stairway to pigeon heaven

These stairs lead up from the left bank of the Loire to the level of the open market place.  On that level is found this pigeon shelter.  Of course, the shelter has the dual purpose of also trying to control the pigeon population.  So they may not actually find it so heavenly (they are not killed but some of their eggs are injected to render them neutered).

the dovecote at Clos Lucé

Yesterday I (digitally) posted a shot of the interior of this clever building.  I say clever because the following is a description that is (physically) posted outside:

"The dovecote or "fuye" of the Château du Clos Lucé was built in 1480 by Etienne le Loup ....  The dovecote, unique of its kind in the Touraine, consists of a square exterior and an octagonal interior, and is built of brick, tuta limestone and mortar.  The angles between the outer and inner walls allow for a constant circulation of air essential for the successful hatching and rearing of young birds.  Two thirds of the way up the outside wall is the "larmier", a flat outcrop of projecting stones, convex on the lower side, to which slates were nailed to prevent predators, rats, ferrets, weasels, from climbing into the dovecote to steal eggs, drink the blood of young pigeons and drive away the parent birds.  A gap at the base of the roof timers allowed the birds to enter and leave the dovecote.  The roof is covered in flat tiles and topped by a finial in the form of a phallus, symbolizing fertility."

inside the dovecote at Clos Lucé

This amazing dovecote (shelter for raising pigeons) at Clos Lucé was built in 1480, about 30 years before the arrival of Leonardo da Vinci there.

enjoying the sunset

I'm not the only one in the neighborhood that appreciates a good sunset.  But he has a better perch.

Gertrude and Heathcliff

This couple was perched on a neighbor's TV antennae (yes they still exist) and were discussing who knows what.  In any case, it brought to mind a comedy routine from my younger days.  If you'd like to see an example, take a look here and it's about 30 seconds from the beginning.  (If you're from my generation, you may have a difficult time stopping it.)  Bon weekend !