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

Two Swans

Two swans down by the waterside
of the River Ouse
as it flows north of Lewes
cold water there to use
Preening their white feathers
so pleasing to the eye
as on our way back to the car
Sal and I walk by

Buckingham House

As a boy I used to play here
inside the burnt out walls
playing hide n seek and other games
within its hallowed halls

Once we ventured to the basement
down dark and dusty stair
oblivious to danger
with innocence to dare

But now all these years later
it is a block of flats
although the outside walls remain
preserved and still intact

The best I’ve known

Back on the six-miler
in Sussex from my home
it's great to be up here again
the best walk I have known

And that is saying something
as many trails I've trod
several on the continent
and more on English sod

But it's always back to Sussex
which is hardly a surprise
as this is where my home is
where my heart truly lies

Church Cottage Twitten

Betwixt Church Street and Middle
in the ancient of the town
is 'Church Cottage Twitten'
where I'll often wander down
It's a short cut to the High Street
and it's quiet and very quaint
besides I like the older things
'Cos young though now I ain't

Sussex Trug

Got a Sussex Trug on Father's day
an antique one as well
it really is quite beautiful
and though not keen to dwell
it's something I have wanted
for as long as I recall
something made in Sussex
and from local wood and all

Al fresco dining

In Shoreham town al fresco
dining now seems to be the norm
which is lovely in the summer
when days are mostly warm
but when they're overcast
or quite windy like today
it's not without a smirk
to see the faces there portray
something of discomfort
as they put on a brave face
yet shiver as they eat their meals
this climate to embrace

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

Eye to the sky

Soaring up to deepest blue
the i-360 there
as dwarfed beneath its structure
I turn my head and stare

The 'doughnut' glistens in the sun
high up there in the sky
as tourists take their pictures
as they're taken way up high

Though truth be told I always would
prefer the old West Pier
this is still a fitting tribute to
the Brighton that's still here

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

Castle moats and petrichor

Walked around the castle moat
with petrichor around
procected from the wind and rain
in here with n'er a sound

The great stone walls they towered
made us feel very small
but it was all ethereal
to captivate us all

We wandered slowly, ambling
the moment special there
enjoying here the privilege
in which we all could share

The last West Pier

You'd never think from how it looks
that many years ago
the boards of this forgotten pier
I walked down oft and slow
Derelict for forty years
and then destroyed by fire
the skeletal remains now stand
as its last funeral pyre
Brighton's West Pier still it's called
but you'll need imagination
to picture once how grand it was
from this last iteration

Walking Days

Around about this time of year
in ones now in the past
my mind has turned to walking
with my brother for a blast
Together we have wandered
many miles o'er many hills
mostly here in Sussex
with the pleasure all that fills

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

Freedom II

Seagull giving it ‘some of that’

on ‘Fatto Mano’s’ there

whilst we walked slow through Brighton

the afternoon to share

Rock buns in Pavilion Gardens

charity shops galore

cheap CDs in the pound shop

and we’re back here once more

Pond Water

There’s a pub in Brighton called ‘The Pond’
closed of course at present
as every pub in England is
which is a bit unpleasant
It serves a pint they brew themselves
‘Pondwater’ – quite sublime
which I will savour once again
quite soon, I trust, sometime

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

Social distance birthdays

It was murky on the Dyke today
and you could not see far
which really was a pity as
the view’s spectacular

You’ll have to take my word for that
because the picture shows you nowt
of what Sussex has to offer
and what the Weald is all about

This field we walk

This field we walk
our saving grace
and for result
we love this place
Changing as
the year goes by
and different things
each time we spy
The joy of seeing
running paws
and flapping ears
to much applauds

The beauty of a tree

Silhouetted in the sun
the tree in centre field
stands proud of the water
and looks out to the Weald

And out here east of Steyning
on this lovely winter day
I felt so glad to be alive
I shouted loud ‘hooray’!

Life is made for moments
like this, singular and free
especially when confronted by
the beauty of a tree

Over Brighton Tonight

A sky atmospheric
over Brighton tonight
met us on the beach
reflecting the light

Spectacular was
the view there that we
had to pause for a while
by the night-blackened sea

Brighton pastel (haiku)

Reflecting Brighton
bathed in pastel colour here
December sunset

Big Sky IV

The pink up in the evening blue
divided by the grey
in a big sky above the field
on this November day

It fills me with a sense of awe
magnificence right there
the heavens just above my head
with which none can compare

Revealing Treasure

The longshore drift moves shingle
as the beaches change their shape
revealing all the treasures
that changing times will make
and particularly pleasing
for an inspiration here
is the old Victorian breakwater
to bring me joy and cheer

In Sussex

Rainshadow on November sea
braced against the weather we
into strong sou’ westerly
In Sussex where we live

Swans (haiku)

Swans on Widewater
nestled behind the beach
here on Sussex coast

Thwarted

I felt like a wander
out to the Loop
six miles again over the Downs
But the rain paid a visit
its objectives upheld
resigned to stay home with some frowns

And yes I agree with you
strongly in fact
the weather shouldn’t get in the way
but I tell you the stair rods
falling out there
made their point as they had their say