Weather

[David Shaw]

Carol is finalising the translation of a book; French - French/English - English/English!
We are looking for an English term that relates to those few days in late spring when winter tries its last gasp.
Here we call it the 'Gab o' May' and the direct French translation is 'Blackthorn Winter'.
But we cann't figure out a general English term for this. I was born and brought up not too far from two other regular contributers to the forum and, though it was a long time ago, I don't remeber the weather going back on itself like this in Yorkshire. It is obviously recognised in France and I can still remember being snowed in one morning in June in Aberdeenshire.
Does anyone else know what I am talking about and is there a generaly recognised name for this?

[Anthony Darby]

Winter's last gasp comes to mind?

[bendgardener]

The last of this winter's snow melted earlier this week and this morning I woke up to a landscape that was all white.  Last year we did not have a month inwhich the temparature did not drop to at least 32 degrees, Oh by the way I am in the U.S. In the Oregon Cascades at about 4,750 feet elevation.  We had six nights in June with frost, one in July, and two in August.  It is a challanging place to garden. 
Bob Crain

[Ian Y]

Welcome to the forum Bob, that does sound a tough place to garden with frosts every month, puts our complaints in perspective.
We have had frosts in June in Aberdeen and they can start again in August but that is exceptional.
The saying here is that we have four months of bad weather followed by winter
I am looking forward to coming to Oregon in April, 2009 hope you have got rid of the snow by then.

[David Nicholson]

Carol is finalising the translation of a book; French - French/English - English/English!
We are looking for an English term that relates to those few days in late spring when winter tries its last gasp.
Here we call it the 'Gab o' May' and the direct French translation is 'Blackthorn Winter'.
But we cann't figure out a general English term for this. I was born and brought up not too far from two other regular contributers to the forum and, though it was a long time ago, I don't remeber the weather going back on itself like this in Yorkshire. It is obviously recognised in France and I can still remember being snowed in one morning in June in Aberdeenshire.
Does anyone else know what I am talking about and is there a generaly recognised name for this?

David, you have had me pondering all day (I knew that with a name like Shaw you were not a Scot-good old West Riding name, hundreds of Shaws in Huddersfield). The only phrase I can think of is "backendish". It is one my Dad used regularly, and I find myself using it too but then have to come up with a translation for the locals. It is used, at any time of the year, whenever the weather turns unseasonably cool, often as a morning greeting to a neighbour. As in, over the garden fence "bit backendish today Arthur" always accompanied by a rubbing of the hands and arms.

I'm sure it wouldn't fit Carol's translation though

[Anthony Darby]

Not heard of 'backendish' but certainly 'backend' referring to the late autumn.

[David Nicholson]

Not heard of 'backendish' but certainly 'backend' referring to the late autumn.

Anthony, that's the root of the expression but the added 'ish' appeared to mean that it could be used in any season.

[David Shaw]

David
Shaws are a sept of Clan MacIntosh who backed Bonnie Prince Alex, sorry Charlie, in the uprising and originated in Loch Ness side. Some were shunted southwards and ended up in Rotherham! I am not a historian but this is possibly an interesting line of investigation for someone.
Anthonys 'winters last gasp' sounds to be a possible option to our query.

[Anthony Darby]

Ah, the Shaws of Loch Ness

[David Nicholson]

I don't think anyone would land in Rotherham unless forced to do so!!

[David Nicholson]

Ah, the Shaws of Loch Ness

Ohhhhhhhhh

[Anthony Darby]

The Martians landed in Huddersfield - Mike Harding wrote a boooook about it.

[David Nicholson]

He also ran into the back of my car when I worked in Manchester.

[David Shaw]

Rather breezy today. Not the 250mph winds such as they are having in the States but it is blowing a gale out there. Not possible to do anything outside.
This is a view of the soil blowing in the neighbours tatty field. This should happen in March, not May!

[Anthony Darby]

Aye, David. Someone's definitely left a gate open. Two of my blue Camassia spikes have been snapped off