Haze's strangers: No.180: Juliet by quietpurplehaze

Haze's strangers: No.180: Juliet

All the local National Properties here in Hampshire have now announced and started their programme of Christmas displays. We visited Hinton Ampner which is largely the creation of one man, Ralph Dutton, and his vision of a fine country house with comfortable Georgian living.

He once kept a copy of Aesop's Fables classic tales in his library and this year's Christmas theme is inspired by these stories.

We had a look around the rooms in the house; I took a few photos.

As we left we were recommended to visit the old-fashioned sweet shop, which we did. Two cheerful volunteers were on duty and I found myself asking the lady who served Ray (buying chocolate brazils) if she would participate in my portrait project. Meet Juliet, who willingly agreed.

Juliet has worked as a volunteer at Hinton Ampner for 13 years as a room guide and her professional training as a florist is evident in the Christmas decorations. This year she is responsible for the study depicting the fable of the goose who laid the golden eggs. A total of eight ladies have worked on the rooms.

During the course of conversation I discovered the gentleman volunteer working with Juliet in the sweet shop to be her husband, Nick, who is also a garden volunteer at Hinton Ampner.**

I have sent photos to Juliet and hope she and her husband Nick have a relaxing and Happy Christmas.


**I did not immediately recognise Nick but a little later in the conversation realised he had been one of my early subjects back in 2015 when I had just started the project - so that makes 180 portraits in 4 years:
http://365project.org/quietpurplehaze/365/2015-11-29
Another great portrait, with your lovely subject nicely framed by Christmas decorations.
December 9th, 2019  
Thanks for sharing. Well done.
December 9th, 2019  
A lovely portrait Hazel. The "foam bananas" don't sound very palatable :)
December 9th, 2019  
Bep
A nice portrait, Hazel. Beautiful Christmas decorations.
December 9th, 2019  
Another lovely portrait. You really have a talent for taking these, I think you must be good at putting people at ease.
'Foam bananas' caught my eye too and don't sound terrible appealing.
December 9th, 2019  
Great portrait shot and narrative :)
December 9th, 2019  
@merrelyn @gardencat

I noticed that. We didn't try them!
December 9th, 2019  
They should love that portrait. What a nice unexpected gift for them.
December 9th, 2019  
Wonderful portrait isn't the house pretty ( as usual!)?
December 9th, 2019  
A really wonderful portrait and info with a touch of holiday.
December 9th, 2019  
A very attractive photo Hazel...she looks the perfect NT lady! Lovely narrative!
December 9th, 2019  
Lovely portrait Hazel, wonderful detail, focus and light:)
December 9th, 2019  
Juliet looks lovely through your lens Haze and you have some nice lighting too
December 9th, 2019  
A lovely portrait and the seasonal decorations makes it special .
December 10th, 2019  
What a super portrait
December 10th, 2019  
@30pics4jackiesdiamond

Yes, but I was disappointed not to see scarecrow and his dog!
December 10th, 2019  
@phil_howcroft

Thanks, Phil - I should have asked Juliet to move sightly to avoid those pipes - could do nothing with them afterwards!
December 10th, 2019  
@quietpurplehaze I was too!! That skeletal reindeer - more oh dear!!!!! Uppark is stunning again this year, petworth most disappointing
December 10th, 2019  
Great portrait and narrative.
December 10th, 2019  
Awesome picture.
December 11th, 2019  
Great portrait!
December 12th, 2019  
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