Tag: Wordpress

The difference a year makes…

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.

At the back
THEN
P1220187
NOW

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

Wild flowers flourish
Nature reclaims
The demise of the potting-shed

This Year

Lovely elderflowers
Beautiful roses
Valerian on the wall
White Valerian
Somewhere amongst this there is a potting shed

And a neigbourhood cat has claimed it for his crash-pad.

P1220199

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 😀

WPC: Vivid

st ives
St Ives Harbour Beach
adjective
  1. producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind.
    “memories of that evening were still vivid”
  2. (of a colour) intensely deep or bright.
    “the rhododendron bush provides a vivid splash of mauve”

    I could have gone for a vivid flower for this week’s challenge, as I have seen quite a few this week, but this shot, taken today (Friday 5 June) in St Ives seemed to fit the challenge in more ways than one. Powerful feelings – so much going on in this photograph and intense colours – reds, blues, yellows, not to mention that sky.

    I’m a huge fan of LD’s work the host of this weeks photo challenge and his wonderful street photography, but to see his work in colour you must take a look at the way he visualises the VIVID festival of Sydney, Australia. Simply the best…

The Cape Doctor

The Cape Doctor is the local name for the strong south-eastern wind – also known as the South-Easter – that blows from False Bay and funnels through to Cape Town and Blouberg during the hot summer months.  It is said to clear all pollution in the city and across the Cape Flats, offering an amazing clear sky and view of the Mother City.

enveloped 2The wind picks up moisture from False Bay and pushes it up against the flanks of Table Mountain, creating clouds (and rain) along the eastern slope. This phenomenon is locally known as ‘the Table cloth’: the top of Table Mountain is enveloped  in a huge cloud, dripping over the mountainside.

enveloped