So, just for fun, the fire engines showed up in the middle of the night. Seems the neighbours had a bonfire, and when they were done they put the embers into their compost heap. At 4am, the compost heap was burning away merrily, along with the fence in the back right-hand corner of our yard, and two trees that were in the same general area. Firemen came and chopped down the fence and drenched the area, and then everyone went back to bed.

Bonfires, in this town, are illegal. Backyard burning is banned. And even if it weren't, what species of idiot puts the remains into the compost heap?? We had to put up orange safety fence this afternoon to prevent the dogs from running mad in the neighbourhood. Which is also illegal. But perhaps we should let them anyway. Perhaps I'll give them little fire hats. They might need them.

Strange thing is, the neighbours don't seem to think it's nearly as funny as we do. Although I often find that to be the case.