A bracing walk

Soft weather...
Freshening conditions...
An increase in the frequency of precipitations...

Use the euphemism of your choice, in practical terms it means that the shite weather is back.
At least it was mild enough.
Those drops of rain propelled by the gale force winds hitting you in the face were at least on the warm side of not freezing.

In the background one can see a working curragh, the traditional Irish light* boat.
The old ones were made from cow hides stretched over a wooden frame and painted on the outside with a thick layer of tar.
A fast, highly maneuverable boat, best handled by those who've known it all their lives: it doesn't have a keel (having all the occupants leaning on the same side at the same time to marvel at Donnacha catching his first ever mackerel is not a good idea...)

* it takes four strong men to lift it in and out of the water