I felt a little quiet time was in order last week and decided to take my camera to the Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty. It was a dull afternoon so plenty of parking space in the lane where I usually leave the car.
As I approached the second gate into the water meadows, Kate was coming towards me, having walked nonchalantly round one of the British White Cattle standing in her path. We said hello and then I shamelessly used the cow as an excuse to ask for Kate's photo as I hoped it would be moved before I reached it. (I'm not exactly frightened of these animals, you understand, but just have a healthy respect for them.)
Kate was quite happy to agree and was interested in the project. I took four photos and she told me a bit about herself: she lives nearby and often takes a walk along this route; she is a retired teacher which was her lifelong career. I asked what she likes doing now and she said,oh, the usual things - eating, drinking, walking.
I could imagine her as a compassionate and practical teacher with little children. I've set a cameo portrait of Kate against a backdrop of the avenue of trees which the path passes through after the open meadow.
On my return from the almshouses, a cow was standing crosswise right up against the same gate but luckily a jogger came along and I followed him through.
A very handsome lady Hazel. She has a smiley face. I know & love cows & am not frightened of them & you are right to have a healthy respect for them, it's not wimpy. Cows can be unpredictable & can be quite rough in play & curiosity.
Thank you but it doesn't feel brave to me - perhaps I am filtering subjects all the time to see who would be likely!! I don't mind a refusal so perhaps that's part of it (I've had one so far and there was a valid reason.)
She has a lovely smile. You're doing brilliantly with you strangers. I have vision of you jogging casually pretending that you're not avoiding the cow!
Pat, you always make me feel a whole lot better!!!
Thank you but it doesn't feel brave to me - perhaps I am filtering subjects all the time to see who would be likely!! I don't mind a refusal so perhaps that's part of it (I've had one so far and there was a valid reason.)