A special day yesterday: I went out on a photoshoot, with Ray of course, on my own two feet for the first time in 2 years, with just one crutch. It did feel rather strange at first as the wooden floor in our lounge which I have been pounding in walking practice is very smooth compared with outside pavements. Normally one would not notice the variations in level etc but I found I needed to keep my eyes on the ground.
First we called into Sainsbury's Local at the nearby market town of Bishops Waltham to buy milk and a few vegetables. Whilst Ray was paying for the goods, I amused myself by taking shots of the bunches of flowers on display near the exit.
As we came out of the store, I noticed a gentleman on duty at the British Legion poppy stall. This was the first chance I had found to acquire a poppy. I stopped and said hello and chose a rather shiny poppy.
And then the old excitement of the prospect of a stranger portrait surfaced and I introduced the idea. I remembered to introduce myself, something I am prone to forget. Meet George. He seemed a little surprised but agreed and I took just a couple of photos. Ray put George's email in his phone so I could send photos.
George, retired from a career in engineering, electronics and IT, was elected a member of Bishops Waltham Parish Council in 2015. He says of this work: "My hope is to be able to contribute something to the town that I am proud to call home."
I was very happy to meet him.
p.s. When we got home Ray found, from an app on his phone, that I had walked 0.8 of a mile, with one crutch - I was even happier!
Very well done Hazel…..you are a trouper because even if you can walk ok at home it takes some confidence to go out into the wide world!
Lovely to go to new places & get back to your excellent stranger project. George is a great start.
Many thanks for your comments. I had not realised until I met George, could stand on my own two feet, ask for a portrait etc, how much I had lost my confidence in asking for stranger portraits. And the pavements were so uneven - but it didn't matter!!
So pleased for you Hazel , to have the confidence to go out again and be able to walk on your own two feet and the phojo is certainly back A great portrait of this happy poppy seller !
"the old excitement of the prospect of a stranger portrait surfaced" .
One does get a little excited when one approaches a stranger !!!
Good to see you back on the streets Haze
How strange it is: I have been kidding myself that I did not mind feeling unable to get portraits but immediately I found this one standing on my own two feet, the old buzz kicked in and I found I had minded after all! 6 weeks this coming Tuesday since I got my new hip!
Lovely to go to new places & get back to your excellent stranger project. George is a great start.
Many thanks for your comments. I had not realised until I met George, could stand on my own two feet, ask for a portrait etc, how much I had lost my confidence in asking for stranger portraits. And the pavements were so uneven - but it didn't matter!!
Looking forward to seeing more 'strangers'.
One does get a little excited when one approaches a stranger !!!
Good to see you back on the streets Haze
I'll let you off that last comment!!!
How strange it is: I have been kidding myself that I did not mind feeling unable to get portraits but immediately I found this one standing on my own two feet, the old buzz kicked in and I found I had minded after all! 6 weeks this coming Tuesday since I got my new hip!