After two hot days in Barcelona we woke on Monday morning to rain and thunder. The rain continued for the duration of our drive home, north through Figueres, across the border to Perpignan, and west to Quillan. The storm was apparently very widespread. We heard a rumour that Madrid had hail. After arriving home in Quillan we learned from friends that the storm was severe in the Aude region, including large hail stones in places.

Hail is the worst natural disaster that fruit growers face. The vinyards in the Limoux area have been badly affected.

We have continued to have cold wet weather since then. Yesterday afternoon the temperature in Quillan was only about 16 degrees. In July! Someone joked that we must be looking forward to going back to Wellington for the warmer weather there.