I hear summer is on the way..... so why is spring still dragging its feet?

Apart from a warm spell in mid-April, UK temperatures this spring have been disappointing, to say the least. And the weather in Spain wasn't particularly kind to us, when we spent a few days there the other week. I've also heard tell that southern France (not just Languedoc and Roussillon, but Provence too) has seen some weird and unseasonal weather this year - much of it cold. So what of climate change (or global warming, as it used to be termed)?

There was an an interesting special edition of Springwatch on the TV this evening, highlighting the potential impact of climate change on the delicate balance of our native flora and fauna. It was a good watch and, to its credit, didn't attempt to paint a picture of total doom and gloom - some species will find their habitats under threat, whilst other species will thrive under the changing conditions. Whatever the truth behind climate change (is it all down to man, or is it as much down to the natural cycle?) we do seem to be experiencing more extremes of weather than we used to. That said, it could be argued that this year has so far been a bit more "normal", in that we had a fairly long, cold winter and have since "enjoyed" a somewhat changeable spring. So much so that my grapevine seems to be way behind in its development, compared with the same stage in the last few years. The buds normally begin to appear in late March and have usually burst by early-to-mid April. Not that I'm in the habit of recording these things too closely, but by now I would have expected the new shoots to be growing vigorously (to the tune of a few inches per week), whereas they are still progressing at a snail's pace. Here's a picture taken yesterday, of a section of the vine I have trained between the kitchen wall and the garage, which gets maximum exposure to whatever sun we might get.....

Not that I'm too worried, since the fruit (usually lots of it) is of little use for anything other than jelly/jam and the vine is really only ornamental. Frankly it is a bit of a pain to look after, since it needs at least 2 or 3 prunings per summer, in order to keep it under control and avoid it pulling the house down! At least other things are starting to grow well, though, as we arrive at what is traditionally my favourite time of year. The Wisteria is just beginning to flower and will soon be in full bloom, whilst the Clematis at the top of the garden seems to climb higher and higher each year up the large tree planted in the school caretaker's garden on the other side of the wall. For just a few brief months each spring, it really is a glorious sight - and a glorious scent, too. Here's another photo of the sight that greets me as I turn onto the drive.....

Anyway, climate change or not, I'm going to be optimistic about this year. Despite the reluctance of the Met Office to make any sort of prediction about the weather for the forthcoming summer (they've got it so badly wrong in recent years, it is hardly surprising) I have a feeling in my water that this summer is finally going to be that barbeque summer that we've all been waiting for. Remember 1976? Cold winter, awful spring, snow in early June? Look what happened after that..........

Just remember, you read it here first. ;-)