Think of it as being a bit like a gold rush. When gold is first discovered it is a frantic, wild affair; everyone piles in and starts digging, and you pull out nuggets the size of turnips and you become blasé. And then you begin to work through your stake and the rewards are harder to come by and your focus switches from nuggets to grains. Nevertheless, once you have been panning away for a week in the rain and you find the smallest speck of pure gold, the thrill is just as great as when you plucked nuggets with alacrity.
I knew that there were a fair few motorbike pictures in my family photographic collection. My father was a great motorbike enthusiast and I absorbed the names of the great British marques along with my bottles of post-war NHS orange juice: Ariel, Triumph, BSA and Royal Enfield. I sorted through my imaginary folder of motorbike images (I dream of being so organised, but it is nothing more than a dream) and most of the nuggets had been featured at some point before on Sepia Saturday, Motorbike Monday, Sidecar Sunday or the like.
My panning in the rain was eventually rewarded with this photograph which had obviously fallen through my sifting pan on previous occasions because it was small and easily overlooked. A quick scan and clean-up reveals it in all its glory, and it has immediately become my favourite photograph of my parents - Albert and Gladys. I think the house in the background will be their house on Cooper Lane, Bradford, and that will date the photograph at about 1936 or 1937, shortly after they got married. The star of the photograph is, of course, the Royal Enfield; but it is also the look of pride and joy in the faces of the riders.
To see more sepia nuggets go to the Sepia Saturday Blog and follow the links.
That is indeed a great photo of your mom and dad, and I'm inclined to agree that it's the best I've seen, although you've showcased several.
ReplyDeleteAs I continue to go through others people stuff that I moved to a new house, I do find nuggets of gold. The gold frame on the photo of my parents did get tossed as the picture was all I needed. I am finding things that I don't have to hold on to as the persons which whom it meant something are now gone, almost 20 years gone. That photo is such a great one with your parents having a great adventure.
ReplyDeleteI consider the classic motor bike to be the mechanical equivalent of the female nude; both display their beauty unadorned by superfluous fairings on the one hand and dress on the other.
ReplyDeleteI state female because machines, like ships, are referred to in the feminine.
They do look so happy. There is a family story involving a motorcycle back in the early 1900s in Montgomery, AL. Unfortunately, no photos. At least I have none.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. I can't think of any relative of mine that rode or rides a motorcycle. Bikes are our limit.
ReplyDeleteA lovely happy photograph of your Mum and Dad and I can see why it is your favourite.
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful shot! Moments later I'm sure they tore out for places unknown...or the pub?
ReplyDeleteI had a fellow following me on Friday on a motorcycle with a sidecar. It made me smile. I wanted to be in that sidecar.
Both my Dad and brother rode motorcycles and as a tot I was a passenger, But I grew up preferring bikes abd cars over time. Sadly my brother died at age 30 in a motorcycle accident on a sunny day in July 78.
ReplyDeleteI do love the photo of your parents. They look like a fun loving couple at the time.