18 Jun 2012

I WANT… To Sit Up & Beg!

I think that by now, most of you realise that I am partial to a bit of romanticism when it comes to living in the English countryside and am inclined to skip over the realities and hardships (at least on my blog!) that it can often entail, in favour of the pure beauty and delight that can be found in everyday country living. Some days I’d much rather focus on the delights of activities and pastimes that have hardly changed over the past century. Call me a dreamer if you must, but in a world full of frequent conflict and increasingly harsh politics (and rain…) sometimes it’s nice to fantasise and focus on things that are…well,…just darned pretty…

…and today my focus is on the grand pastime of good old fashioned ‘cycling’.

Now, when I think of vegetable gardens, I think of perfect potagers with clipped box hedging. When I think of chickens, my mind turns to charmingly hued Buff Orpingtons, or characterful little bantams with fluffy knickerbockered feet – and when I think of bicycles, I think of the traditional and amusingly named ‘sit up and beg’ variety (named due to their perfect posture inducing seating position), with their large wicker front baskets and rear blanket straps, in delicious pastel ice-cream shades.

I imagine taking wonderful trips through Summer fields and winding country lanes, with jam packed picnics and flasks of ‘real’ lemonade strapped to my basket…

I imagine a floaty Summer dress folded carefully into my lap and a weathered straw hat threatening to fly off my head as I soar along…

Does anyone actually cycle like this…?

I do in my dreams…

In my dreams, ALL bicycles are pink, mint green or powder blue. ALL bicycles have baskets full of Hydrangeas, Summer flowers and freshly baked bread. ALL picnics feature home made Victoria sponge cake, real lemonade and cucumber sandwiches. ALL apples are large, deep red, shiny and organic…

…and of course ALL men ride a Pashley ‘Guv’nor’

I know, I know…in reality, real life with it’s ups and downs, bad weather and metaphorical bumps and pot holes, is never quite as perfect…

Happy Monday!

Images courtesy of;1-8)BEG Bicycles www.Begbicycles.com; 9) Pashley Guv’nor www.pashley.co.uk; 10) Lucille Ball

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