A degree of excitement came into our dull, rural lives this weekend when the air ambulance clattered overhead and parked up, as it were, over the tree clad hills. Apparently some peasant had almost sawn off one of his legs with a chain saw. Claret everywhere, as you might imagine. Anyway two paramedics were winched down and then winched back up with said peasant. The smoke was the result of the downdraught fanning the embers of a fire that the other woodcutter had lit to guide the helicopter in. By the way, if you ever need an ambulance in Italy you dial 118; the fire brigade is 115 and the police is 112. Or is it 113? Hmm.
