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
A small and belated September update for 2024, where I am still, after many years' membership, on 365 Project, also now posting elsewhere but wanting...
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.
'Foam bananas' caught my eye too and don't sound terrible appealing.
I noticed that. We didn't try them!
Yes, but I was disappointed not to see scarecrow and his dog!
Thanks, Phil - I should have asked Juliet to move sightly to avoid those pipes - could do nothing with them afterwards!