All is white on St Martin's day

November the 11^th is St Martin’s day and he arrived on his white horse this year. It’s been snowing heavily since early this morning and is showing no sign of letting up now. There are lots of sayings in Czech connected with St Martin, mostly predictions for the winter weather:

“Na svatého Martina zima svůj chod začíná’. – On St. Martin’s Day winter begins its march.

“Na sv. Martina kouřívá se z komína”. On St Martin’s the chimneys will smoke.

“Přijede-li svatý Martin na bílém koni, metelice za metelicí se honí”. - If St. Martin arrives on a white horse, there’ll be blizzard after blizzard.

And “Je-li na svatého Martina pod mrakem, bude nestálá zima. Je-li jasno, bude tuhá zima”. - If St. Martin’s is cloudy the winter won’t be much. If it’s clear, the winter will be tough.

Even the Czech meteorological bureau has been known to keep an eye on St Martin.

To me it really feels like the beginning of winter. The Christmas tree will be trucked into the main square any day now, the Christmas markets will be underway not long after that and then St Nicholas’ day is celebrated on the evening of the 5^th December.

Guess it’s time I dug out my hat, scarf and thermos-bottle? Happy St Martin’s day!