Graham Ellicott takes a break from his exhausting researches into the connections between between beaches, food and drink and firefighters in southern France

Bon dia de Catalunya, fa molta calor, fa sol!

I write on holiday from that part of Southern France that isn’t really France but is part of Catalonia. Many people only associate Catalonia with Spain but there is a considerable part of it in France reaching up nearly as far as Nabonne. I have to tell you that the language is alive and well, as indicated in the Catalan greeting above which means: ‘Good day from Catalonia, it’s very hot and sunny’!

As proof that us Fire Industry Association guys never rest, I have not been able to avoid all things fire. A visit to the beach means possibly being rescued by the local firemen - the Sapeur Pompiers. Indeed the number of young women who seem to get into difficulties in the calmest of seas is either a testimony to the poor level of swimming teaching in France, or more likely the physique of the local firemen!

These guys multi-task in all senses and give the lie to the fact that only middle aged women are capable of this skill. Why do I say this? Well not only do they act as lifesavers, but they are also the paramedics who will revive you and deliver you to hospital after you have imbibed too much local wine, fallen off your bike and broken a much-needed collar bone.

Sapeur Pompiers are everywhere! At the last two local town fiestas I have attended, it is they who cooked and served me my moules frites accompanied by cold beer – having first enquired whether I was going to cycle home! Their presence at these civic events is mainly to raise funds, but the respect that they have from the local population is a pleasure to see.

But of course these guys are also involved with putting out fires. A swift read of the regional newspaper supplies plenty of evidence of this, with headlines (roughly translated) such as:

“A fire that started on the fifth floor of an apartment block”
“The fire spread close to the beach”
“Wildfire at Espira-de-L’Agly”
“More suspicious fires”
“False Alarms, the fire service needs to be paid”

This evening there is to be a ‘Fete de la bière’ in a nearby town and I look forward to seeing the local Sapeur Pompiers again. I can already taste the moules frites followed by the hoppy bitterness of the Bière de la Catalunya.

By the way, I’m getting the bus to and from this event!

Que vagi bé!