Let's discuss the climate of Belgium and the Netherlands. It's not exactly tropical, is it?
No, think more consistently damp. Charmingly damp, of course.
Charmingly damp! It's less about sunny beaches and more about stylish wellies. Imagine a wellies fashion show!
"Wellington Runway"... a puddle-hop competition with a year's supply of dehumidifier bags as the prize. Humidity is a constant presence.
Humidity, the uninvited guest! But it's never boring. You might get a drizzle, a downpour, or ten minutes of sunshine.
It's a weather thriller! Locals are experts; they predict rain with a nose twitch. A practical superpower.
A nosetwitching weather oracle! Let's talk seasons. Are they distinct, or just shades of grey?
Shades of grey! Spring is a slightly less angry grey, summer a hopeful grey, autumn melancholic, and winter… why-bother grey. But the grey makes the buildings pop.
Silver linings in the grey clouds! For those unaccustomed, it must be a shock. "Where's the sun?"
The sun's on a very long vacation. It's character-building weather, and it strengthens the immune system.
Character-building dampness! What thrives in dampness? Tulips in the Netherlands, perhaps Brussels sprouts in Belgium?
Tulips are the rockstars. But there's lots of green – grass, trees, moss. And the cozy factor! Hot chocolate and a book in the rain.
Atmospheric dampness! For those considering moving there, is it just rain and grey skies?
Nice bits exist, occasionally. A sunny spring day, pleasant summer evenings indoors. It's not the Mediterranean, but it's homey.
Homey dampness! The locals must have amazing raincoats. Stylish or practical?
Practical. Function over fashion. Stylish wellies are attempted, but staying dry is key. Layers are essential.
Supermarket expeditions in November! What about extreme weather? Unexpected snowstorms, giant hailstones?
Not usually. Dramatic drizzle or a forceful breeze, perhaps. Extreme weather is more "slightly inconvenient." Maybe snow that shuts down the country for a day.
Slightly inconvenient weather as extreme weather! It's endearing. Polite rain! To sum up, Belgium and the Netherlands are reliably damp and grey, but charmingly so.
You missed the nosetwitching oracles and wellie shows, but yes. And no sunburns! Always silver linings.