Balloons

The town of Annonay in the Ardèche in south-east France has one claim to fame. In the 19th century the Montgolfier brothers launched the first hot air balloon flight from the town square, which is overlooked by my hotel. Just around the corner, on the gable end of a tenement building, an artist has celebrated the event with this trompe l'oeil. The effect is amazingly realistic. Event the Credit Agricole, and the woman at the cashpoint are a part of the painting.

Today I spent two hours talking to the pupils of the Lycée Montgolfier, followed by an hour-and-half talking to readers at the local library. I'm all talked out.

Tomorrow it's on to Beaune where I hope to relubricate my mouth with some fine Burgundy.