It is always dark when the firefighters call....

A strange tradition. During the first week in December we receive a visit from the local fire brigade.

Two fire fighters knock at the door at about 8.30pm and offer me a flimsy paper calendar for which I will pay 10 euros.

The Fire Brigade calendar...

For the last 10 years this has happened, I receive a receipt for my 10 euros and the fire fighters leave, stuffing the 10 euro note into a jacket pocket, to visit our neighbours.

I have absolutely no idea what the money is for… but what I do know, is that within a day or so, I will receive a similar visite from La Poste!..