Smoke in the village

I went to post some letters and buy some mushrooms and pumpkin from Manu, who runs the local alimentation. He is only open in the morning in winter. He tells me the shop has paid him nothing for two years. He and his family just eat the stock as it nears its sell by date. He always has a smile on his face and a cheerful word for everyone. The village was full of smoke and as I walked by the river the reason became apparent. The Mairie had sent its workers to clear the river bed, an important job, as when heavy rains come, the water can carry branches and rubbish down the valley only to block the bed at a critical point and cause a devastating flood.