The Forcast

Two months ago today I left Incarnation for this sabbatical.  Everything has been going great from my perspective.   If there is one setback however, it is the weather.  France is having the coldest and wettest spring in a generation.  Now depending on how you count a generation it could mean that the last time there was weather like this, the Americans here were not on sabbatical or tour but were rather helping with post-war construction.

If there have been seven to ten completely good days over the two months that might be stretching it.  When there were clear days in the Loire Valley back in March it was close to 30 degrees.  When it got warmer in the Aquataine, it was more cloudy.  Other times like at Lourdes, the weather would blow in and out with the Confessional lines.  You never left the Maison without your umbrella.

Now along the Cote du Basque in Southern France I wake up to 38 degrees.  It will get warmer, but it just shows how unseasonable the spring has been.  Another indicator is heat.   Europeans (Church people included) are stingy with heat.   Every place I have stayed at so far has had the heat on.  That is a crazy thought considering May is more than half-spent.  Hopefully it will be more mild and dry as I begin the Camino on Friday.  No stopping on the road.   You just walk in the rain and mud.  It’s not sounding too attractive.

On a much more pleasant topographical note:  Every place I have been in so far has had a river or more than one.  The rivers were the reasons these places became the centers they did from Roman times or earlier.  They are also the reasons these places are so beautiful and livable today.  By both custom and law river access is for everyone and cannot be restricted except by the government for safety reasons.  This has made for some wonderful parks and walking trails when the weather cooperated.

Another thing to get accustomed to in Western France and I expect Spain as well is sunrise and sunset.  Because I am so far west in the Central European Time Zone, the sun rises rather late (not much before 7AM),  and is already setting after 9:30PM.  It will only get later as we head to summer.   When (God willing) I arrive in Santiago de Compostela, the internet lists sunrise at 6:55; sunset at 10:16; and the end of twilight as 11:37PM!  I feel like I'm back in Ireland.  Just something to get used too.  I might have to master the evening stroll!