– Classic 70’s sitcom On The Buses sees one time ‘clippie’ Olive Rudge and her aloof husband George take a fully loaded combination to some seaside destination. George was the center of much derision from main ne’er do well characters, Stan and Jack, due to the decrepit appearance on the BSA.
BSA W35-8 Bluestar (1935)
– imagine being on call as a recovery service in a snowstorm. Your bright yellow combination is your transportation. Heavy winter clothes and a barn door fairing to protect you from the elements. The Automobile Association had to get out through rain, snow or shine. My grandfather George must surely have experienced these conditions as an AA Man.
– Dame Diana Rigg (1938-2020) played the original action girl opposite Patrick MacNee’s John Steed in the early sixties British TV show. Other notable characters include Countess Teresa di Vicenzo who became 007 James Bond’s wife; and Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones. But for everyone she’ll always be the catsuited Emma Peel.
– old photo of an AA patrolman maneuvering their recovery combination through some snow drifts. Heavy insulated overalls to keep the cold at bay. My grandfather George Lawrie would have been clad as such whilst plying the roads of North Northumberland.
Portable Forge
The blacksmith was history’s mechanic and tire shop. They shod horses, fabricated machinery and repaired tools. With the advent of the internal combustion engine they had to adapt to newer technologies. This blackie has utilized a motorcycle combination to haul around a portable forge with anvil. You can hear the ring of the heavy ball peen hammer.
A pair of intrepid adventurers with their Triumph combination somewhere in Alkebulan (Mother of Mankind) during a 1932 trip across the continent. It’s Frank Flood and Jim C. Wilson who rode from the Nigerian cost to The Red Sea. The original dual sport travelers. Short sleeves and pith helmets.
Hergé Jeudi | profitez du plaisir de conduire un side-car jaune dans les rues de paris par des policiers avec votre chien de compagnie.
Amusement Ride | more excitement and fun from the further escapades of the Harry Potter world. This time a roller coaster utilizing Hagrid’s Triumph sidecar outfit as the carriages. As we know I’m sure it’s not as good as the real thing…
Seventh | in the late eighties we were up to regeneration number eight for The Doctor. Sylvester McCoy was the Time Lord and his sidekick Mel by the 70’s child star Bonnie Langford. When the Tardis is parked up they can tear around aboard a beautiful Vincent combination.
Stan and Ollie | A comedy duo from the golden age of Hollywood who got up to many japes and shenanigans. Their comedy was thoughtful idiocy and usually a ‘fine mess’ was ‘gotten into’.
M&M | Candy riding a sidecar combination. Seen on a display shelf at the noodle shop where I got our supper.
Catalog Time | As the seasons change and cold weather starts closing its chill grip then the mail piles up with catalogues. Today the JC Peterman one arrived, the cover has a nicely illustrated winter scene.
Mans Best Friend | what other color should a chimney sweeps hound be that white?
Comfy Chair | a respectable couple take their pet pup for a ride in the countryside. I’m sure there’s a picnic tucked away in there somewhere.
