Ecodefence groups are seen, generally unfavourably, as a mix of ‘Green Luddites’ and ‘Green Guerillas’ (neither comparison is very satisfactory; the latter description is inept, given that they generally avoid violence, in ordinary senses, and intend none, carry no weapons, and only venture out on occasional forays). One reason for the controversialness of the tactics is that ecodefence activities conflict, through direct commission, with the laws of the state, which are commonly arranged to allow, or even encourage, environmental devastation and vandalism.

On a lighter note, Mr Rudd remarked that Elvis was indeed still alive, referring to the firefighting helicrane that doused the community with 9000 litres of water as flames swept across the region.

His late wife ran a Victorian inn in upstate New York; his son grew up mimicking his father’s medievality and, shunning his contemporaries, devoted himself to early music; his mother-in-law is an ethnic Lemko from the Carpathians, intent on recreating the way of life her people lived before their slaughter and forced deportations in the 1940s.

“That’s riled them,” said my compaion. “Good work, what?”