After the storm

After the storm
on the beach the tideline
has made its mark on the stones
with seaweed lines
drawn free and wild
a calming now atones

For all last night
its temper raged
a tantrum fierce and wild
yet now it smiles
calm and serene
the sea and weather mild

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

The hill, the view and breath taken

Walked through the woods
as it wended its way
uphill all the way to the Ring
The weather was kind
and we didn’t mind
as no waterproofs did we bring

Preferences

On the hill above the flyover
where just five weeks ago
no cars were seen to travel
but now the traffic’s slow

People travelling home from work
in weather hot and dry
whilst high above them on the Downs
I watch as they crawl by

The Circle III

The Circle, a walk
the morning quite warm
and three of us here for a change
showing others the view
made it all seem like new
though the route I did not rearrange

Better with more

I quite like walking by myself
although company is best
out here in the countryside
to spark an interest

I can comment on a lovely view
but it’s a bit one-sided
Nice to have alternative
when in a friend confided

I can put a best foot forward
but it’s also nice to pause
encouraged by companions
unbound by rules or laws

The big black dog he wasn’t there

The big black dog he wasn’t there
this second Friday evening
but I wasn’t all that bothered
(it was actually quite relieving)
For it meant of course that all this space
was mine to run around
have a sniff, enjoy myself
my field on Sussex ground

Things to do on hot days III

And yes there is the beach hut
turquiose, waiting by the sea
a favourite and always
where we’d really like to be
For here the air is tranquil
and the view it is sublime
full bodied and resplendent
like a really good fine wine

My hidden way

Took myself back round the Circle
starting with Mill Hill
heading to the chalky Slonk
my boots with joy to fill
Said hello to rabbits
and horses in the field
Took in long the valley view
across the Sussex Weald

Together

We all went up to Bignor Hill
the six of us as one
It wasn’t actually raining
but there wasn’t any sun
Yet none of us we cared one jot
as this was perfect weather
for a long walk in the countryside
the six of us together

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

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

Nestled

Nestled underneath the Downs
beside the deep blue sea
Shoreham town lies quietly there
serene and peacefully

Approaching from the Sussex hills
this view it caught my eye
and thankful that I live down there
I ambled slowly by

Houndie House

Found a field at Horsebridge
out near Ashurst way
for an hour of pure freedom
on an evening of a day
Three acres all protected
by a rabbit fence all round
with trees and luscious grass of green
upon the chalky ground

Mind’s Eye travelling II

In my mind’s eye I have travelled
to the places I love most
here in lovely Sussex
on the charming Southern coast
Places I can’t visit
in these strange days we are in
but yet I know each one so well
for clear remembering

Few trees

3 of 3 in the ‘Tree’ series from Jemverse

There are few trees up here but still
the view is quite breathtaking
so I don’t mind a bit because
it’s freedom in the making
On our doorsteps here but still
few people get this far
A mystery as up here the view
is quite spectacular

From Three Trees

2 of 3 in the ‘Tree’ series from Jemverse

From ‘Three Trees’ on the Beacon
with sunshine in the field
the view is always wonderful
out across the Weald
As you can see for miles
to the hill line way up north
across the scattered villages
as clouds pass back and forth
This place it is idyllic
high up on South Downs Way
made better by the sunshine
on this lovely mid-March day

Fortitude

Each evening on the journey home
we drive beside the sea
‘neath a big sky that sweeping view
How fortunate are we?
The shingle beach right there beside
the road just yards away
a pleasure bringing fortitude
on each and every day

Ditchling Down

Ditchling Down
the path so steep
and us all slippy-sliding
In squelchy mud
unbalanced from
the frigid winds all hiding

Ditchling Down
with Weald below
the distant view confiding
as we struggle
down the gradient
quite often all colliding

In Stanmer Woods

In Stanmer Woods the trees stand tall
and sheltered down below
I stand as if on tippy-toe
as I’m quietly in the know
For up above the wind blows free
with frigid winter blast
yet down upon the bracken floor
there’s stillness here to last

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

Thoughts of walking

My brother sent a text
reminding me to book
some dates in May when
we’ll take another look
and with a best foot forward
and packs and beating heart
we’ll head into the Sussex hills
another walk to start

Emmaus

To Emmaus for a rummaging
in the bric-a-brac arcade
and later for an omelette
quickly for us made
We found a jug for flowers
but nothing else today
just nice to come and have a browse
upon a Saturday

As a seagull again

7 of 7 in the Jemverse series ‘Shoreham again’

As a seagull I flew inland from the sea
Up in a yellow-tinged sky
Looking down with the freedom I commanded in flight
as I swooped and I soared up on high

I watched as the river meandered below
Through the town I am proud to call home
with its cluster of houses gathered close to the sea
over routes I have so often flown

This river again

6 of 7 in the Jemverse series ‘Shoreham again’

In this river’s silted tributaries
Navigation now
Reserved for smallish river craft
Low of beam and bow
And yet, two hundred years ago
Galleons here were made
Crafted beams at Bramber
Where many keels were laid
Such changing times of commerce
The Adur’s here provided
For this fishing port of Shoreham
Which by the sea has long resided

Shoreham Airport again

5 of 7 in the Jemverse series ‘Shoreham again’

Shoreham Airport’s terminal building
The oldest in the land
Is getting a new makeover
To make it fresh and grand

It’s 1930’s facade fell into
a terrible state
With peeling paint and cracks in walls
But soon it will look great

Walking contented again

4 of 7 in the Jemverse series ‘Shoreham again’

These cobbled lanes, a thousand years
Where countless souls have trod
This hallowed ground where now I walk
On sparkling dew-clad sod

This sleepy town, its flinted walls
Where fisherfolk resided
And the comfort that the parish church
Reliably provided