Worker number one then re appeared and explained that he thought the tunnel was one that arrived at a grill in front of our house at road surface, and that it should not be emptying rainwater into our cellar. Would I be so kind as to ask my Wife to throw some water down the grill in order that he could confirm that this was in fact the source of our problem. I went upstairs and asked Carol to pour some water down the grill and then returned to the cellar in time to see the second worker beginning to disappear along the tunnel. Unfortunately for him, Carol had misunderstood the quantity of water required, to prove the route of the tunnel, and so, threw a very large and full bucket of water through the grill. This soaked the workman, who was now trying to crawl quickly out of the tunnel. At the same time the toads that had previously been ejected were trying to regain access, causing more shouting and the use of French words, that I had never heard before and have never found in a French - English Dictionary. After several minutes of muttering between the workers, in unintelligible French, they decided that the only satisfactory way for me to end my problem was to pour large amounts of concrete into the grill and seal the entrance at the road end. Upon inspection, I realised that to do so would cause a huge problem to my neighbour whose door was lower than the grill, and at the end of a short cul de sac where any rainwater would collect to about a meter in depth. I pointed this out to the workmen, and they replied. But that is no problem here in the midi, it seldom rains. Whilst I accepted that, it seldom rained in the Midi, I could not help but think of the times that it did rain. When at that moment, my new neighbour arrived on the scene I was quick to point out my problem, and also that the suggested solution could present a problem for him, only to get the reply But here in the Midi it seldom rains. I was trying to imagine the consequences of blocking a drain in London, and started to worry about my actions if I did so in France, especially as a foreigner. Just then, one of the two Councilors in the village who was universally known as Monsieur le Mayor because of his eagerness to seek out and advise all and sundry on the Councils work, arrived on the scene. In desperation I tried to discuss the advice that I had been given, about blocking the drain and its probable consequences, only to be told But here in the Midi it seldom rains They then promptly left to drink a Pastis and undoubtedly discuss the new English member of the community, whilst I stood looking at the grill to ponder my options alone.