How often can you sit in an English park in October, sunning yourself in a short-sleeved t-shirt? It´s possible, granted, although without the sun putting in an appearance, your arms will look like a plucked chicken. At times like this, basking in the warmth of the sun, I remember why I moved. I couldn´t face another grey, cold English winter, and snow is almost completely unknown in the region where I live. With only ten days remaining until November, we are still experiencing days of 24C (that´s 75F for those of you who haven´t obeyed the EC directive and gone metric).

Strangely enough, though, all things being relative, a temperature that the English would be glad to experience in summer – let’s face it, anything vaguely resembling a summer is an almost unknown concept – isn´t that impressive here (except to boast about to friends and relatives unfortunate enough to still be living ´back home´). You know you´ve gone native when 24C seems a touch on the cool side, after endless summer days of 32C.

It’s not all sun and sangria though, and anyone visiting Spain in winter would be well advised to pack some clothes for colder weather. When it rains here, which happens more than you might think, it really rains, not like that pathetic English excuse for rainfall which leaves you wondering if it’s worth putting up your umbrella. Still, it provides a source of great amusement to watch tourists dressed in shorts and flip-flops even when it is raining. With their ´I´m in the Mediterranean, so it must be warm, even if it´s winter´ attitude, you just know they have to be British. There are also plenty of ‘I’m so tough, I don’t need to wear a coat’ stag parties, all of whom seem immune to the fact that it’s only 10C (yes, I know that’s summer in England).

While Damart thermal clothing might not be an essential item for Spanish residents, it might come as a surprise to learn that in certain areas, such as the Basque Country in the north, winters can actually be quite cold. In the mountains, it can be downright freezing. Central heating is not ubiquitous in Spanish homes, so a heater is a useful purchase, especially when it comes to taking a shower (brrr). Nights can be chilly, and a blanket and warm Damart pyjamas are needed to keep you warm. Better still would be a handsome young Spanish man, but alas, you can’t buy those at the shops. Sadly, Spain doesn’t have everything …