We arrived here on 1 April, so now have a full month's experience.

Like the UK, it's been cool. We survived quite adequately without a TV, but succumbed yesterday and set it up this afternoon and the first programme that caught my eye was an article on the absence of spring.

We were reminded about the local weather on the first Sunday, having been invited for lunchtime drinks with the locals, there's only about a dozen or so in the hamlet, plus some holiday homes. They laughed at SWMBO's attempts to get some early spuds in and reminded us that this is a mountain climate and don't plant until June, hard frosts and snow in May are common! Generally 15 May is the earliest planting date.

My Davis finally died in March, so aside from a probe outside the window, temps are based on a weather station at the same altitude as us about 6 miles away. A new weather station is on the agenda.

Min is around 2c for April and I would suggest that this year it's around 0c,at least. Not counted them, but the first and last 10 days frosts seemed to be almost every night. Coldest were 28 and 29 at -6 and -5, but plenty of -3's. Only one warm night at 9c.

Day temps very variable, eg 30th 5c as well as a few others. Should average 13c,but way below that. Having said that, we had a couple of 17's, a 19 and a peak of 22c.

Even on days around 12c, in the sun it's really warm. The sun is very strong, but equally you can feel the coolness in the air.

Rain total is hard to judge. Apart from Saturday, the past week has been dry, but before that, very wet at times, but beautiful days in between. Probably not far from normal, around 80mm. When it rains, it really does rain. There was thunder mid month, which skirted North and South of here mainly, but one very thundery day with a succession of storms and hail. We were in Brives part of the day where a house was burnt down having been hit by lightning.

Recorded snow/sleet here on 7 days, but no snow cover. The cold air over the UK never got as far South as us. There was a fair bit yesterday on the slightly higher ground of the Auvergne and plenty in more Eastern parts during the month.

Other than that, it is very peaceful and beautiful here. Spring is in limbo and has only got going a bit in the last week. We have virtually no light pollution and the wildlife is amazing.

Haven't missed the UK at all so far, aside from Wednesday reaching the play-offs yesterday.

Will try to get a weather station sorted so I can report a bit more accurately in future.

DM. La Moratille. Corrèze. France.