So now I have another reason for loving Spain and the people who live here.

They saved our house when threatened by a fire on the mountain where we live in May 2014. Approximately 75 acres or 300,000 m² were lost, all on the natural park of Montgo.

Due to the skill, bravery and organisation of the fire-fighters, civil defence personnel and the police our house with many others were saved. An especial thanks to the wonderful expertise of all those helicopter plots who for hours flew mission after mission to dowse the flames.

It was a very worrying time as evacuated we watched as the flames moved steadily towards our house and those of our neighbours. Then gradually the helicopters and fire-fighters on the ground managed to control it and the major fire started to sweep up the Montgo mountain away from us. It came within a hundred yards of our land.

Here are some photos and videos of the event and the aftermath.

Thanks again to the Spaniards who did so much for us that day and the days that followed.

Behind our neighbour’s house as published in El Pais the national Spanish newspaper

Helicopter

Helicopter dropping water behind our house which you can see through the trees

The road by our house

Here are a few videos which cover the event

Picking up water from the local La Sella golf course which we overlook

Here are some of the aftermath photographs