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

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

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

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

Sussex my home

From up here with this vista
three sixty turn around
I can see the hills I've walked upon
on this fair Sussex ground
Some are many miles away
feint shadows in the mist
but all of them both near and far
my feet have trod and kissed
For this kingdom is my Sussex
with its flint and chalky sod
all its hills and pastures
touched by the hand of God
So whenever opportunity
gives me the power to roam
I offer up a prayer of thanks
that Sussex is my home

Of sheep, walking and winter

The sheep were in the upper field
I could see them on the hill
meandering whilst grazing
whilst winter grips us still
and though there is a part of me
with wanderlust that yearns
to tread those hills and join them
another part adjourns

Probably should

Probably should go walking
but my legs feel hollow still
almost as if they're not quite there
a vestige from the 'ill'
To be honest it is grey out there
but Shoreham beckons me
so I'll follow best foot forward
and see what I will see
Besides I can still rest when I
return home later on
'cos fresh air is what I need to prove
the 'illing' here is done

©Jemverse

Mist walking

Found myself walking along the Broadwalk
heading into the mist
the sunshine was there above me somewhere
as the sky and the shingle there kissed
Ethereal silence descended as I
strode eastward along on my walk
giving passers by room as they grew from the gloom
with whispers there as they talked
and it was cathartic and pleasant for me
with barely a ripple of breeze
winter cold still but healing the ill
as I wandered close there to the sea

Too cold in the field

Too cold in the field
in the rain yesterday
as my legs are quite short
in a small canine way
alright for my humans
in warm coats and hats
but a different thing
for small furry chaps
so we didn't stay long
just a short trot around
for a sniff and a wee
on the water-logged ground

Walking to Africa

With best foot forward this New Year
determination sets my gait
with a virtual walk to Africa
as several million steps await

And it seems I'm not the only one
as in the rain today
I spied outside a gathering
of cyclists on their way

I'm guessing that their riding goal
was somewhat less than mine
particularly as the weather is
today far less than fine

A spirit freed

The mystery of what's beyond
the gate across this winter field
keeps me guessing in the rain
that winter brings to Sussex Weald

I can see I think a mound of earth
and a house bathed deep in mist
behind the barren trees devoid
of green the spring and summer kissed

And part of me longs there to tread
exploring paths to whence they lead
for this the gift on me bestowed
to celebrate a spirit freed

Our field

So many times
we've both walked this field
with our little dog, Obi
in the heart of the Weald
Just north of Steyning
on the Partridge Green road
it's been here our haven
and many times strode

Each time we come here
something different we see
whilst Obi does running
quite safe and quite free
and we never grow weary
despite knowing it well
as it's wholesome and lovely
which these words I think tell

SDW (South Downs Way)

The South Downs Way
my favourite trail
so as moments come
I'll oft regale
the pleasure I derive from this
just walking here
my perfect bliss

I waved a long shadow

I waved a long shadow
by a favourite tree
in a favourite field
where I love to be
the sunshine was bright
but with rain in the air
though sadly no rainbow
was evident there

But as usual the joy
of the wander we had
in Seven Tree Field
just made our hearts glad
and our little dog, Obi
he ran and he ran
with exuberant gait
with which all dogs can

A morning hike

No. 7 the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

So we all walked back to Charmouth
early morning 'round sunrise
with mist in all the valleys
and a glow atop the rise

Took us about an hour
then we walked right back again
as the sun climbed higher brightly
in the east from whence it came

Wandering Tranquil

No. 3 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

Before the Dorset sun retired
at the end of a fine day
we went for a small wander
down the lanes around this way
At the crossroads we went straight ahead
as it seemed the thing to do
passed by the Crooch Farm courtyard
'neath a cloudless sky of blue

Our haven

This place, this haven
it's all of us
and we all miss it
if because
for some misfortune
or mishap
we have to tell
the little chap
there'll be no running
through the grass
or round the corner
as we pass

Deep Blue

The deep blue of this summer sky
is quite enough for me
here in the field of seven trees
where Obi runs quite free
These really are our special times
this hour each week we spend
and, truth be told, for sanity
on this we both depend
For it is a solace, comfort too
to walk an hour here
at the evening of a weekend
to fill our hearts with cheer

Sunshine through the V

Caught in the early evening sunshine
through the seventh tree
shining down on this fine field
and captured in the vee

Idyllic are these walks we have
each weekend at this time
an perfect be it raining
or, on days like this, just fine

And the winking of the sunshine
as I caught its setting rays
encapsulates the pleasure
we both get upon these days

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

Goring beach II

With eyes open wide
whilst the world was still snoring
I went for a walk on
the beach here at Goring
and the sky was as big
as ever skies get
with a hint of blue there
for some sunshine still yet
and the breeze was refreshing
and full in my face
as I put best foot forward
in this lovely place

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

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

Three acre field

December in Three acre field
so it’s wellies every time
as mostly it is raining though
sometimes it’s also fine

It’s colder now as well of course
but Obi doesn’t mind
as he still has his run about
and has a lovely time

And we still have a wander round
breathing in the air
and just like him enjoy the fact
of simply being there

A sheep’s lot

A sheep looking chilly
there in the field
caught my eye when just passing
in the Sussex Weald

Forlorn it stood pleading
with a look it its eye
“Could it come with me?”
as I wandered by

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

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

November reflections

Clouds in the field
and up in the sky
caught my eye there
as I wandered by
Some in the green
and others in blue
reflecting each other
the fall to eschew