01342

Thanks to everyone, food for thought.

dmu

This was true this year, it was mild at Christmas and perishing cold and wet over the Easter weekend!
This reminds me that it's soon the Saints de Glace, which every French gardener is wary of. They've removed these three Saints from the Calendar, and I haven't checked which days correspond this year. Beware of frost some time soon!
P.S. just checked on an earlier thread. They are "celebrated" on 11th, 12th and 13th May....

Chatter Static

This year I have surprised as to have not seen any snow we have had two or three lightish frosts. We might have one of those frost in july years coming.

Novocastrian

Around here (Toronto) the average date of the last frost is May 24th.

mentalist

My wife is also African but we have lived in the Middle East for the last 12 years. We are thinking of retiring to Mid West France but it definitely wouldn't be for the weather. I don't think the few degrees difference between the UK and France is a critical factor and is certainly outweighed by the language issues. Our main reason for considering France is the space and lack of congestion, except in the cities of course. I spent a week near Poitiers house-hunting recently and, other than quite a few haulage trucks on the major routes, I was delighted by the traffic free roads and availability of easy parking in most towns and villages. Also people are so welcoming. It's a quality of life issue. If you want warm sunshine then consider Cyprus.