In the news

There was a huge fire in the countryside around our village yesterday, burning 50 hectares of garrigue, the wild shrubs and trees that grow on the uncultivated hillsides. Fortunately, according to the local newspaper, no houses were burnt, although there are a few isolated dwellings scattered around the area. There's more about it (in French), including a dramatic photo of a plane dropping water onto the fire, on the Midi Libre website.

Am I a ghoul or an obsessive photographer, wanting to get some shots of the damage today? In the event, as I was turning into a small side road leading to where the fire had been extinguished a fire engine emerged, lights flashing and horn blaring, so I decided it was better not to get in the way as the emergency services are obviously still keeping a close eye on it in case it starts again.

I blipped the closest I've been to one of these frightening fires a couple of years ago.