At the beginning of April we had a few wet days which left fresh snow on the highest mountain peaks. So from record March temperatures, we are back to temperatures as low as 4deg C. It has rained a lot during April but it hasn't stopped the swifts from returning - the Italians would say this is the sign for the beginning of summer - nor from the cuckoo - calling from the wooded mountain behind the house. Nor has it stopped the blackbirds and sparrows from courting!