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
And so it was with week of sun
the holiday was true begun
and this no brainer not to shun
for it afforded hours of fun
whether walking or a run
many miles with evening done
for cooling down and sunset come
and no apology for pun
afforded by the words now spun
the rested and appeased become
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
On our last day we went back to Lyme
to look for fossils on the beach
heading westward from the town
to one in easy reach
And found them, oh I think we did
some massive ones at that
in boulders far too heavy
to take home and that's a fact
So I built a sculpture with flat stones
I found and balanced there
quite pleased with my achievement
took photographs to share
And the sun as it had been all week
shone down and warmed and beamed
as we sat down and rested
on the sand and looked and dreamed
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
Walked out for some exploring
early morning of the day
found the Five Bells atop the hill
saw sheep and lambs at play
the sun gleamed on the tower
of the church down in the village
as a big tractor passed me close by
avoiding country spillage
In Whitchurch Canonicorum
here at Courthouse Farm
we six came for adventure
in a big converted barn
Deep in the Dorset countryside
but not far from the coast
for a week of fun and frolics
of which we'll make the most
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
I'm on Worthing seafront
it's grey and there's rain
but I'm at Bison's beach bar
with a beer once again
Besides I'm on holiday
so I don't really care
as it's just nice to sit
and do nothing down there
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
And now I am on holiday
no working for a week
the precious time all of us need
and starting as I speak
I suspect there'll be some sunshine
and some days down on the beach
relaxing at the beach hut
as it is in easy reach
And I'll take in the six-miler
on the hills above my home
as I've not done that in quite a while
so walking skills I'll hone
Yesterday come teatime
as today I can now speak
I finished what can only
be described as a long week
For I’d done my level best
as each day came and went
and failed most days as longer
hours on each I’d spent
But now I can relax
in a host of different ways
as now I am on leave
for at least the next six days
I can rise when I like
but I’m up with the lark
as I want to see all of the day
For here are five more
for what lies in store
to do with as I like or I may
I may write a few words
over coffee at first
and then go and sit in the sun
Repot a plant
‘cos there’s nothing I can’t
do as I like til I’m done
Today I guess if truth be told
I start my holiday
Christmas and New Year, two weeks
Hip Hip, Hip Hip, Hooray!
I’m quite relaxed but that’s just me
as with most happenstance
I’m always up for jolly japes
when given half a chance
Two weeks to celebrate the joy
that Christmas brings each year
When we as family as one
have jolly japes and cheer
9 of 12 in ‘The Adriatic Affair’ series from Jemverse
We wandered Cannaragio
beside the Canale Grande
Over bridges, watching gondalas
heading for Rialto and
when we finally got there
we had pizza and a beer
in the restaurant beneath it
which we went to first last year
8 of 12 in ‘The Adriatic Affair’ series from Jemverse
The fog came down, it was quite thick
and we weren’t moving far
and dropping anchor out at sea
was unspectacular
Then the captain on the tannoy said
Venice was closed today
which as you might imagine
was met with some dismay
But then out there to starboard
a pale sun made a show
and as the pea soup dissipated
the ship prepared to go
6 of 12 in ‘The Adriatic Affair’ series from Jemverse
I sat on the sun deck with a cold beer
in the hot Ancona sun
watching the Superfast ferry unload
until the unloading was done
Hundreds of lorries off on their way
into Italy with cargoes intact
Like a well-oiled machine, facinating to see
from my lofty position, relaxed
So I watched as I waited for an hour or two
as all the time in the world here have I
Before Slovenia bound we disembark
which I think kicks off around five