Blowing hot and cold...

So the clocks go forward here in France this weekend, and as the days get longer and the sun gets stronger, we officially move into what I like to call 'wardrobe cyclone season'.

The days start to resemble a scene from backstage at Fashion Week as I plunder my wardrobe trying to keep up with a Spring day in the Languedoc.

From a winter coat and scarf for the school run in the morning, to a tee-shirt and flip flops at lunchtime, back to a thick sweater and socks at sunset, dressing for the weather here this time of year could be an Olympic sport.

While my pasty skin and unpainted toenails are slowly waking up from their winter hibernation, the skin on my face has gone on strike, protesting the assault of both the car's heater and air conditioning in one day.

Trying to look French chic this time of year is hard, and God knows I'm not particularly successful at it in normal weather.

I've pretty much given up and look like a bag lady most of the time, I'm wearing so many layers.

So bring on summer, when at least all I have to worry about is maintaining my dignity in a swimsuit, while surrounded by bronzed Virginie Ledoyen look-alikes prancing around at the beach...