On New Year's Day, we had a walk at Lee on Solent. Lots of folk out and about despite the chilly grey weather. We noticed that the Hovercraft Museum was open so decided to have a look.
In the ticket office, Alex, a volunteer and trustee, learning that I was shooting the retro clock on the wall for a special challenge, kindly offered to bring a special clock out of the archive for me. He appeared with it when we were in the café having a drink.
Set in a part (the turbine or turbine blade - believe I have that correct) of a Hovercraft engine, the clock was a retirement gift to the chief engineer of the Proteus team. After his death the family gifted it to the museum and it remains in the archive until a display case is available.
Having taken photos of the clock, I asked Alex if he would be in my strangers' project and have his portrait taken. He readily agreed and told me a bit about himself.
This opening was special for New Year's Day. He normally works every Saturday at the museum, which has the world's greatest collection of Hovercraft. His career is in IT and he likes snowboarding, and his method of transport is his motor bike.
The museum is managed and run entirely by volunteers and during our conversation with Alex, we met his mum who also works there as the shop manager. She was equally as knowledgeable and enthusiastic as Alex, and told us where to find the display of Sir Christopher Cockerell's 1955 prototype for the hovercraft.
On a visit to Southsea, I'm always interested to catch a photo of the Hovercraft setting off to the Isle of Wight. I love the roar and the huge splash! So this was a great and unexpected photo opportunity.
We do need smiles - believe it or not Alex told me before I took the shot that he didn't make a good portrait. So many times I have heard that during my strangers' project!
All the volunteers wore the same hat and jacket with logo - and were all so enthusiastic.
We do need smiles - believe it or not Alex told me before I took the shot that he didn't make a good portrait. So many times I have heard that during my strangers' project!