Well that's a shock!
We woke this grey morning to near freezing drizzle, in contrast to the last days of bright T-shirt wearing sunshine. Not a day for being outside. The weeding and the painting of shutters will have to wait for the return of warmer weather later in the week.
I was warned - on a gardening forum when I was asking about early pruning and someone said that old French gardeners wait to do most of their gardening tasks until after "Les Saints de Glace". It's true that the immaculate front garden potagers in town are beautifully tilled and ready. But not much sign of planting.
I check on Google and learn that "The Ice Saints" (Estelle, Achille and Fatima) are not until the eleventh to the thirteenth of May. Good heavens! As late as May?
Our mild winters are making us blasé. Traditional French lore reminds us, late spring can still have a nasty bite.
I was warned about the Ice Saints when I first moved to France and the so and sos rarely failed to make their presence felt!
ReplyDeleteNice to be able to comment again...for quite a while it was blocked on several Blogger sites.
Hello Fly, glad you are back in touch. Hope all is well. Or at least as well as possible under the circumstances. In some ways I'm glad they are still making their presence felt - it's good to have proper seasons. And I'm having a lazy day indoors!
DeleteSo frustrating...just when Leo was well enough to get out and about we are confined to barracks!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit to not missing the Ice Saints one little bit!
Such a shame. Though he may be better safe than out. Though he may not see it like that!
DeleteNot casting clouts until May (or may - the plant) be out was the lore. We do appear to have shorter winters and earlier arrival of the Spring flowers and posible arrival of the migrating birds. I wish we had a week of either very hot or very cold temperatures that could kill off/destroy this virus. Not that I know if it would 'work'. Stay healthy, Lesley
ReplyDeleteHello Lesley, hope you and yours are safe. We have sun again today I'm glad to say, which lifts the spirits. Hope you have the same.
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