Andrew The Professor
Strangers 395 - Jade and Mollie
Two friends were chatting at the top of Glastonbury Tor. I thought that either or both would make fine strangers but didn't want to break in on their conversation. I overheard that they planned to go half way down and then come up again before going down to meet someone else, perhaps for a coffee. Not wanting to miss my opportunity, I approached and made my pitch: "Excuse me, would it be OK to take your photo? ….".
They agreed. One suggested that the other go first. They both hesitated, then one asked if it would be OK to be photographed together. I might have preferred to photograph each individually, then the two together afterwards. Remembering that they were meeting someone, so they had limited time. Also recognising that they were chatting a great deal, so they wanted to spend time together. It made sense to follow their suggestion. I agreed after but a moment's thought.
Both agreed that they could spare a few minutes and we sat down on the grass, near St Michael's tower. They asked if I would like to hear the story of how they met. They had been to the same schools in their early years, Mollie had gone to live in Australia when she was 12 but it was only when she returned 10 years later that they really became friends. Their families were close but Jade and Mollie did not get to know each other until they found themselves working in the same retail outlet. After this they travelled together and lived in Australia for a year.
Both enjoy keeping fit and Jade told me a little about herself, while Mollie listened. Jade's mum played rounders for England and her dad is a keen cyclist. Jade used to do powerlifting but hurt her back. She mentioned a few other sports, including netball. She told me that she is competitive and trained for netball because she enjoyed winning matches.
Jade wants to go to New Zealand and will travel via Australia. She doesn't go to the gym but keeps fit by cycling. This is good because this helps with her saving, she does not have to pay for gym membership. She also gets to enjoy the countryside and fresh air.
"Oh, I didn't tell you that I have been doing time trials" Jade said. I had imagined that Jade was telling me, then I realised that she was telling her friend. She is doing this with her dad. He started cycling for fitness, 4 years ago and managed to lose 4 stone in weight. Jade's mum has been cycling even longer but Jade told me she streaks past her mum as they go up hill. Though Jade has not been cycling long she has great lower body strength. Mollie said that Jade has strong thighs and Jade agreed.
Jade told me that her bike is broken. She did not admit straight away that it got broken when she fell off. One day recently the chain had got stuck and because she was wearing cleats, she toppled over. As she fell Jade managed to land on her bottom, so she did not get injured. Later she was cycling on a steep hill, when the chain slipped and she fell off again. This time she injured her knee and the bicycle was damaged too. I wondered if her bicycle would be expensive to repair. Jade said that her dad was very good and he would take care of it. The cycling is something that they enjoy doing as father and daughter. A good bonding thing.
Jade commented on how tanned Mollie's skin looked next to her own. Mollie had been travelling in Europe and got a suntan in there.
Mollie practices yoga and enjoys music. I asked if she performs, perhaps she sings. She told me that everyone else in her family sings. They perform in the band Midrod Ends, which was formed by her grandparents in the 60's. Mollie told me that Jade enjoys vlogging and that I should put a link to her YouTube channel, so here it is www.youtube.com/user/Jadeee161193
When we had finished, Mollie said that her boyfriend would be waiting to meet with them. I asked if I might walk down the Tor with them as I was headed back too. They agreed. A little way down, Jade decided that she would like to take a photo of St Michael's tower. She wasn't happy with how the image was looking and I suggested that she might get a better shot from the other side. We walked back up the Tor and Jade took a shot of the tower from the other side. I asked if they would like me to take a shot with them both in front of the tower. I took one of them with Jade's camera.
Jade likes her camera. She uses it for her video's and making a record of memories. She is thinking of doing a project like 365 days of gratitude.
As we started to walk down the Tor, I saw Dainis. He called out to be photographed. I mentioned this to Jade and Mollie and rather than walking down with them, we exchanged goodbyes there. I went back up, to meet Dainis, who is my stranger 394.
Thank you Jade and Mollie for being part of my project. It was good to meet you both today. Best wishes for your future travels and endeavours.
Mollie and Jade are vegans. It was one of the first things they mentioned.
You can view more portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family
Strangers 395 - Jade and Mollie
Two friends were chatting at the top of Glastonbury Tor. I thought that either or both would make fine strangers but didn't want to break in on their conversation. I overheard that they planned to go half way down and then come up again before going down to meet someone else, perhaps for a coffee. Not wanting to miss my opportunity, I approached and made my pitch: "Excuse me, would it be OK to take your photo? ….".
They agreed. One suggested that the other go first. They both hesitated, then one asked if it would be OK to be photographed together. I might have preferred to photograph each individually, then the two together afterwards. Remembering that they were meeting someone, so they had limited time. Also recognising that they were chatting a great deal, so they wanted to spend time together. It made sense to follow their suggestion. I agreed after but a moment's thought.
Both agreed that they could spare a few minutes and we sat down on the grass, near St Michael's tower. They asked if I would like to hear the story of how they met. They had been to the same schools in their early years, Mollie had gone to live in Australia when she was 12 but it was only when she returned 10 years later that they really became friends. Their families were close but Jade and Mollie did not get to know each other until they found themselves working in the same retail outlet. After this they travelled together and lived in Australia for a year.
Both enjoy keeping fit and Jade told me a little about herself, while Mollie listened. Jade's mum played rounders for England and her dad is a keen cyclist. Jade used to do powerlifting but hurt her back. She mentioned a few other sports, including netball. She told me that she is competitive and trained for netball because she enjoyed winning matches.
Jade wants to go to New Zealand and will travel via Australia. She doesn't go to the gym but keeps fit by cycling. This is good because this helps with her saving, she does not have to pay for gym membership. She also gets to enjoy the countryside and fresh air.
"Oh, I didn't tell you that I have been doing time trials" Jade said. I had imagined that Jade was telling me, then I realised that she was telling her friend. She is doing this with her dad. He started cycling for fitness, 4 years ago and managed to lose 4 stone in weight. Jade's mum has been cycling even longer but Jade told me she streaks past her mum as they go up hill. Though Jade has not been cycling long she has great lower body strength. Mollie said that Jade has strong thighs and Jade agreed.
Jade told me that her bike is broken. She did not admit straight away that it got broken when she fell off. One day recently the chain had got stuck and because she was wearing cleats, she toppled over. As she fell Jade managed to land on her bottom, so she did not get injured. Later she was cycling on a steep hill, when the chain slipped and she fell off again. This time she injured her knee and the bicycle was damaged too. I wondered if her bicycle would be expensive to repair. Jade said that her dad was very good and he would take care of it. The cycling is something that they enjoy doing as father and daughter. A good bonding thing.
Jade commented on how tanned Mollie's skin looked next to her own. Mollie had been travelling in Europe and got a suntan in there.
Mollie practices yoga and enjoys music. I asked if she performs, perhaps she sings. She told me that everyone else in her family sings. They perform in the band Midrod Ends, which was formed by her grandparents in the 60's. Mollie told me that Jade enjoys vlogging and that I should put a link to her YouTube channel, so here it is www.youtube.com/user/Jadeee161193
When we had finished, Mollie said that her boyfriend would be waiting to meet with them. I asked if I might walk down the Tor with them as I was headed back too. They agreed. A little way down, Jade decided that she would like to take a photo of St Michael's tower. She wasn't happy with how the image was looking and I suggested that she might get a better shot from the other side. We walked back up the Tor and Jade took a shot of the tower from the other side. I asked if they would like me to take a shot with them both in front of the tower. I took one of them with Jade's camera.
Jade likes her camera. She uses it for her video's and making a record of memories. She is thinking of doing a project like 365 days of gratitude.
As we started to walk down the Tor, I saw Dainis. He called out to be photographed. I mentioned this to Jade and Mollie and rather than walking down with them, we exchanged goodbyes there. I went back up, to meet Dainis, who is my stranger 394.
Thank you Jade and Mollie for being part of my project. It was good to meet you both today. Best wishes for your future travels and endeavours.
Mollie and Jade are vegans. It was one of the first things they mentioned.
You can view more portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family