Just as we were leaving to go out last night I noticed what I thought at first was a large, low, grey cloud billowing behind the hill with the wind turbines. Then I could smell smoke. Sure enough, there was a fire raging in the distance, and the wind turbines showed clearly that it was coming in our direction.

I must confess to feeling some unease. We decided not to cancel the invitation out but to take the longer scenic route where we could see where the fire was. Luckily for us it was further away than I first thought. When we drove home I was convinced we would see it glowing red on the horizon – but nada. However, this morning the garden was covered with a fine sprinkling of ash.

And today the choppers are out again. This one was flying right over the house having emptied its huge bucket of water. I think the bombeiros (firefighters) are amazing, already one has lost her life fighting some of the worst summer fires Portugal has seen. Meanwhile the thermometer was reading 34 in the shade, in the sun it shot up to the maximum 55 in no time so have no idea what it is really. The forecast is for the temperatures to steadily fall, with rain in a week’s time. That, for me, would be a welcome change. No doubt for the bombeiros too.