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

Eurovision 22

Watching Eurovision Twenty Two
aghast with whoops and cheers
we watched as UK on the boards
got its first points in years
Every time a twelve was called
to UK, loud we hailed
for this history in the making
that our 'spaceman' had regaled
Yet, saying that, the public vote
to place the winning sound
was absolutely justified
when Ukraine's turn came round

Release

I'm sitting down in Obi's field
as the vice across my chest
has returned with bitter vengeance
so I really need the rest
I've found a lovely spot though
by the fence amongst the yellow
where I can sit and watch the
running of the happy fellow
And breathing deep the Sussex air
I feel the vice break free
releasing all the pressure
that this asthma brings to me

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

Lotty looking lovely

The lottie's looking lovely
more like it's owned and loved
instead a patch of weed and grass
abandonment has shoved
and it didn't really take that long
we have a system there you see
as Sally does the strimming
leaving heavy stuff to me
So the lottie's looking lovely
once again our patch of land
on which we'll grow our produce
and keep it looking grand

Withy 22

Despite the worst that winter had
with storm force winds and rain
come Spring the withy fence I built
stood proud and there remained
It's greying now and brittle from
the allotment's changing clime
but it's still something I'm proud of
and it is uniquely mine

Guaranteed

Never a dull day, an adage to hold
whether skies be bright blue or all grey
keep a smile on the face and a glint in the eye
is something to live by each day
Sometime it is harder than others I know
but there's always a place there to find
just a 'je ne sais quoi' or other obscure
to help you relax and unwind
And that glint in the eye, may it never fade
six decades truthful to me
so just give it a chance, try it out for a day
and you'll notice the change, guaranteed

Tea with the Queen

We're suited and booted and dressed to the nines
with whistles and dresses for these special times
as with honour bestowed to the palace we go
for tea with the Queen in her garden you know
A privilege shared with the hundreds invited
we're both feeling nervous but very excited
for we know when we get there all will be fine
as it's not every day with the Queen that you dine

Two Squirrels

Two squirrels playing in the tree
scurrying about
But as to who was chasing who
I think there was some doubt
Suffice to say it seemed to me
that they were having fun
as I passed by quite nonchalantly
in early May's bright sun

Ancient woodlands’ bequest

The bluebells are blooming, it's that time of year
in the garden there under the tree
that gives shade from the sun
when their time has begun
for this lovely bright vision we see

Reversing the loop

Six miles and thirteen thousand steps
reversed, the loop's still fine
as this quite pleasant circuit
is something wholly mine
Takes around two hours
with a few stops in between
to savour once again the views
amongst the best I've seen
For this is Sussex and my home
we share a synergy
taking full advantage of
each other's company

Blossoming

The cherry tree in Ham Field
is in full blossom and looks great
so I'm rather pleased we left things
and decided then to wait
til some warmer Springtime weather
before coming to this place
as now we see it in full glory
as it smiles in Summer's face

Overgrown

The grass on the allotment
was very long indeed
the no-dig plots were overgrown
and needed thorough weed
but after we had strimmed it
it once again took shape
so I don't thinks it will be
too long now til we make
it start to grow some produce
for our table and for more
to brighten up this place
which both Sal and I adore

Becoming rested

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

May the fourth be with you II

Seven years of Star Wars days
we've had this little chap
the dog of many, many names
so let's give him a clap
Obi Wan Kinobi is 
his proper name of course
hence 'May the fourth be with you'
as he is strong with 'the force'
But he has many others
to numerous to repeat
as he is a very special friend
who makes our lives complete

Shoreham my home

Through a gap in the bushes
I spied Shoreham town
nestled there under the Downs
twixt me and the sea
safe there in the lea
the bearer of treasure and crowns

Chalky

These chalky trails on Sussex loam
in these green hills above my home
are quite the best so many times
I will return as they are mine
and with a joy I'll shout aloud
this is my Sussex and I'm proud

One IX

9 of 12 in the Jemverse series ’12 months V’

Maybe May will find me
on the beach once more
as warmer days get warmer
and summer waits in store
Maybe May will be the one
to see those doors flung wide
for long days in the sunshine
no more the place to hide
Maybe May will see these things
as they're the thing to do
for the fifth month and summer
are quite symbiotic too

Gigsters Divine

Though many bands we've seen
it's been six years since last we all
were collectively 'the gigsters'
at least, as I recall
But last night for Divine Comedy
the 'Gigsters' were united
once again all six together
as each had been invited
'Divine' was most appropriate
as superlative this evening
the 'Gigsters' doing what we do
for friendship's steadfast meaning

Back to the loop

It was back to the loop
with a whim and a way
as the sun was quite warm
on this late April day
and I was on leave
and the hills were all green
and the chalk of the trail
is the best I have seen
so I put best foot forward
with this walk 'cos it's there
reacquainting myself
with this pleasure to share

Greenship

There's a green ship in the harbour
up the river quite a bit
much further on than usual
so I took a pic of it
Rarely dredged of course these days
the building silt means most
will rarely venture up this far
at Shoreham on the coast
A far cry from my yesterdays
when every berth was full
so good to see the odd one still
with time's incessant pull

Summer in April

At the end of April, summer
made an early show of hand
as the sun shone warm on Sussex
fair across this pleasant land
So I put a best foot forward
took advantage with no shame
once more into the hedgerow
bordered pathways, trails and lane
Exploring parts of Sussex
I had never been before
in this lovely springtime sunshine
as that's just what it is for

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

Circles and drifting

A fine dapper gentleman regal and proud
posed for a picture and stared
Ears at the ready, heightened sense alert
whiskers quivered as his nostrils flared
For this was his field, his fiefdom, his rule
for circles and drifting and more
with his humans in tow he embodied the joy
for the running which all dogs adore

The silence of ancient walls

Beside old Railway Gardens the old flint wall has stood
built two hundred years ago but still it's looking good
And if its stones could talk and tell the history of the years
of Shoreham since the railway came of all those toils and tears
What a merry tale that would be for us who live
in this town beside the sea and what we wouldn't give
For history books are great to have but the interesting essence
can only come from something that has stood from past to present
So sadly we will never know for these old walls are still
and silent from the years they've seen as they forever will

Biding Time

In the grass getting greener
there are dandelions hiding
getting bolder with yellow
but time still abiding
because here just in April
the warmth's still a tease
so they need something more
to be fully at ease