My 363rd stranger is Elaine, who I met while walking Elsie (my whippet) this afternoon. Elaine crossed the road using a pelican crossing in Daybrook. As she crossed I smiled and said hello. Elsie was sniffing the floor and Elaine walked past us into the distance. After her sniff we walked towards Arnold and caught up with Elaine as she was crossing a side street by the Duck Park. In fact we were all startled by a cyclist on the pavement, who drove by us at speed. Elaine noticed the cyclist spooked Elsie and asked if she was nervous. I told her she was only 9 months old so is still learning about life on the street.
All three of us then walked towards Arnold together, the conversation being “all about dogs”.
“Are they meant to be skinny like that?” Elaine asked, pointing to Elsie’s sleek physique.
“Yes, you are meant to see their ribs, she’s a whippet, very sleek and fast”
“Not a Greyhound then” said Elaine.
“A Whippet, similar but smaller”
Elaine said she would love a dog but it would be a big commitment as she lived on her own. I told her they are good companions and everyone talks to you if you have a dog. “Elsie is my best friend” I told her (I often joke my only friend). Elaine told me she’d had cats and her Mum and Dad had owned a dog.
I asked Elaine if she was gong shopping in Arnold. She told me she was doing a bit of shopping but would be going for a drink. “Malibu and lemonade” was her tipple of choice.
By now we had reached the Greyhound pub.
“This is where I’m going for my drink” said Elaine.
Having chatted to Elaine for the whole length of Nottingham Road, I decided to ask her if I could take her photo for my strangers project. It was a bright sunny afternoon, so I asked Elaine if she could stand by some shutters at the side of local car service garage as they were in the shade.
I shot this with a Jupiter 9, 85mm f2, Russian vintage lens. It is a fine portrait lens. We shook hands , bumped fists and I thanked Elaine for the chat and photos.
@busylady thanks Judith , my narrative is a short summary of our chat, Elaine told me quite a bit of her life history which isn't right to post on a public forum :)
@casablanca thanks Casa' , Elaine gave me a warm smile for the shot :)
@casablanca thanks Casa' , Elaine gave me a warm smile for the shot :)
What a nice encounter! Elaine may be looking at adopting a pup soon.