Four seasons in a week

In the last seven days we have experienced all four seasons in Limoux. We have enjoyed the warmth of the sun, and the bitter cold that comes with more snow!

Last Saturday we woke up to a gorgeous clear sky, sunshine and mid- to high-teen temperatures. For us Aussies who have struggled and snuggled our way through the somewhat mild French Winter, it was a much needed relief from the grey skies and rain of the previous three weeks.

We soaked up as much of the sun's rays as we could, venturing into town to enjoy a cold drink at a cafe in the sun. The town was alive with people out and about, no doubt getting their dose of vitamin D while they could.

Marty soaking up the sun

Roses blooming in our garden

We spent a good couple of hours, just sitting and enjoying what we had been missing for months. It felt like Summer to us. I even managed to get a little bit of colour on my now very pale face.

The sunshine continued during the week, although the temperatures dropped slightly in the days following.  We felt a hint of Spring in the air as beautiful yellow roses bloomed in our garden. I assumed they too had enjoyed the sun, and come out to brighten up our barren garden.

Clear skies make for a nice view at the field

The temperature was bearable, much more so than previous weeks, so I enjoyed getting out for a long stroll around town, and even a run on a couple of days. I run around the playing field, and was captured by the colour of the sky on Thursday; it was so clear.

Friday brought another clear day, albeit a much cooler one. We ventured out again, after all we have to take advantage of these sunny days while they last. We headed up to the top of a mountain near town, that plays host to wind turbines.

The journey was interesting, and the view amazing. But the wind was unbearable for us. We struggled to keep our eyes open long enough to see the snow-capped mountains in the distance; a view that proved worthy of the sting in our eyes.

Wind turbines lining the mountain

Our best photo in the wind!

Saturday rolled around again, but was quite different. I woke and pulled back the blackout curtains to  see white falling from the sky! Around a month ago I wrote about the experience of our first snow; how it was beautiful, but brief, and we were hoping for more. Well, we got it!

I layered up and ventured out in to the bitter cold (-3) to experience the magic of the snow falling from above. Our garden was pretty, but the streets of the town were prettier. There was white as far as I could see, in every direction.  

The streets of Limoux in the snow

A magical scene!

Despite the cold, we decided to go out for a drive, which was a very strange experience in itself; I could see the snow coming at us, but it wasn't sticking to the windscreen, or making it wet.

We woke today to find that it had continued to lightly snow overnight, with more of the ground covered in the white stuff. The temperature is still in the negatives, a fact I gently advised Marty of as he packed his bag and put on his layers in preparation for his football game today.

While I am loving watching the snow from the warm comfort of our home, I do hope that it's not snowing in the part of France that Marty is playing in today.