October Summer II

No.9 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

With the sunshine on the water
and the blueness of the sky
you'd be forgiven for believing
this was summer and July
But no, it's mid-October
and yet the sun's still very strong
bringing with it warming rays
which to summer should belong

Seaton Beach Tree

No 8 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

By the orange cliffs at Seaton
on the beach is a dead tree
looking like a natural sculpture
beside East Devon's sea

Of course I had to get a closer look
so I walked along the beach
til I was close to where it was
with it in easy reach

It really was quite lovely
sculpted there by nature's hand
A little sad that it was dead
yet still it's proud to stand

Charmouth Jurassic

No.5 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

So we wandered down to Charmouth
beside the River Char
bathed in October sunshine
with views spectacular
around about three miles
so it didn't take us long
and it was really rather warm
as the sunshine was quite strong

No remonstrating

And this morning the sunshine
returned with a smile
as it's been fairly rainy
and wet for a while
The mercury's rising
and the thermometer shows
the direction the warmth
and my wandering goes

Summer’s swansong II

On this September morning
sunshine greeted me again
and as this could be the summer's swansong
no one could lay the blame
if today instead of working
to the beach I went instead
to seize the opportunity
and by my heart be led

Sunglare shine

Sunglare shine on longshore drift
the rippled sand aglow
down here in early evening
as the sunshine sinks down low

Cool the lapping wavelets
from the brilliance of day
as barefoot here I wander
whilst around me seagulls play

I am the beach

Days like today
may be short lived indeed
but they're part of my rhythm
and part of my creed
For I am the beach
and the beach is all me
as part of my essence
is to be by the sea

90 and rising

The temperature crept above ninety
so I thought 'that's enough for today'
and, grabbing a go-bag ready to go
to the beach again, made my own way

The breeze from the sea was most welcome
but it was still in the eighties down there
Though as this wasn't work and I had a cold beer
I wasn't too minded to care

September sun heat

September sun heat
no denial of fact
twenty-five degrees celsius
attesting to that
So it was back to the beach
to sit in the sun
at Saturday teatime
til evening was come

Seagull show

I had a private airshow
on the beach the other day
with seagulls showing their prowess
in many different ways

They swooped there and they hovered
diving from up high
then climbing up into the blue
of this late summer sky

I whooped and I applauded
for it was a special show
lasting a few minutes
before off they all did go

Many times the beach

Yes I know that I've written
many times here before
of this place on the beach
and I suspect there'll be more
but I make no apologies
for that fact here
as this place is a haven
and always brings cheer

A beach full of shingle
beside the blue sea
a most English of channel
and perfect for me
Long days have I spent here
in the summer sun
and many more will I still
until I am done

Beach bliss

I'm on the beach again
surprising I'd say
as it's lovely down here
on this fine summer day
and although it's a weekday
you'd have thought that some might
venture down to the beach
to enjoy the sunlight

Living in Shoreham

On the last day of August
I crossed the bridge from the town
as this view of Shoreham
brings a smile not a frown
and whenever I see it
a pinch I must give
to myself to remind me
that here's where I live

Widewater Lagoon

Widewater Lagoon
right next to the sea
on a day like today
is the place to be
There are people just walking
whilst some cycle by
and every so often
a seagull I'll spy
It's such a nice walk
on my way to the beach
so I'm massively grateful
it's in easy reach
as it means to this place
I can come for a wander
on days like today
and not let them squander

To spend a day

Came back to the beach hut
the weather was fine
and with no one else here
the beach was all mine

A warm breeze from the east
blew in from the sea
and the sun overhead
smiled brightly on me

And I knew this was better
than work any day
so it's nice to have one
I can spend in this way

Moulded

Shaped though many hours
by the touch of sea and sand
this wonderful breakwater
now moulded by their hand
encapsulates the aura
that this seascape holds for me
from a life spent here in Sussex
on the beach and near the sea

Beach IV

The beach is a landscape
when the tide is this low
the sky big and wide
with the shingle below
the water far distant
with rocks in between
with familiar seaweed
we've so often seen
yet it still brings excitement
for adventure and more
which over the years
we have used this beach for

Shadowplay II

I played with my shadow
in the evening sunshine
it gave me a wave
so I knew it was mine

We both laughed aloud
at the shapes we made there
and didn't much mind
if it made people stare

But as the sun slipped down low
we bade fond adieu
as we know we'll be back
well you would, wouldn't you?

Down to the beach

I came down to the beach
after a long and arduous day
the sunshine still quite high
and quite hot still I would say

I walked the four miles there
with my AirPods in my ears
listening to Underworld
as I have done for years

Sometimes II

Sometimes a biplane
will fly overhead
some of them yellow
and some of them red
Sometimes a seagull
will call on the breeze
as I sit in the sunshine
its warmth on my knees
Sometimes the sea
I will many hours view
for this vista has charm
and always feels new

Not that far

Walking to the beach hut
it's not so very far
but the view along the waterside
is quite spectacular
There's sunshine on the water
and though some clouds are grey
it's very warm and pleasant 
on this lovely summer day

By and by I'll sit me down
on the beach I call a friend
outside my haven beach hut
until the day has reached its end
And then I'll wander home again
back beside the sea
watching as the evening falls 
on this fair soliloquy

Cusp of summer (revisited)

6 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Summer 21’ series

Smooth the sand ‘neath greying skies
The breeze it softly sings
As o’er the sea, the setting sun
A gathering it brings

Caught up in this, the ebbing tide
Back across the beach
And there, the cusp of summer
Just a little out of reach

Gentle waves in movement turn
With salt upon the air
The sunset fades and slips away
To night time waiting there.

Promenading

Walked along the promenade
from Hove to Brighton town
the sunshine warm with summer
come to take away the frown

Very many people there
all walking in the sun
celebrating here in unison
that summer's truly come

The sea reflected blue of sky
the breeze a whisper there
the mood one of exuberance
in which we all could share

And as we ambled there we six
in jocund company
enjoyed our promenading
in Sussex by the sea

Chillin

There's a ship sailing by
and a gull on the wing
and the sun in the sky
gives a reason to sing

And there's really no reason
to move for a while
as we can sit here
with a beer and a smile

And just watch the sea
and soak up the vibe
at this place on the beach
by the blue ocean wide

Goring beach II

With eyes open wide
whilst the world was still snoring
I went for a walk on
the beach here at Goring
and the sky was as big
as ever skies get
with a hint of blue there
for some sunshine still yet
and the breeze was refreshing
and full in my face
as I put best foot forward
in this lovely place

Spectacular III

From Ferry Road and shingle beach
this curving Sussex bay
is quite spectacular to see
from Shoreham I must say
And chagrined to admission I
shamefaced apologise 
as with this upon my doorstep
I should always recognise
that here is unbridled privilege
to simply cast an eye
and take in this glorious vista
when just simply walking by

Ways to use time

We went for an ice cream
and sat on the beach
it was rather windy
but within easy reach
in the relative shelter
of Old Shoreham town
nestled beneath
the crook of the Down

Back to the beach

I haven’t been down to the beach
in quite a long while now
mainly due to lockdown
and a feeling that somehow
if it doesn’t feel quite right
to walk down into town
because of all the idiots
who spread this virus round
then as to get down to the beach
a walk through town is needed
I think my own advice is here
advice that is well heeded