On 8th December we visited the market with the owners of the dog that we use for truffle hunting. The number of vendors was quite small but nevertheless the price was pretty reasonable and we bought ours at just under €500 per kilo. Two weeks later things were very different. Because of frosts the volume of truffles on offer was very small and it was the last chance to buy before Christmas. When the bell went at 2.30pm to signal the opening things got quite vicious. Judy, who stands little more than 5ft high, pushed her way through the crowds and seized a likely looking basket and managed to hold onto it despite severe competition. The price was pretty steep though - just over €1,200 a kilo.