“….. and what will the Robin do then, poor thing?”

…. and so, in solidarity with our comrades in the UK, we have whited out.    Snow is unusual here and only fell once in the last four years, when our neighbours’ teenage children saw it for the first time.   We have watched  youngsters and animals today,  seeing, feeling and tasting snow.  Their joy was contagious, but not enough to draw us outside.

The down side of an area which sees hardly any snow, is that most drivers are not used to the conditions when they do occur.    There  have been people seeking assistance all over the Languedoc,  either because they have  become stuck in their cars or, worse, have had accidents.  The Ladies in Languedoc Facebook page has been inundated both with cries for help and offers of support.   Social networking at its best.

However.   Priorities are different here.   As we stood indoors watching, me with my  Guides First Aider badge clasped in my hand and Gazzie with his ambulance man uniform on (my favourite, second only to the Fireman one) our neighbour over the road cleared snow …… from his roof!…. and yesterday, yes yesterday, while Gazzie was sunbathing (but you know about that.   It’s getting  worse, bloggees.   Remember when he stripped off when someone switched on a light?    Well, yesterday, a friend wandered round with a lighted cigarette and he was disrobed, suncreamed and on the newly purchased sunlounger before I could say “there’s snow forecast”.)

Where was I? Oh yes.   Terday.  This :

“If winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”  , said ol’  Willie Shakespeare.   Well they do things differently here, sir.   Spring skips onto the scene followed by an Arctic permafrost.