Читать книгу Great Book of Spoon Carving Patterns - Joseph Fullman - Страница 36

As every tourist brochure to the region will constantly remind you, the Southwest enjoys Britain’s most clement climate. This is chiefly because it receives the earliest and clearest benefit from the warm air and water pushed over the Atlantic by the Gulf Stream. And it’s a good job that it does. Britain’s latitude is officially Arctic, and without the kindness of the currents the climate here would be closer to Russia’s than the Med’s. The hottest months are July and August, which also correspond to the school holidays making them also the most congested times of year. However, even in summer you shouldn’t expect uninterrupted sunshine, as this is also the wettest region in Britain (something the tourist brochures aren’t quite so keen to advertise). There is no single wet season; downpours can occur at any time, so it’s best to always be prepared. Such blazing sun as the region does get allows it to enjoy the country’s highest sea temperatures, although you might be hard pressed to tell as you stand shivering in the shallows.

Spring and autumn will generally be cooler (and wetter), but you’ll have much less company during your travels, making them perhaps the best time to visit. Winters can be cold and brutal, but beautiful, particularly after a big snowfall, although this will limit your movements rather.