Fotheringhaye is a small hamlet a few miles west of Peterborough. It is an unassuming spot that was pivotal in the history of England. It was the birthplace of Richard III (2 October 1452 – 22 August 1485) who was the last king of the three Century long Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the battle of Bosworth Field, the last decisive battle of the Wars of the Roses between the Lancastrian and York Houses marked the end of the Middle Ages in England. Thus commencing the House of Tudor and the creation of ‘modern’ England. Fotheringhaye Castle was also where Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded, another key moment in the formation of a nation.
Mr Fox
Voiceover work from Mr Clooney for Wes Anderson’s version of the Ronald Dahl classic. In this scene he’s making scarfing noises. I’m here for the t-shirt. A great film nevertheless!
Posh Paws
When growing up Saturday morning was always spent watching Multi-Coloured Swap Shop. Filmed live at the BBC TV Center. Well it brings to mind another weekend venture: looking at old bike parts in grass fields and tin huts at various County Fairgrounds. Always a fun jaunt and good place to pick up that odd or end needed for a project. Couple of good posters for this coming year’s offerings.
Space Scooter
Blackthorne Publishing’s Revival Of “Planet Comics” 1987. A cool Dave Stevens Cover!
Tonka
This was a lot of fun in the back garden. Diggin’ holes and fillin’’em back in!
1952 and my hat’s off to you
Vincent Black Shadow 998cc/55 HP V-Twin
Lovely bike in untouched condition on the auction block in Las Vegas this coming January. It will probably fetch between $60-75k.
Bruce Wayne’s wheels
Watching this current venture of out nightlife vigilante. It’s gritty, moody and more like the Frank Miller work from the late eighties. Robert Pattison makes a good Dark Knight more like Michael Keaton’s one. The bike is called Drifter based on a Honda CB750.
Black Bean Soup
I loved watching these guys as a kid. This is what I thought America was like (or the Waltons). I used to have a beat up leather coat for going to smoky pubs. It was my Starsky jacket. I know he had his personal demons but he played a good detective in Ken Hutchinson . RIP David Soul (1943-2024)
Apple Green
What an amazing looking bike this is. Engineering elegance in Robin Hood colors. Proper sorted.
Happy New Year!
Let’s all enjoy what the coming days, weeks and months can offer. Always new horizons to zoom towards. On one wheel with a dust trail behind us.
Chopper
Here I am back as a youth with my first big bike. A chopper with high bars, long seat and five speeds. I found an old advert of a Chessington which bears a close resemblance to my wheels. There was a big Kawasaki K sticker on the down tube.
Celeste Cycle
Simple Street Tool
This Bianchi single speed was locked to a bike rack in the City near a pizza joint we went to. The brown leather Brookes saddle adds a serious note to the bike. Repurposed lugged steel frame. What’s not to like?
Lakefront
December ride along the many blue hued waters of Lake Michigan. The horizon line was a dark edge under a crisp aired sky. Some turquoise colors were spreading towards the beach and bluffs of the Northshore. Good ride.
Slot View
Like some single frame of a zoetrope viewer I spotted a parked Bonneville in a basement garage on my walk from the office to my car.
Netflix Nite
We’re binging the latest short series on Netflix this evening. All the light we cannot see. It stars Hugh Laurie as a French resistance radio operator. His pillion is the protagonist helping efforts against the Germans. 1930’s New Map motorcycle is period correct and had a couple of good scenes.