Gourd

I went for a walk to visit my friend Sharon to give her some Flea Tablets that my Cat won't take; he used to.
Anyway on my way there I used a short cut where I noticed a plant hanging over the fence; I saw it last year too & am fascinated by it.
This is a bud of the plant that turns into quite a large off white flower, then it turns into a large pod of sorts that is soft & downy to the touch.
Yes I believe it is of the Gourd family, but is it one you can eat or not.
I like unusual plants; my Luffa had nice big yellow flowers, but it never grew Luffa's before it died.
If I see the owners I will ask what it is & what do they use it for, it might be just to cover the fence & look pretty. :)