A big hello to you all.
I am just testing the waters with my first post or discussion, not sure the exact format of the forum here so just busting in really.
I am Irish married to a German, we are leaving Ireland soon to move to France hopefully to the Ariege/Aude departments, close enough to the mountains. Where we choose and what we choose will depend on our property sale here. Of course it is the worst time to sell in Ireland but it is the best time to buy so we have decided to market our home independently on the net.
We have done two reccies (first was the Limousin and Auverne regions and second last year in Midi-Pyrenees and Languedoc. We are very keen on the Ariege and Aude departments.
We are mostly concerned about the weather patterns as I am allergic to rain (yes that is a condition! It occurs when you spend most of your life being pissed on for 360 days of the year. Just yesterday parts of city and county Cork were devastated by local flash flooding, not to mention the huge floods of 2009/2010) We have had enough.
We need sun, warm-hot summers, but also will appreciate seasons, and don't mind a cold winter as long as it doesn't last 6 months! I think that's why the foothills of the mountains may suit us. I have read a lot of mistrals and scary hot and cold winds and also that weather can be quite localised and each department has mini climates. It's mind boggling.
Oh dear, I think I am having a bit of a rant. I adore Ireland for most of the reasons I see you all adore France but the rain, the rain.
I am here to listen, interact and learn. I am not looking for professional advice but looking to hear what you are saying from a personal level.
So all personal recommendations on weather and good areas to check out this autumn are hugely welcome.
What can I guarantee in return? Humour, Irish jokes (the funny ones), and chip in with knowledge and advice where I can!
Looking forward to chatting with you all and thank you for accepting me as part of this forum, go raibh míle maith agaibh
Elaine