Architecturally pleasing

I've had a day at home today. There's a lot to catch up with after a week of the Walking Festival and I needed to gently check that Mum was resting. The cellulitis has still not cleared after 10 days of antibiotics. (She has 2 weeks to get completely better, before I go to India - no pressure then!)

It rained here most of the day and the light levels were very low. At about 5 pm I went to take a birthday card to a friend in the village who was celebrating 70 years today. There was no sign of life at the house and I suspect they are with family. I'd taken the camera, planning to capture a shot of the birthday girl.

In the garden the bear's breeches (acanthus mollis) were still in flower. I had to use flash to take this because it was so dark and also windy. Then I processed it into a mono image which I hope enhances the strong structure. (Not quite an emergency blip tonight thank goodness.)