Stormy Weather

Istrian Coastal Winter

As I sit at my computer contemplating the rain and wind outside, I’m glad I have the flexibility to stay home and warm and dry. It’s been a rainy winter. This is not terribly surprising, when one is living on the coast, but still. Quite rainy.

The current view from my living room. You can’t tell in the photo, but it is raining. And earlier the wind was also gusting.

There are sunny days interspersed, though, like yesterday. The early morning was mostly cloudy, but the clouds burned off by lunch time and I had a very nice afternoon walk. The following photos are actually from a previous sunny day a little over a week ago because I totally forgot to take photos yesterday, but they’re representative.

On the promenade, looking across the bay at Vižula Archeological Park.

I love to walk - I get great thinking done on walks. When I was in Zagreb last and walking to a store, I was imagining conversations between nebulous characters for possible stories in my head. I kept catching myself mouthing the words and making various facial expressions, which always makes me wonder what other people think if/when they notice.

Writers, am I right?

On yesterday’s walk, I was thinking about the premise and characters in my newest work-in-progress. As usual, I got some great thinking done on my walk, and on this occasion figured out a few things I’m pretty sure will end up being part of the narrative.

On the promenade still, with the harbor behind me (Vižula partially visible on the left.)

I’m a big fan of sunny winter days, and here in southern Istria the weather’s already warming up such that the sweater I was wearing became too warm as I walked back home, up the hill in the sun. I saw one of those absurdly large, fuzzy bees on my walk yesterday.

Spring is coming before I’m ready for it, even though I’m happy with the longer days and won’t be sorry for more consistently nice weather. I’ve been here four and a half months - more than halfway through my planned time - and I’m not sure how that happened so quickly. But I’ve got a new project I’m excited about and getting ready to draft, so all is well. Even on a dreary day like today. :)