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

Wet paws

It was quite damp in Obi’s field
near Ashurst, Sunday last
the rain came down like stair rods
and the sky was overcast
the ground was rather sodden
more marshland than a field
the penalty for being
in the flat of Sussex Weald

Stopham Bridge III

In Sussex there’s a bridge
Built in fourteen twenty-two
now closing on six hundred years
since its fine stones were new
It spans the river Arun
near Stopham Village where
it’s provided here a crossing
for local folk to share

Atmospheric IV

Atmospheric I think you might say
of the beach at Shoreham this evening
with the white of the surf from the waves on the shore
and the taste of salt they were leaving
The wind caught our breath and took it away
as we leant to sou’westerly facing
and a laugh shouted loud at the thrill of it all
was lost in the ambiance bracing

My southern hills

Last time I came along this way
it was chalk upon my feet
Clouds of dust cooked by the sun
in lovely summer heat

But what a change here now to see
now autumn rains have come
the dried out dip now water-filled
reflecting autumn sun

A lucky chap I am

Up on the six mile circuit
these hills retain their charm
bathed in an autumn sunshine
they bring a certain calm
And wandering by these hedgerows
with berries bright and red
this is the perfect place to be
o’er anywhere else instead
So I put best foot forward
and walked because I can
so conscious of the simple fact
a lucky chap I am

Little yellow seat II

I’m sitting on the yellow seat
Looking out to sea
It’s perfect in the sunshine
Although a tad windy

We came down here again today
So it seemed the thing to do
On such a lovely day as this
To see this lovely view

Who’s smirking?

So what did he do
on the beach when not working?
the question was asked
with appropriate smirking
Apt one would say
with no conviction of doubt
when all of the story of
the truth it gets out

On the beach II

10 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

The sprawl of Brighton to the east
and Worthing to the west
is why this beach at Lancing
sparks such an interest
As lying equidistant
the eye is drawn to each
affording quite the best of views
when sitting on the beach

Back for more

8 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

Not content with just a day
I’m back again for more
a repeat here of the yesterday
close to this fine sea shore
The sunshine just as warming
the sea just as sublime
on this beach at Lancing
which I regard as mine

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