THE NAKED PHOTO ALBUM
- WHO ARE YOU CALLING - A CYCLE-PATH?
This page has some pictures which show how I've become a total Cycle-path.
See how, since I bought my mountain bike in 1999, it's all gone a bit cycle crazy.
When you're finished with this page, use the links below to find more stuff:
PAUL'S THOUGHT: QUESTION YOUR MOTIVES. IT'S GOOD FOR YOU.
Left: Here's Judith, looking slightly flushed but ever-so glamorous and
lovely after a quick ride. This is Ethrope Park, not far from where
I live. It was a lovely day, marred only buy a cross-country route home which carried us across ploughed fields. Have you ever tried pushing
a bike with wheels clogged with twice its weight in mud?
Right: Whilst cycling somewhere near Princes Risborough Judith and I paused to
admire a corn field spotted with poppies. And I took this rather sweet shot of her. I think it was on the same day we met a couple out
walking. The Lady complained bitterly about us cycling on a footpath (I think it was a bridleway in fact) but he just gave Judith a
conspiratorial and roguish wink. Married bliss eh?
Places to visit: Not far from Aylesbury and Ethrope is the village of Waddesdon. Here you will find
Waddesdon Manor, a beautiful house now open to the public.
(National Trust...try to sneak in if you can.)
They film lots of period drams here, which is kind of cool. However,
nothing surpasses the fact that a scene near the end of Carry On Don't Lose Your Head was shot here.
PAUL'S THOUGHT: FIND A BETTER WAY TO DO IT IF YOU CAN.
To the left is a fine wrought-iron bridge over the Wendover Arm of the err, Grand Union Canal? I often cycle here (what with canal tow-paths being pretty flat!)
and this shot was taken on New Years Day, 2000. That's it. I've nothing more to tell you.
In the middle is another picture taken by the canal on 01.01.00 with the crappy little digital camera I had back then.
Still, not a bad photograph of the evening light.
To the right is a beautiful house not far from where I live, best reached by bicycle. Or tricycle. I'd hate to be all
two-wheeled elitist here. Hey, I even think unicyclists could get there ok with a little practice.
Places to visit: This whole stretch of canal from Aston Clinton (on the A41 between Aylesbury and Tring) to Wendover is lovely. Walk it, ride it, or
even swim it... no, perhaps not swim it. Anyway, if you like seeing baby ducks
(technically Ducklings) than this could be the very place for you!
PAUL'S THOUGHT: THERE WAS A FILM RELEASED IN THE UK IN
2001, CALLED 'DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS'. I BEG YOU, DON'T
GO TO SEE IT, BUY IT, BORROW IT, STEAL IT OR RENT IT!
Whilst cycling in the Chiltern Hills not far from where I live in Buckinghamshire (have you been paying attention?) I often have to take a moment out to
do a spot of map reading.
This has nothing to do with the hilly and tiring nature of the terrain of course.
PAUL'S THOUGHT: THERE ARE FEW THINGS MORE DANGEROUS
IN THIS WORLD THAN SOMEONE WITH A LOT OF AMBITION BUT
NO REAL ABILITIES, TALENTS OR SKILLS.
In early April 2002 the Judith and I,
assisted by my mate (our mate) Gavin went for a very nice
ride in the spring sunshine. We rode from Winslow to Milton Keynes and back,
distance of some 24-and-a-bit miles, and made a day of shopping of it.
I chanced some McDonalds fries, Judith almost bought a top with jelly-fish frilly bits
and Gavin discovered his extraterrestrial origins. All-in-all a very rewarding trip.
PAUL'S THOUGHT: PAUL SMITH IS AN ANAGRAM OF A HUMP SLIT. SIGH.
In May 2003 I discovered that the most vital piece of equipment while cycling is a 4ltr.
Jaguar to get you where you're going in the first place. A good sturdy cycle-rack is a wise investment too. This one cost me £4 at one of
my dads autojumbles. And like a man who can't pronounce his T's or F's, you can't say fairer than that. The picture above was taken at the car park near
the highest viewpoint in the Chilterns, where I was on Millennium night. It's somewhere I often ride, as the
Vale of Aylesbury looks quite nice from this distance.
PAUL'S THOUGHT: THE ANCIENTS USED OVER A MILLION
MOLE HILLS TO MAKE THIS MICRO-MOUNTAIN.
During June 2003 I made a brave attempt to lose some weight, and as a part of this enormous
project I cycled a punishing circular course which took in this strange lump in the landscape - Burn Hill. It's quite a remote spot behind Stone in
Bucks which overlooks the river and amazing house, pictured somewhere above.
Click here to return to the Naked Photo Album index page.