Tuesday morning was the day to have our conifers felled. While I am always careful not to make visitors to the house feel obliged to say yes, I did tentatively ask the team, if one, or both, would like to be in my portrait project. Somehow, Simon was volunteered. He was interested to know more details and soon agreed.
I suggested taking the photos before Dave and he started work and while they were having the first cup of tea of the day. The ivy-covered fence appeared to be a good background and I also took a few shots by the shed at the bottom of the garden.
Dave and Simon both worked for the local authority until Dave founded Talisman, covering all aspects of garden and tree maintenance, to better organize his work around his family commitments.
Simon is full-time dad to his three daughters while his wife works at the local authority as the coordinator for the countryside volunteers. He and the girls are often featured in the local authority's promotional material in respect of country parks and green spaces in the county. His youngest daughter, just three years old, is the mascot ranger for two of these country parks with her own uniform and badge.
He sees his role of house husband/full-time dad as being a more demanding job than going out to work and finds the lack of conversation the most difficult aspect: a lack of adult conversation throughout the day and consequently not much to contribute upon his wife's return home at the end of her working day.
In his leisure time he enjoys all outdoor pursuits: clay pigeon shooting, pigeon shooting (not so often available apparently), canoeing.....
It was a long day to dispatch the two conifers, needing plenty of cups of tea and muscle. I did also manage one smiling photo of Dave up the tree but was careful to ask him when he was facing me.
What a great smile and stupendous beard! I know how he feels about the lack of adult conversation - I used to feel that at one time. Now my son's conversation often goes over my head because he is so intelligent and has such fascinating scientific debates! Full circle, I guess! Lovely portrait.
Excellent narrative haze to accompany your accomplished portrait. Think that is the first time I've used accomplished in a comment , I think it had a good word to use 😀😁😂
I really appreciate you describing my portrait thus! Definitely a good word!
Excellent for the narrative is also appreciated..........
Probably he doesn't want to!