colour, though not to a universal blue, more a sort of mashed potato colour.
    It is however, indisputably getting warmer.
    What can this mean. Is it the end of all we know?
    Enjoy it while it lasts.

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    1. I intend to, Ray, after the months of greyness we've had to endure. I do hope your mashed potato is ousted by blue very soon. :-)

      I've just checked the French weather sites while drinking my after-lunch coffee and they're all showing an unbroken row of little yellow suns over the next 10 days. Here's hoping they've got it right, but just in case I'm off out again - this time to tackle the nettles.

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  3. "The good old summertime" ... a time to be outdoors.

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    1. Absolutely, Shirley and it's great to have some proper summer weather to do so after last summer's washout. Long may it last....

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  4. Love that song, love Porgy and Bess, and love Louis and Ella! I've gone all hot and melted here, Perpetua.. I think we are having an Indian Summer week, as our mercury has also risen - 25 deg. max. in the middle of winter is madness!! Enjoy your French summertime..

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    1. It's wonderful, isn't it, Patricia - one of my all-time favourites too. Your midwinter Indian summer is beating our French real summer at the moment, as it's probably not much over 20C here as yet. Still, the forecasters are promising great things for the weekend. :-) Hope it cools down for you soon, so that you can enjoy the proper season.

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    2. I can sing this, AND some, Big Sis. You should hear me one day. When The Daughter was ten she played it as a cello solo with piano accompaniment at a school summer concert. It must be in the family DNA

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    3. I'll hold you to that, Baby Sis. :-) You should hear DD play it on the saxophone. Real tingle factor stuff. I'm guessing Grandson#1 has played it on the trumpet too. :-)

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    4. I love the second verse especially.

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  5. It's the same here at last,thank goodness -lovely blue sky and a few little white fluffy clouds - just what summer ought to be, for once, and set to last for a bit, I hear. Don't get yourself nettled, & what is DH doing to assist with the garden? Or is it decoration time indoors?

    Love from mid-Wales

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    1. Having checked the Met Office forecast for Mid-wales, I can see plenty of the little yellow circles on there too. :-) It's about time or we'll forget what summer can be.

      Only the occasional light sting as I wear gardening gauntlets rather than gloves for the job. DH deals with things like strimming and hedge-cutting and I do the rest. This afternoon he gave the wooden garden furniture a new coat of white paint and tomorrow morning (while it's still cool upstairs) he'll get on with decorating the front bedroom, while I tackle the next section of the grass. it's all go. :-)

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  6. Very warm here now in the south but we're not complaining!

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    1. Ah, but you get it regularly, Sarah, so you're used to it. For us northerners it's a shock to the system and we have to get acclimatised. :-)

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  7. Same here, in the green and grassy mid-Wales you left a month ago. Fabby, isn't it?

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    1. Actually it's only a fortnight since we left, as we had tea in your back garden on the 19th. :-) Mind you, that fortnight has whizzed by! Glad you're getting your share of the pleasure.

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    2. I am getting confused. You left for Scotland at the end of May.

      The 19 June happened in a bit of a blur, being the day after Our Ma died, but of course you and DH so kindly visited to offer your condolences. Days run into one another now we are retired. I rarely know what day it is, let alone date!

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    3. You're lucky you're just getting confused. I think I'm confused all the time. :-) However the day/date bit is DH's constant complaint, whereas whatever else I forget I can always tell the day immediately and almost always the date too. Old habits die hard.....

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  8. Hari OM
    Just had one of those spooky moments - as I was lolling about rendering my own soprano accompaniment to Louis and Ella there popped up comments over at my place!!! I do so hope you get the promised multiple yellow balls. They are so smiley. Hugs, YAM xx

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    1. Ooo, coincidences, Yam! Very spooky... I always sing along with this marvellous song too, but very quietly, so as not to spoil it. :-) I've just checked the Meteo France site and the little yellow balls are nicely lined up for the next 10 days at least. For us that's almost a summer's worth. :-)

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  9. Well, the French did put their 'canicule' plan into action earlier this year...their forecasters must have known something...

    Enjoy it...it's been a long time coming!

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    1. You mean when it was still cold and raining, even down on the Med? They must be psychic!

      I'm enjoying it immensely. Just sitting in short sleeves with the front door wide open is wonderful after the past few very chilly days and nights. :-)

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  10. Love that song, Perpetua! Growing up in the south, I sang it all the time (not that I can sing, because I can't), but I've always loved it and it always reminded me of home (Louisiana).

    Glad you're getting some sun. Here in Texas we have lots... usually in the 90's and made 100 the other day. But I heard that Arizona had 129 the other day...???

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    1. So do I, Rian, but you have much more reason to, coming from the deep south as you do. Glad to have brought back happy memories for you. I always sing along too, but very quietly, so as not to spoil it. :-)

      The temperatures you mention are almost inconceivable to someone from normally chilly Britain. I've occasionally experienced temperatures in the 90s in Wales, but usually a warm summer's day means the 70s, or the 80s if we're really lucky. 129F is almost 54C and my mind boggles at the thought.

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  11. At last ! I felt a bit sad leaving France on Tuesday this week, just as summer was clearly arriving, but as the next 2 weeks look lovely here in Yorkshire, I'm quite happy that we are all getting a share of the much needed sunshine. Enjoy it. J.

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    1. So it's you we have to thank for putting warm weather in your luggage and bringing it north! Much appreciated. :-) After the cold weather you had early in your stay in Caunes, I'm glad you're not missing out while back in the UK. Enjoy your visit and safe journey back south.

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  12. From memory, I think it's something called "summer".

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    1. You could well be right. Your memory is better than mine. :-)

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  13. So happy for you, Perpetua! And thanks for the musical memory!

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    1. Kathy, it must seem ironic to you in Arizona that I'm celebrating the temperature reaching the low 70s, but it's been such a long, cold spring. A pity we can't even things out between us. :-)

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  14. Perfect song for the dawning of a summertime time day, at long last, Perpetua. You have been waiting for so long. Glad the sun shone and the sky turned blue. Enjoy.

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    1. It's the ultimate summer song to me, Penny, and it's so good to be able to welcome some summer weather at last. The summer of 2012 was a washout over here, so this spell of sunshine feels like a long-lost friend. :-) It glorious again today and i'll be out with my mower before long.

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  15. Oh take it all in! Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! :-) It must have been a wonderful day and I hope you have a long streak with that wonderful yellow orb!

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    1. It was super, Debra, and I am indeed enjoying every moment of this sunshine. The forecasters are saying it will last for a while as the high pressure builds and keeps those dratted westerly winds at bay. Must be off - the garden is beckoning.... :-)

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  16. "Ahhh and the livin is easy"... you might see some fish in the stream.. cotton I doubt.
    but ya sure will feel the hot summer days..
    seems weather will be warming as the days go by.. now sure about your part of France.. but here summer never fails.. its always hot hot hot.. swimming lazing " and spreading my wings"
    wonderful post.. most enjoyable.
    My mother sang that song to me all through my life. Its one of my most favorites.
    happy Saturday and good adventures..
    val x x x x

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    1. Glad you enjoyed Ella and Louis, Val. :-) Summer can definitely fail here in Normandy, as it did last year. We're too close to the UK and too far from the Mediterranean to get your kind of summer except as a rarity. But we do get lovely sunny periods like this sometimes and we make the very most of them. I've been out gardening and have just come in to rest and get cool and then I'll make lunch. There are times I really envy you your pool..... :-)

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  17. I know there's no pleasing some people ... but it's 25 degrees Celsius here today and I'm too hot!!!

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    1. LOL, Annie! The trouble is it's come so quickly that we haven't had time to acclimatise. A nice breeze here, but the sun is HOT!

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  18. Smiling at Annie's post above...it's been 38 degrees here and it feels to me like we waste much of the day hiding inside. It seem counter-intuitive but it really is too hot to be out. I do hope you are enjoying the sun and taking proper precautions (of course you are!) and fingers crossed that breeze keep gently blowing. Axxx

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    1. I can well believe you hide from that degree of heat, Annie. I still remember having to work in a 35C heatwave in Mid-Wales and it was awful, as of course the library had huge windows and no air conditioning! We nearly melted. I'm not a sunbather as I get prickly heat rather quickly, but luckily our garden has some wonderful shade trees. :-)

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  19. Like Annie, our temperatures are too high to be outside which is a shame. It looks like your good weather is likely to stick around for a bit longer....enjoy!

    Thankyou for Ella and Louis. One of my favourites, by two of my favourite singers of all time...lovely x

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    1. I know, Ayak, and I feel for you. Warmth is all very well, especially when we don't get much of it, but temperatures like yours must make life difficult and uncomfortable. We're promised at least a couple of weeks of this, but it certainly won;'t last for months like it can along the Med.

      Glad you enjoyed Summertime. One of the world's great songs and as for the singers - wow!

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  20. I'm glad you've finally got some sunshine to warm the cockles of your heart! Here the temperature suddenly took off, and we've gone from driving rain to blue sky, concerts of cicadas and temperatures of over 30°C - too hot for me, but the kids are thrilled.

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    1. They're warming up very nicely, thanks, MM. Your steep temperature rise has been mirrored by ours, but to a lower level. I don't cope well with anything above the upper 20s either, but kids seem to be infinitely adaptable. :-)

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  21. You more than most deserve some serious sunshine to melt away the memories of snow blocked lanes

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    1. Well, we're certainly getting it, thanks and the snow is but a distant echo. Thankfully there's also a nice breeze to stop us overheating. :-)

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  22. Dear Perpetua, here in Missouri it is hot and humid, yet there is usually a breeze to cool the sweat on one's brow. A good season.

    Thank you for sharing the video of Ella and Louie singing and him playing the trumpet. The talent of them both still amazes me. And the way they cherish each word they say--the way they savor the words and the story--makes me vibrate with joy. Peace.

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    1. I think your summers are on average much hotter than ours, dee, but it's certainly warm here too, but with that lovely refreshing breeze you mention. Perfect summer weather.

      Summertime is a wonderful song whoever sings it, but like you I think its deepest and most memorable interpretation was given by Ella and Louie.

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  23. You should be round these parts now; it’s scorching and I’m already complaining!

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    1. Yes, I gather that the temperatures in Mid-Wales and the Marches are very similar to those in southern Normandy. Take heart, it should be a bit cooler for you soon. :-)

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  24. Listening to the song I should feel it talks about Georgia but since June 30th we have had rain every day (for a small while) and the temperature has not been above the mid 70s (24C) when it should be more like the high 80s (31+C) but I don’t mind because the summer is really easy… I have been to Lyon yesterday and on Tuesday it will be Vaison-la-Romaine where I lived with my grandparents after I was born – of course I am visiting via direct TV while watching Le Tour de France. I would love to go back to Vaison (in Provence) where I have not been since a teenager – I remember the smell of the lavender fields. Enjoy your sun!

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    1. What is happening to the world's weather, Vagabonde? You're the second blogger from the South to mention how rainy it's been recently, whereas in the UK and Basse-Normandie we are enjoying our first prolonged spell of really warm summer weather since 2010!

      We don't have TV in France, so I've only been following the Tour via the news websites, but I can imagine how much you must enjoy so much TV coverage from your beloved France. My new little lavender bushes are flowering now and are obviously enjoying the sun as much as we are. ;-)

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  25. Yes - that yellow thingy in the sky has also been pretty absent from the Czech Republic until the last 10-11 days. I trust it's still shining on you now, even though it seems to delay your next most enjoyable blog post :-)

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    1. Well, I did say I might be some time, Ricky. ;-) There are at least a couple of posts brewing, but I just can't bring myself to spend enough time indoors to write them while it's continues to be so glorious outdoors. We've had a few social invitations and apart from that I've been following the shade round the garden, getting it back into shape for our daughter's visit next month. We haven't had such good weather since 2010 and I can't bear to waste it. :-)

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  26. Just a quick comment to say I hope you're enjoying the sunny weather! For once the weather has matched Italy on travelling back to the UK, although it's more humid here in Yorkshire. Pacing ourselves!

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    1. I'm enjoying it immensely, Linda, as you can probably tell from the lack of posts and blog-reading. :-) It's 3 years since we had weather like this and I'm making the most of it while it lasts. Our daughter in Yorkshire said that it was very hot there last weekend. We're just now used to it......

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