Last year I was involved in a fascinating project run by Lisa of the blog NorthWest Frame of Mind to show what was happening in different parts of the world at the same time of day. One of the most interesting and challenging projects I have participated in. Anyway, one of my ‘hours‘ was to show the back of my Ludlow house and the abandoned allotment.
Last year poppies flourished and all matter of weeds wild-flowers grew. This year the plot is smothered in Valerian of all shades – deep red, deep pink and even white. Of the poppies there has been no sign. But the most magnificent rambling rose is tumbling over the wall and the potting shed has practically disappeared from view as the ivy reclaims it.
Last Year
This Year
And a neigbourhood cat has claimed it for his crash-pad.
I shall link this post to the WPC Muse as Ludlow seems to have been a major source of inspiration for my photography over the last four years. The history of this Medieval town is fascinating; its importance hundreds of years ago when royalty lived in and visited the castle; the battles fought here in the War of the Roses. Its very position on the Marches – the turbulent Welsh/English border. With the rolling countryside surrounding the town and the wonderful open-air markets selling local produce along with all the festivals held each year this place has contributed enormously to my blog. I just hope I haven’t bored you 😀
TRAVEL WORDS 
I can never get bored with Ludlow Jude. And I promise not to get bored with Cornwall, once you settle there.
The rose is lovely, and I like the way it ‘tumbles’ over that wall.
Regards as always, Pete. x
I have never seen that rose so full of flowers before! Maybe this year is a ‘good’ year for roses.
It looks like it’s a great source of inspiration, Jude. Especially with your love of flowers. 🙂
Ludlow has been good to me, but I think I am ready for a change now 🙂
We all need changes every now and then, Jude!
Well YOU certainly do Cathy 😀
I wonder where you’ll be heading next? (After spending Christmas at home that is…)
I have no idea myself, Jude. Only time will tell!
It has never been boring Jude, but the transformation in a year is nothing short of amazing. Mother Nature appears to have pulled out all the stops!
True! That poor little potting shed is almost no more! It is probably the source of all the big black spiders that keep coming inside my home 😦
Wow what a difference, an about face, an over-abundance. Mother Nature is smiling this year or in a better frame of mind. 😀 😀
Always love your pictures and continue to enjoy with you, although being there is much better I’m sure. ❤ ❤
Ah, Tess you say the nicest things!
Ha. I tells it as I sees it. 😀 😀
What a treat for us to be able to revisit this abandoned space. It looks beautiful!
It’s definitely a wildlife haven 🙂
Wow what a difference! Beautifully captured but as Tess says much better I am sure in person.
There is very little of the old part of Ludlow that hasn’t been photographed by me, but I probably haven’t shared ALL my photos… YET!
Simply stunning Jude, I bet you would have liked to get your green mits on it!
Too right Gilly. It has been most frustrating watching this patch of land go unused right under my nose!
That’s cool to watch the evolution of this spot through your lens.
It could well be a car park next year!
Oh yes…you never know. If it is, i hope you still photograph it.
Those are magnificent changes! Never boring, I assure you. Now I have Elvis Costello in my head though (“It’s been a good year for the roses”)
I’m only sorry I didn’t photograph it when it was actually used to grow veggies. Though maybe I did? Must have a look through the old folders.
You must have 1000s of shots to choose from!
Oh yes, but beans and cauliflowers? Maybe.
Wipe the last sentence! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the pleasures of Ludlow, which is one of those places that just keeps giving. I love the difference in the block behind you. Mere nature? Or human planting? You use circle frames beautifully – and maybe I’ll swap cats!
It is an interesting town with loads to give. This little patch was once cultivated for vegetables, but abandoned a couple of years ago. The roses come from the white cottage behind me, but all that valerian is just naturally grown from last year’s seed. I am always pulling it out of my pots!
I love that cat – he looks just like my old cat Ben, such a softie.