Alphabet Soup The bar of the Hôtel l'Espérence, a slightly run-down establishment here in town, is my regular venue for a morning coffee with a few friends... or whoever happens to be there. There are no strangers here; even a first-time visitor... Bastille Eve Parade French towns of any size celebrate the Eve of Bastille Day with a torch-lit, drum-beating procession. So it is in Preuilly-sur-Claise in the sud-Touraine where many join in... the less sprightly raise their arm to hold a charged glass aloft and shout Vive la France! Number 16 When I showed print-outs of my photo weblogs to friends in the local bar, only those who could be described as having an “artistic” persuasion looked at my semi-abstract detail shots. The others who were masons, builders or unemployed didn’t... Pastis 51 In local bars I've seen Pastis painstakingly dribbled onto and through a slowly dissolving sugar cube balanced on an ornately perforated silver spatula made for only that purpose - how many, or few, glasses would have to be consumed before... Sunflowers The annual sunflower originated in Mexico and Peru... an outlined design can be seen in Aztec temple artwork. It takes it’s name from heliotropism, the term for a plant which turns to follow the sun’s path throughout the day. Wall Abstract When I produce enough illustrations in this section to compile a “Treasure Trail” for visitors to Preuilly-sur-Claise, this abstract detail will be one of the subjects to search for. As a clue (there are no prizes)... it’s on a wall built parallel to the river.

Preuilly-sur-Claise is at the southern tip of the Indre-et-Loire (département 37) and approximately mid-way between Tours to the north and Poitiers to the south west. The town and surrounding gently-rolling countryside is typical of the sud-Touraine... the climate is warm and dry whilst the people are warm and effusive. Because not many people in this rural area speak any English there is the necessity to learn at least a smattering of French... but no matter how badly you think you are doing in the shops and street, your efforts are always appreciated because you are seen to be trying. When you don't make any effort to communicate in their tongue you are soon regarded as very trying!