I’ll not hang my boots

Never will I hang my boots
at least not yet a while
for there's plenty more out there
I know to bring a smile
and whilst my best foot forward
is still something I can
I'll ride on Shanksey's Pony*
at least that's now the plan

Time for a wander

It's been a while since I wandered out in the land
that Sussex affords in its landscape so grand
so today in my boots with my compass in hand
I ventured out there again

The sunshine was warm in an Autumn blue sky
with occasional clouds floating lazily by
so with inclemency low and good weather high
I ventured out there again

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Because I can II

At the back end of August
with pause to regale
thoughts turned to the hills
and the much followed trail

So I put best foot forward
and headed out there
knowing it always
has much more to share

No selfishness here
it has so much to give
and for these Sussex hills
there’s reason to live

With best foot forward

With best foot forward
I take to the hills
following each chalky trail
It’s different each time
and abundantly fine
bring joy every time without fail

Bringing joy

Never fails the trail
regardless of the time
that I have traced my steps up here
when the weather’s fine
Well trod chalk the wayside flower
the blue sky and the sun
combine here in God’s country
bringing joy whene’er I come

Circular

It’s around about six miles
twelve thousand steps or so
a circle up above the town
where to the hills I go
It works in both directions
but the better one I think
is via the park up to Slonk Hill
with pause to take a drink

Happy Place

I’ve found again my happy place
I’ve been away too long
but pleased that I was back again
my heart was filled with song
and beaming as I found my gait
with rhythm in my stride
I laughed and grinned with pleasure there
in Sussex countryside

Of Beacons and Mud

Went for a walk for a birthday
All of us met at the Star
heading off to the Beacon
via Falmer so not all that far
Up through the woods over Stanmer
frolicking under the trees
rained a lot here so the mud was
quite frequently up to our knees

South Harting

8 of 8 in the Jemverse series ‘Circular Sussex’

Up on Harting Down
I saw the folly to the West
It’s lovely here this morning
in bright sunshine, just the best

Then I walked in woodland
sunlight filtered through the trees
Birdsong all around me
Blue sky between the leaves

East Meon

6 of 8 in the Jemverse series ‘Circular Sussex’

We climbed back up old Butser Hill
East Meon in the valley
Went west along the hill line
and we didn’t dilly-dally

Walked along the South Downs Way
past ‘Dead Woman’s Gate’
I slowed down a little then
but Dave, he didn’t wait

Itchen Abbas

4 of 8 in the Jemverse ‘Circular Sussex’ series

So we’ve walked in field of violets
and through hawthorn twitters long
to the Plough at Itchen Abbas
where Charles Kingsley wrote a song
“The Water Babies” was his opus
and he stayed here as he wrote
This village here in Hampshire
very quaint and quite remote

The Bishop on the Bridge

2 of 8 in the Jemverse series ‘Circular Sussex’

The Bishop on the Bridge
in Winchester town
the Itchen flows swiftly by
And we sit with a beer
in the garden out back
my brother David and I

Circular Sussex

It’s that time of year
the bags are all packed
the walking boots firm on my feet
My brother and me
with hearts full of glee
are off for our annual treat

Stonehouse

Brown is the ground
Blue is the sky
High is the peak
Steeply I rise.

Highland Hallucinations

Lanky four-legged beasts,
Macabre silhouettes in the morning light,
Cast shadows into the icy valley below,
Prolonging the slumber, if only for a second,
Of the yet-snoozing in their colorful caves.

The creatures slowly creep skyward,
Laboriously climbing to the rocky ridge,
Taking long strides with gaunt forelegs
No thicker than sticks and just as straight.
It seems the giraffe of Broadway gave up the spotlight
To graze the vertical savanna of Japan’s mountains.
Packing our gear, we head out on safari.

Mountain of Apprehension

A somber fear grows deep down
That, ere I near the mountain crown,
Silent tears will slip off eyelash cliffs
And tumble down the deep abyss,
As flames lick and lame my knee
Forcing me to falter and flee
To hours of painful descent in defeat,
Beaten by gravity, compelled to retreat.
Gritting my teeth, head bowed in shame,
Drooped with the burden of bearing the blame.

Beacon

The day was full of sunshine
as we headed out, day three
of our walks on hills of Sussex
my brother Dave and me
This time to Ditchling Beacon
climbing chalky paths and hill
then into shady valleys
where the air was calm and still

Rodmell

We climbed up to Firle Beacon
(It was really windy there)
and its wasn’t from the beans we’d had
for breakfast, to be fair!
The views across fair Sussex
were magnificent to see
on this second day of walking
for my brother Dave and me
And then downhill to Rodmell
in the valley of the Ouse
for well earned respite at the pub
followed by a snooze

Alfriston

We traversed Seven Sisters
high cliffs above the sea
Clear blues skies and sunshine
my brother Dave and me
There were lots of foreign students
around the tourist traps
but we left them all behind us
as we walked on, us two chaps

Eastbourne

Woke up to a morning
with zero chance of rain
Another perfect day
for our walkings once again
Starting here in Eastbourne
with the sun on deep blue sea
the day is full of promise
for my brother, Dave and me

The South Downs Way

To the South Downs Way
the brothers return again
retreading their steps

©Jemverse

A song for the way

5 of 5 in the Jemverse ’31’ series

We lost sight of our accordion player
as we wandered, singing our song
But he was just lagging behind us
as we slowly ambled along

So, reaching the base of escarpment
Fulking Village just ahead there to find
We turned and up there high above us
we found him in the sunshine

Adventure Planning

Around about this time of year
my brother Dave and me
Take maps and pens and paper
to our local hostelry
And there we’ll plan adventures
whilst sharing a fine ale
Recalling all we’ve had before
with memories to regale

Little Bridge

Fording ‘cross a gentle stream
at the bottom of the field
Down some steps cut to the bank
a little bridge revealed

A wander, some mud and the Ring

Walking up from Washington
in excellent company
The South Downs up above us
so we’ve plenty here to see
And the rain that fell here overnight
has gone and in good time
For our wanderings this morning
as the weather’s dry and fine

Achievement and Pride

We’ve walked a hundred miles
my brother Dave and me
The South Downs Way from Winchester
to Eastbourne by the sea
And when we reached the signpost
at the end we both agreed
that the feeling of achievement
was very good indeed

Day Five (Alfriston to Eastbourne)

And just when we needed the sunshine
there it was just like a friend
to enrich us and encourage
and spur us to the end

Day Four (Rodmell to Alfriston)

Arriving here at Alfriston
we found the Smugglers Inne
A sixteenth century ale house
for the sale of beer and gin
And although it’s not imposing
many secrets here it hides
for behind its small exterior
more than twenty rooms inside