Haze's strangers: No.134: Nina by quietpurplehaze

Haze's strangers: No.134: Nina

On our way to Wells we stopped at Kilver Court for lunch and to visit the gardens. Admission tickets were purchased in The Wiggly Shed, a building many times larger than the size of a usual garden shed and filled with plants and beautiful flowers.

I checked with the lady on the desk re taking photos and while Ray was getting the tickets, I got some shots. Then I wondered if she would agree to have her portrait taken for my strangers' project which indeed she did. Her name is Nina and she is from Italy.

Ray went off into the garden and Nina kindly stood in different parts of the 'shed' for the photos. She told me that she moved to England from Italy after closing down her coffee shop and florist's business when her father died. She already knew and liked England and came to Bristol where she stayed until she found this work.

I also learnt about Nina's dogs and she showed me their photo on her phone: two French bulldogs, Bruno and Bianca, and an English bulldog, Pinuccio. She has had French and English bulldogs in varying combinations and numbers for the past twenty five years.

Nina hand-reared her two French bulldogs from birth and told me that all her three dogs have been a great comfort to her and have helped her to survive after the death of her father. Flowers being her other passion, she creates wonderful displays in her work in The Wiggly Shed.

I gave Nina one of my cards and she has already emailed me and in return, has received her portrait. I have promised to send her some photos of her flowers and plants.

"Thank you so much," I said to Nina as we said goodbye.

"I'm happy," she replied.


see associated photos here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150442566@N07/40376672431/in/dateposted-public/


Superb portrait with lovely detail composition and wonderful colours Hazel, what an interesting story begs the question why England over Italy:)
February 20th, 2018  
Just seen this on Flickr haze. Fabuuuuuuulous
February 20th, 2018  
@phil_howcroft

Hey, thank you! Nina, what a lovely lady!
February 20th, 2018  
Nice...
February 20th, 2018  
Bep
Lovely portrait, as always...
February 20th, 2018  
I love those glasses!
February 20th, 2018  
What a lovely lady. I always enjoy reading the stories behind your stranger photos.
February 20th, 2018  
Awesome picture.
February 21st, 2018  
Lovely portrait Nina looks at home sitting amongst the flowers.
February 21st, 2018  
A most heart warming story and project. To engage someone and learn, really learn about them is so very special.
February 21st, 2018  
@joysabin

A comment to treasure, thank you.
February 21st, 2018  
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