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Post by paulatukcamera on Feb 11, 2006 4:01:35 GMT -5
Thought I'd put up a very different image - to cheer us up this morning. A happy Policeman in April 1964! This Devon Policeman was only too willing to pose for my Topcon R. The car is my old 1932 Daimler Light Fifteen and if you look closely you will see the posters advertising our charity cycle ride from Lands End to John O'Groats. (the outer extremities of the British Isles) Now the question before I post the answer tomorrow is a simple one: What sort of cycle do you think we were riding? As you can guess, as University students, something strange! Paul
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mickeyobe
Lifetime Member
Resident President
Posts: 7,280
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Post by mickeyobe on Feb 11, 2006 6:20:18 GMT -5
Paul,
Since I only know the name of one English bicycle it had to be a Raleigh. It is the one bicycle I always yearned for but could never afford.
Mickey
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Post by John Parry on Feb 11, 2006 6:49:14 GMT -5
Guess it would have to be a penny-farthing.
I had a Pennine Re Dela Corsa around that time - it was lethal. The sprockets on the chain didn't match up to the teeth on the cogs, so as you hammered on the pedals for a quick getaway, the chain would come off, I'd totally lose my balance and fall off. How suave can you get? !!
Don't think the bobby would be too keen on posing for a photo any more... Was taking some pictures in Manchester Airport recently (personal snaps - nothing controversial), and was asked by two policemen to put the camera away. What have we come to?
Regards - John
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Post by Randy on Feb 11, 2006 7:23:24 GMT -5
Very nice!
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Post by litesong on Feb 11, 2006 11:36:34 GMT -5
Hi John...Yes, society is so scared now. & the more Homeland Security, the less secure we feel. As a walker, I often have a camera or binoculars with me. I've been stopped by police several times, being asked what I'm doing while either looking thru camera or binocular. Several times police have confronted our astronomy club, asking brusquely what we're doing. But once we show them Jupiter & its moons or galaxies 100 million liteyears away, they get excited about the universe. But generally, curiosity is a "frowned upon" characteristic in this day & age. ;D Grace & peace to you, John & all readers....litesong
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Post by litesong on Feb 11, 2006 18:43:02 GMT -5
Hi John...You asked if I do astro photography in my astronomy. No I don't. Its too expensive. Also, if I'd tied myself up taking pix, I never would have figured out a new interpretation to our Local Galaxy Supercluster. Besides, Hubble takes better pix than I ever would do. Grace & peace to you, John...litesong
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Post by Rachel on Feb 12, 2006 4:55:58 GMT -5
Lovely picture Paul; I don't suppose many places have a local "copper" now Would the bicycle be a tandem? Don't think the bobby would be too keen on posing for a photo any more... Was taking some pictures in Manchester Airport recently (personal snaps - nothing controversial), and was asked by two policemen to put the camera away. What have we come to? Lots of places prohibit photography now for no apparent good reason. I know someone who was asked to stop taking pictures in a shopping mall. National Trust properties in the UK prohibit photography inside but some independent "stately homes" still permit it.
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Post by paulatukcamera on Feb 12, 2006 8:05:31 GMT -5
"Guess it would have to be a penny-farthing" Exactly right John. Same Policeman: And when we finished, back at Hull University for the Rag Parade: Did we get to John O'Groats? Unfortunately no, only as far as Blackpool. I will refrain from posting the whole story and more pictures unless some of you request it. I don't want to be classed as the forum "bore" Paul
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Post by Randy on Feb 12, 2006 8:12:40 GMT -5
Post away Paul!
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Post by Rachel on Feb 12, 2006 8:32:39 GMT -5
Is that you Paul with the Penny Farthing and the Policeman?
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Post by Microdad on Feb 12, 2006 8:52:31 GMT -5
I always wondered how you get up on those!
Steve
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Post by kamera on Feb 12, 2006 15:04:56 GMT -5
I love the car, and even more, the bike...!!!!!!!
Steve, maybe they use a small ladder and then someone has to walk along for when they want to dismount and remount...HA,HA!
Rachel, I have had two instances within the past year of security stopping me from taking pics.
1. A Brinks armored car unloading at a bank. I had already taken a shot or two...street interest in my opinion...when the viewfinder went dark and the camera was smashed into my face. The guy turned out to be a civy-dressed Brink employee acting as backup security...and no pics allowed. In fact he wanted my film, which I refused to give him until he called the police and I was forced to. They apparently think you are filming, etc. for a heist!
2. A big local mall last Christmas which was beautifully decorated and a fantastic Santa setup for the kids to visit him. I was snapping the sights when a uniformed security guard approached me and escorted me out of the mall. The explanation here was that competitive malls and stores SPY on each other. Kids with Santa(??)...pics taken only by the photographer assigned to him.
Ron Head Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by herron on Feb 12, 2006 18:26:16 GMT -5
Is that you Paul with the Penny Farthing and the Policeman? I'm with Rachel. C'mon, Paul...fess up...is that you in 1964?
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Post by paulatukcamera on Feb 12, 2006 19:49:28 GMT -5
Rachel & Ron,
Sorry to say, it wasn't me - just one of the team - I think he was called "Happy" Tate because he was so miserable! (Mind you he doesn't in the photo)
He was the first to ride it and discovered that the dynamics of a Penny Farthing were very different from a bicycle. The local TV were filming us and they had a cracking view of a riderless bicycle coming down the hill. It had got so out of control that he had done a "Tarzan" imitation and grabbed a passing branch to hang on!
On another occasion, the lights changed and he had nowhere to go, so stopped and fell off - onto the roof of a car! The lady was not overly concerned - she saw the funny side - but insisted "Happy" wrote a letter of explanation to her husband because she said he would never believe her!
Paul
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Post by paulatukcamera on Feb 13, 2006 19:58:11 GMT -5
A few more photos from that same charity run. I had forgotten about this until today - the friendly Policeman asked if I could take a picture of his whole family (this does make me feel guilty - 40 years on and they still haven't seen it!) The bike was a modern copy of a Penny Farthing made by Ernie Clements Cycles - that is Mr Ernie Clements posing with "Happy" Tate, our main cyclist. (I cheated - I drove the support car!) Journey's end - Blackpool (about half way to John O'groats!) Mechanical problems - the rims weren't man enough for the job! We completely wrecked one every 50 miles or so. We went back twice to the factory for replacements, but eventually they ran out and our bid to beat the 1899 Penny Farthing record failed. To the best of my belief it still stands. When we returned - triumphal ride through Hull: How do you mount it? Simple - find yourself a lamp post to lean on! Paul
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