Coddiwomple

No. 4 in the ‘Colloquy’ series

We coddiwompled in the mud
up at Barcombe Mills
all eight of us together
amidst the Sussex hills

The rain held off but underfoot
the mud was thick and wet
but we all had the best of times
so never cause to fret

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The thick and the thin

Around a table with Cluedo and Red Leicester cheese
with good conversation, precious days these
Laughter and merriment the six of us here
these are the days for which we all cheer
As it's all about family and closeness together
for the bad times and good, the known and whatever
For we all are as one, best of friends and of kin
arms linked with a smile through the thick and the thin

MY CHRISTMAS WISH – 2022

MY CHRISTMAS WISH
By Charles Robert Lindholm

As I make my wishes for Christmas 2022 – the best gift after a wish for world peace and the love of my soulmate and family is for a lifetime of friendship with you!!!

WISHING YOU THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL  –  SPENDING CHRISTMAS WITH THE ONES YOU LOVE

London tales #4

Sitting in a London pub
waiting with a jar
seemed the right thing there to do
the meeting place not far
Carnaby Street and Kingly Court
around the corner there
where in a bit I'll wander
a lovely meal to share

Stiff upper lips

Sitting on a windy beach, the sky's a leaden grey
down here at the beach hut for a family day today
It's a pity that the sunshine didn't wear its hat again
But then this windy weather suggests coming of some rain
And that won't dampen spirits, we'll still have a lovely time
Cos it's all about the company in wind or rain or shine

Born to the sun VI

Born to the sun and born to a beach
which I'm going to now 'cos it's in easy reach
and today is my birthday and I'm sixty-three
so a day in the sun makes good sense to me
I'll be there with the Beans so it will be the best
for good conversation, some laughs and the rest
and this evening much later to Brighton we'll go
for a meal and some beers to conclude the show

Sandcastle

We made the best sandcastle
that a beach has ever seen
it took us several hours to make
a mark where we had been
Little children paused to stare
and admire it with a smile
for it was truly massive
and took all of us a while

Camber Sands

For a birthday treat our children
took us to Camber Sands
a weekend at Badger Cottage
neath the sand dunes tall and grand
They'd all kept it a secret
but it's known and open now
as the six of us are here
with our dog cos he's allowed

Celebration

Wagamama's with my girls
midweek, a Tuesday night
feeling rather famished
so to do this was quite right
no particular reason there
but life to celebrate
so really you don't need one
when you've that to satiate
Having said that we all raised a glass
to several things we'd done
all good cause to celebrate
and the reason we'd all come

Fairwarp Cimb

Above the eighteenth century village
through yellow gorse and sand
on the edge of Ashdown Forest
neath shady beech trees grand
we climbed to top of Ashbourne Hill
walked past the airman's grave
silent in memorial
this bright day April gave
then back down through Campfields rough
crossing Small Brown's brook
to conclude this four-mile circle
at the starting path we took

What life’s for

The Open House, a fine March day
with sunshine bright and warm
joined by all the Crouchers 
and some others per the norm
For we'll not stand on ceremony
and with open arms spread wide
welcome others to it
as we say this name with pride
Friends and family are important
as you'll often hear us shout
as these extra-special moments
are what real life's all about

Dogeaster Egghunt

In our garden every year
for as long as I recall
we've had a hunt at Easter
when children have a ball
eggs hidden in strange places
whoops and shouts of joy
all these years in passing
from three girls and a boy

Sorting through the years

Our house in turmoil this weekend
as boxes from the eaves
were sorted through by offspring
for memories that time leaves
Precious things forgotten
rekindled smiles and joy
a purpose served, remembered
by three girls and a boy

Incumbent of grace

The best thing about Christmas
especially this year
above all the frolics
and laughter and cheer
and the fact we have made it
despite the pandemic
testament to the spirit
of people endemic
is the absolute pleasure
we can have here for free
the being together
as one family
all seven right here
at this time in this place
the best present ever
incumbent of grace

Christmas Eve

5 of 5 in the Jemverse series ‘The week before Christmas’

Christmas Eve Friday is here at long last
let the japes and the cheer now begin
for this family together
as it has now forever
is bursting with laughter and grin

For this is our happiness and nothing less
cathartic and wondrous and free
all six here as one
for plenty of fun
to share with this great family

Twenty-third

4 of 5 in the Jemverse series ‘The week before Christmas’

Twenty-third of December, just two days to go
and everything's ready I'd say
The Crouchers are coming
the house is a-humming
for the absolute best Christmas day

Twenty-third of December, just two days to go
we have food and presents galore
and never say never
we six are together
to show just what Christmas is for

Measure on measure

The Christmas tree's up
and it's twinkling there
under the window
good spirit to share
It's welcoming glow
is a comforting sight
when I leave in the morning
and return home at night

Part of the picture

In the gallery a sculpture
made of mirrors so we there
took a picture in position
so with it we all could share
Placed us in the location
that we love above the rest
for a day out in our happy place
that really is the best

Happy Place

First time to London
in two years or more
all Crouchers together
for good times galore
So this morning we all
are up with the lark
for coffee and toast
before we embark

We're heading for South Bank
Tate Modern no less
as we've all missed the vibe
we will freely confess
The company jocund
the excitement complete
we can barely contain
and keep still in our seat

A week of adventures

Concluding the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’ (12 of 12)

We've had a week of adventures
but it's good to be home
full of the joy of
the pleasures we've known

We've had seven more days
of summer and sunshine
and although mid-October
the weather's been so kind

Dorset Adventures

Part 1 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

We're all quite excited
and the bags are all packed
with wellington boots
and scarves, coats and hats
the route is selected
and we all know the way
as we're finally going
on our holiday

For fun (aka ‘anticipation V’)

Today I am
quite pleased to say
is when it's gone
is my last day
for two whole weeks
as Monday next
we're off to Dorset
(watch this text)

Yes two whole weeks
of holiday
when I can rest
Hip, Hip, Hooray
two whole weeks
to nothing do
which I'd imagine
so would you

Mangolicious

Had a Mangolicious Laines
a lovely IPA
fruity and refreshing
at the end of a long day
Eating at the Open House
all my girls and me
and a lovely Wolfgang
for a delicious tea

Forever eighty-seven

Happy Birthday my Mother
you'd have been ninety today
but forever instead
eighty-seven you'll stay

The time of your passing
though sad was still right
but I still shed a tear
on occasion at night

But on fifth of September
remembering clear
I see that you're smiling
so Happy Birthday, my dear

Married on a birthday

Went to a birthday party
in Surrey, Saturday night
took us a while to get there
but that was quite alright

Loud cheers when we got there
the celebrations had begun
so we hurried there to join them
so we'd not miss out the fun

And we found the cheers had purpose
for the birthday and for now
as my brother had got married
on his birthday with a vow

Last Brunch

Last brunch today so IPA
featured as it should
along with a veggie breakfast
from the menu which looked good
Shared with jocund company
conversation for a smile
here at our Al Campo
where we come once in a while

Monday lunchtimes

Monday lunchtimes at Al Campo
watching life go past
the windows open to the world
with summer here at last

The sunshine's really hot out there
but no one is complaining
as the start of summers' overdue
from all the Maytime raining

Through the trees

Evening sunshine through the trees
the Warren shaded now
but I still feel the sunshine
so warm upon my brow

It has been one of those balmy days
that only summer brings
and conjures up those feelings
that pull at old heart strings