Coddiwomple

No. 4 in the ‘Colloquy’ series

We coddiwompled in the mud
up at Barcombe Mills
all eight of us together
amidst the Sussex hills

The rain held off but underfoot
the mud was thick and wet
but we all had the best of times
so never cause to fret

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Rejuvenation

Almost iridescent brightness to squint
with eyes skewed to the sun behind
where spiky winter teasels cold
stand proud against a low zenith
of a winter sky

Of sheep, walking and winter revisited

3 of 12 in ‘The of…’ series from Jemverse 2022

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

Wander for the day

Planned a walk, it was quite far
but the views would be spectacular
so there was little here to mar
our wander for the day

Yes, we'll be out for several hours
so hoping for some sun not showers
to claim the day and make it ours
in every single way

Ticking the box

Walked a circle round the airport
the rain was in the air
and it was fairly windy
but we loved being there
The three of us and Wolfgang
ten thousand steps then home for tea
is always going to tick the box
in Shoreham by the sea

I’ll not hang my boots

Never will I hang my boots
at least not yet a while
for there's plenty more out there
I know to bring a smile
and whilst my best foot forward
is still something I can
I'll ride on Shanksey's Pony*
at least that's now the plan

Walking

Seven Sisters, South Downs Way
high up on Short Brow
looking back to Cuckmere Haven
the sun before me now
Perfect walks were made for this 
and breathing deep the air
I laughed aloud with thankfulness
for simply being there

Time for a wander

It's been a while since I wandered out in the land
that Sussex affords in its landscape so grand
so today in my boots with my compass in hand
I ventured out there again

The sunshine was warm in an Autumn blue sky
with occasional clouds floating lazily by
so with inclemency low and good weather high
I ventured out there again

This Sussex I admire

Ah, these temperate moments
when, up on the South Downs Way
I look up to the paths I've trod
on a fine autumnal day

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