In fact, you must like it hot if you’re planning on spending summer in Provence. Though some summers are nuttier than others, and this one might just turn out to be a humdinger. It certainly is starting off with an impressive amount of chaleur.
It’s not abnormal to have 30-degree temperatures consistently until mid-September, but having high 30s in June, that’s a touch unusual. I haven’t had a day below 30 degrees since I arrived, and several in the upper 30s. As a result, a lot of produce is early, which is wonderful, but sadly, the jasmine disappeared too quickly.
It’s during these hot days that I wish I were a morning person. Like a super early-riser. I have always admired people who get up early; it’s such a quiet and beautiful time of day (well, more so in summer when it’s light out. In winter, you’ve got hours of darkness before the sun rises, which I would happily rather sleep through.) But in summer, when it’s +30 by 9 o’clock as it was today, getting out early is such a treat. Having breakfast outside and it being so warm that you don’t need a sweater is almost miraculous.
And don’t get me started about cycling. The light is beautiful, and the air marginally less stifling, and there are so few people out. It’s magic.
But try as I might, it’s rare for me to get to sleep early enough to get the hours needed to wake up in the wee hours of the morning and feel refreshed. It’s only due to a change in time zones or a noisy neighbour that I am forced to rise before my natural time. So, on the infrequent mornings I can manage it, I will soak up the blissful solitude and freshness.
The old Cramerotti is still going strong :)
