Fading Now

It's fading fast but still remains
a shadow of its former shine
and yet this forlorn memory
is something I still cherish, mine

For though its owners are long gone
and its superstructure fails
there are some precious memories
which passing time quite oft regales

And as they fade there into time
the vista north steadfast and true
of precious Shoreham by the sea
remains there in its fading view

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

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The Gut

Part of the ‘Past to Present’ series from Jemverse

The beach Ted Bunker launched his
boat from sadly is no more
once called 'The Gut' its gutted now
no more a shingle shore
Filled in to make a car park
the beach where once we played
is another loss to history
and to the fishing trade

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics (the Fisherman’s Beach [aka ‘The Gut’], Albion Street, Southwick, Sussex).

[‘The Gut’ was a small beach immediately behind Albion Street in Southwick, West Sussex. It was used by fishermen for many years and I can vividly remember playing there as a boy and talking to the fishermen as they pulled their boats ashore at high tide. But now – for no sound reason that I can imagine – the beach has been filled in to make way for a public car park].

This is what ‘The Gut’ looks like today

Imagination’s made

The harbour lit and sparkling
exuberant at night
the wind farm on horizon
glinting just in sight
and nestling on the quayside
the survey ship rests true
across the road from where I stand
beneath the azure blue
This is a thing of magic
as although a port of trade
scene's like this are always
where imagination's made

©Jemverse

Photo – Shoreham Harbour – Jempics

Greenship

There's a green ship in the harbour
up the river quite a bit
much further on than usual
so I took a pic of it
Rarely dredged of course these days
the building silt means most
will rarely venture up this far
at Shoreham on the coast
A far cry from my yesterdays
when every berth was full
so good to see the odd one still
with time's incessant pull

©Jemverse

Photo – Shoreham harbour – Jempics

Pretty Sails

Nestling in the harbour
at the yacht club yesterday
a jolly pretty sailboat
I espied whilst on my way

So I made a little detour
across the Adur Ferry Bridge
so that I could take a photo
as a special privilege

For this was something special
canvas sails a-hoisted high
just waiting for the tide to turn
as we all wandered by

Sadly that was hours away
so I couldn't see it sail
but the sight I captured of it
makes for smiles here to regale

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Two Days

Two days to go
until summer returns
for eight days for Sally and I
As packing our bags
to Dubrovnik we’re bound
on Thursday morning to fly

And it will be good
at least for a week
to feel warmth from the sunshine once more
Relaxation sublime
with weather so fine
and one or treats I am sure

©Jemverse

Photo – dawn over Dubrovnik, Croatia – Jempics

Sailing into Venice

9 of 16 in the Jemverse ‘Venetian Vistas’ series

Sailing into Venice
is there a better way?
I certainly cannot think of one
on this this lovely warm Monday
The sunrise golden in the east
The sky an azure blue
As slowly through the islands
we sail to this fine view

©Jemverse

Through the porthole

No 6. of 16 in the Jemverse ‘Venetian Vistas’ series

Outside our porthole as we sail
the water rushes by
Sometimes a flat calm and
sometimes waves are high

This morning we saw dolphins
which was as lovely as could be
Whilst tonight at dusk the moon was bright
shining on the sea

It’s great to have it with us
the oceans deep and wide
as on the Celebration
from Marella here we ride

©Jemverse

Slow Season

There are paddle boards and kayaks
Inflatables and yachts
And barking dogs just running
and calling all the shots
There are diamonds on the water
glistening in the sun
with the sound of wavelets breaking
on the shore by everyone

The sea is blue, inviting
‘Cross the bay here on the coast
Cliffs of Brighton in the distance
as the people make the most
For this is perfect Saturday
the summer typified
the beach and sea and sunshine
keeping all here satisfied

©Jemverse

Little boat bobbing

There’s a little boat bobbing
on the waves just out there
Alone in the water
its white hull a-glare
Catching the sun as
it catches the sea
Glinting like diamonds
quite brilliantly
It’s sails are all furled
so it’s clearly at rest
and on days such as these
that is much for the best

©Jemverse