Last weekend, we went to the open day at Fairweather's, a specialist agapanthus nursery. Ray wanted to buy a plant or two and learn more about their cultivation and I took my camera as usual.
The displays of agapanthus, in white, in shades of blue, and in the new two tone colours of blue and white, were spectacular.
While Ray went on the tour, I had a walkabout to take some photos. I had a little excursion into the surrounding New Forest and took shots of the bright purple heather and the sheep-like clouds.
On my return to the nursery I noticed a young lady manning the 'welcome' table at the entrance and thought she would be a lovely portrait subject. I introduced myself and my strangers' portrait photography, and Joana was very happy to be included. Noticing a slight foreign accent I discovered that she is from Bulgaria and on that day was just helping out at the nursery where her husband is the manager.
Joana's regular job is as a project administrator at a construction company. I asked where she had learnt her excellent English and she told me that she had been taught French and Spanish at school but her knowledge of English has all been acquired in her daily life here. I was impressed.
Initially I took a few shots by a nearby tall hedge but a little later, noticing the walkie talkie, I asked Joana to pose with that in the shade of the large umbrella over the table.
I guessed that Joana does not have too much free time and she agreed with that but told me that she loves cooking. She follows the custom of her native Bulgaria where there are no ready meals to be had and she cooks everything from scratch.
Joana told me that on her first visit to England in the summer of 2012, it rained every day and she loved it. I was so surprised at this comment that I forgot to ask her what summer weather is like in Bulgaria.
To my question about ambitions for the future, Joana responded that she would like to work in office administration and feels her current job has brought her partway to that goal. I wish her all the very best.
see more portraits here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150442566@N07/albums/72157674948019094
Thanks for the info!
I noticed that too - so good to see you here, Babs!
Our existing plant in a pot has more than 30 blooms!
I need to move it and give it a motivational supplement and a good talking to!