Winter at the allotment

Winter at the allotment.  Most of the vegetation is starting to brown and go limp.  The artefacts left unseen under the abundant green growth of summer are revealed - chairs which have been consumed by bramble, tools lost in the grass, a child's wheelbarrow left upturned....  

Somethings are however still bursting with life - the brassicas and leeks for example.  These alien-like globe artichokes look like they have seen better days but provide some interesting structure.  I've bought and eaten them pickled before and really liked them.  The flower-heads are cut before they come into flower, then I think the usual method of cooking and eating them is to boil them and then dip them in butter or a vinaigrette.  I am tempted to try growing them as they look so interesting as well as being edible!