Spring on the way, but cold!

 

Today, here are some of my recent preoccupations, especially for those of you who don't see Facebook.

Of course, the continuing standoff about Brexit is always on our minds.  This recent article in the Guardian followed the recent talks which at least promise making the best of a bad job - as the Guardian article says, the hardliners seem to be losing energy :"They remained convinced that the way to get foreigners to do what you want is to shout louder.", but no longer, I hope.  Of course, we feel it would be even better to restore links with the EU, especially since so many exporters in Europe have given up on sending goods to Britain because of the long delays.

Five years ago we were stranded in England because Montpellier airport did not have a snowplough.  This week's snow here was not as severe, and very short-lived, but pretty while it lasted.  But the weather is still very cold in Lunel

                 

I've always loved flamingos, of which there are plenty here and (apparently) still more around Turkey.  So two pictures now, neither taken by me - one of them here in the snow, another from Turkey I think.

We are glad to be in France rather than the UK for many reasons, not least the shambolic public transport.  I know France is not perfect but this letter to the Guardian sums up what we see across the channel following the report 'Rail Force One’: how Ukraine railways got Joe Biden safely to Kyiv', "In 2017, the RMT said that 70% of UK rail routes were wholly or partly owned by foreign states. Could someone persuade Ukraine to take over the TransPennine Express)? John Illingworth, Bradford"

The Pic Saint Loup is often in our thoughts, not just because the local landmark  gives its name to very good local wines but because it is a beautiful area and the only significant mountain between the sea and the Cevennes.  This is one of many pictures we see, this one from one of the tourist offices in the area.

Two things to finish with - first some superimposed maps.  There are several floating around at the moment, mainly showing how much larger Australia is than western Europe.  For example...

And finally, a message in a bottle...