The weather has been wonderful the last three or four days. It is cold but bright. It is the best possible weather for walking during the day and reclining around the fireplace in the evening. And it is this combination of activities that has brought us to Motovun this time of the year. The temperature picks up appreciably between about one and three o’clock in the afternoon. It is surprising how warm it can be in the sun and how freezing in can be in the shade in this short period. The sun is low at all times, though. It sets soon after four o’clock, when it turns chilly rather quickly. By the morning, signs of frost can be seen all around the hilltown. However, everything is still green in spite of the snow that hit Istria several weeks ago. Only the older trees have shed their leaves. Most plants bear few signs of winter even at the end of the year. Small flowers are sprouting left and right. Spring seems to be eager to burst forth.