And another

The family had departed and we were snoozing in front of the television when a thunderous roar overhead woke us up.

There were three of them, Canadair water bomb planes and, after they circled low above us, they set off for an area about two kilometers away. Our local arsonist was at it again.

This could be interesting, I said, so off we went to see the fire close up. I know, I know, you think we're a couple of sad gits to go and watch a disaster happening but there was nothing on television and, more to the point, I knew where we'd get a good vantage point.

The planes work in threes, circling, until the lead plane drops down close to the fire and drops his water. The next two planes just follow his example. They then head off east to reload with water from the Rhone, about nine minutes flying time away.

I've got to say the fire brigade are really switched on around here and together with the planes they had the fire under control in no time. Good effort guys.