Well dire warnings about weather but this morning although there were big clouds there was a lovely southerly wind and it was pleasantly warm for brekkie on the terrace. Mind you, Over There (ie the other side of the Rhône) it did look rather black.
Here’s a useful barrier just casually lying about in the vines.
After a bit we decided that we’d risk it and set out for a walk up in the hills above Beaumes, round Domaine de Durban. A favourite spot. Just before Gigondas there were flashing police lights and a huge vehicle lifting crane and diversion signs. A Luton van had tumbled into the ditch. We know these lanes so swiftly cut through to the other main road and were on our way again when there was a God awful claxoning sound from the back seat. Adrian’s phone. I grabbed it and there was a Red Weather Alert for floods…in The Gard! That’s them across the other side of the Rhône.
Undeterred we continued up to our walk. Lovely, windy, huge clouds, shafts of sun. It really was glorious.
Then as I was snapping the scene, MY phone screeched and wailed. Half an hour later they'd decided I ought to be warned too. I’m a better swimmer than Adrian🤗. But still no sign of storm for us. The blackness remained well to the west.
Anyway we carried on, enjoyed the view and the walk and got back to Beaumes much invigorated. Beer and a rosé in the bar. Weather on my phone app said it was 25 degrees, chance of some rain around 4. Then we felt a few drops. Everyone scuttled to tables under the canopy. ‘It was forecast for 3’ a lady grumbled. Didn’t last in any case.
But more bad news once back in Villedieu. They’ve put back Adrian’s hospital appointment yet again!
