Loving it in all weathers

At time of writing, it is eight o clock in the morning. I am sat in the chalet, on the Lac de Saint Apollinaire campsite overlooking Lac de Serre Ponçon, in my sleeping bag. While on a normal day I would be up and about for today's hike, at approximately half past six this morning the skies opened and from it fell thunder, lightning and what sounds like about as much rain to fill Lac de Serre Ponçon five times over. So I am stuck; confined to the indoors in an area nigh-on famous for its extraordinarily good weather.

And I don't mind. Partly this is because for the past four days I have had great weather, and partly because I have checked the weather forecast and for the next week its supposed to be boiling sunshine. But there is, I think, a real joy in experiencing a place in all weathers. One of the most memorable days I have had in the Lake District was walking up Kentmere Pike in the deepest of winter - the mist was so dense you could barely see a foot or two in front of you, but the ice and snow formations transformed it into a truly mystical wonderland. Or the time I went to Coniston on my birthday with the intention of walking Wetherlam when it began to absolutely pour it down and I only got as far as Levers Water, and got drenched from head to toe. Indeed, if it was not for bad weather one day in the Alps three years ago I would not have ventured from my base in Vallouise and would not have discovered Lac de Serre Ponçon in the first place.

So yes, I am stuck in a caravan for an indefinite amount of time. And yes, I wish I was out there in the glorious sunshine of the past few days. But there is something memorable about experiencing a place in bad weather, and often it is bad weather that drives you to do new and different things. And, above all, it makes you appreciate the sunny days even more.