Off I go again......

Ludlow in the autumn on a glorious sumnny day has to be seen to be appreciated. The sun warms the old stone of the castle and the rows of trees around the base fringe it with gold. As we stood on the steps of Dinham House and looked up at the castle walls someone had removed the Virginia creeper in a tidy up but strands of the blood red leaves still stuck in the masonry high above us looking like streaks of blood on an old grey elephant, battle wounds, honour scars. Dinham House, once the home of Lucien Bonaparte, Nelson's brother, has had a history that is chronicled in glass cases and story boards in a quiet room on the first floor, the rest of it is beautifully laid out as a walk round exhibtion of Clearview woodburning stoves. Each room is decorated and furnished to perfection and each room has a woodburning stove lit and oozing warmth. We sat on the enormous dark red sofa in the first room and just gazed around at the lovely wooden arm chairs, the fireplace, the mirrors, the baskets and stored up ideas for the future. Such a clever way to sell their product - warm you through well, relax you in beautiful surroundings and grab your cheque book on the way out - no they didn't - honest. But should you be in Ludlow it is a lovely way to spend an hour or so as we did yesterday- then just wander out into the Castle Square, call at Price's the bakers for something for tea, the Castle Bookshop and down the alley to De Greys where the atmosphere is warm and tea cups tinkle amongst murmered conversations and young ladies in black and white deliver white china and tea strainers to the table with deft elegance.

The cellar rooms in Dinham House with terracotta plant pots along the windowsills

Then I could add some details of the visit to the dentist but I won't spoil it.....

On the way home I decided to take the hill route it was such a gorgeous day and found a wily old fox drinking from a puddle - I thought he would run off but he stayed on the verge playing with something, like a cat with a mouse. Camera out and ready I just left the car in the middle of the road and tried to creep back - me and 'creep' just do not go together really - and my heels clipped on the tarmac in places - he was just so engrossed in his game or stone deaf he let me get so close. His tail was old and manky more like a well worn bottle brush. I had a moment of 'yikes what if he goes for me? - bet he is rabid!' Another wild life photographer was born in that moment but I guess I may only ever have one picture in my portfolio....