Tuesday 8 March 2011

On this winter's weather...

Photo: Pefkos on a stormy day in February (click on it for a larger version)

Each of us sees things differently I suppose. I'd say that the winter hasn't been appreciably colder than usual, in fact when the sun's been out it's been slightly warmer. My wife and I (I know this is sad, but...) we keep a daily record of max and min temps all year round as well as noting when it rains. Would you believe that in Feb 2010 we had 9 days on which it rained. As for 2011? - 9 again. The difference has been that when it has rained this winter, it's not known the word "moderation!"

We have a log-burning stove and there have been evenings during this winter, especially during January when we had a couple of weeks of glorious warm weather, when we haven't had to light it. Last winter we lit it every evening when we were in.

The fact is that we've been able to enjoy a coffee out [fave pastime] at least once every week this winter, much as usual. Once again, the difference has been that when we have had the bad weather - it's been Baaaad!

One of the theories as to why the floods came is that the hills between Lardos & Laerma have been denuded of trees after the fires of 2008. No trees = nothing to absorb the water when it rains. So, whoosh, straight down the valley...

The Gennadi tornado? Well, we've been here 5 years and have a glorious sea view from our front French windows. Every winter we've seen twisters out on the bay, sometimes three at a time! The difference last week is that one finally (which of course is a very rare occurrence) came ashore - at Gennadi.

Today it's been one of the coldest days of the entire winter, barely topping 11ºC. But that's unusual. In fact we're the only part of Greece not to have snow today!! But the forecast is for temperatures to be in the 20's by the weekend (that's 70ºF).

On balance, I'd still rather a Rhodean winter, weatherwise, than a British summer. Honest!


No comments:

Post a Comment