We're all quite excited
and the bags are all packed
with wellington boots
and scarves, coats and hats
the route is selected
and we all know the way
as we're finally going
on our holiday
It's the first time the Crouchers
have been away all as one
since two years ago
before Covid had come
so as you can imagine
we are buzzing with glee
for this week together
as one family
And both dogs will be there
as well which is better
so we're hoping for sun
but won't mind if it's wetter
as we will have fun
because we'll all be together
for Dorset adventures
whatever the weather
Had a Mangolicious Laines
a lovely IPA
fruity and refreshing
at the end of a long day
Eating at the Open House
all my girls and me
and a lovely Wolfgang
for a delicious tea
Definitions: ‘Mangolicious’ is a fruity IPA from the Brighton brewery ‘Laines’. The ‘Open House’ is a Brighton gastro-pub where one of the main brews on tap is ‘Laines’. ‘Wolfgang’ is my middle daughter’s Patterdale terrier.
Happy Birthday my Mother
you'd have been ninety today
but forever instead
eighty-seven you'll stay
The time of your passing
though sad was still right
but I still shed a tear
on occasion at night
But on fifth of September
remembering clear
I see that you're smiling
so Happy Birthday, my dear
Went to a birthday party
in Surrey, Saturday night
took us a while to get there
but that was quite alright
Loud cheers when we got there
the celebrations had begun
so we hurried there to join them
so we'd not miss out the fun
And we found the cheers had purpose
for the birthday and for now
as my brother had got married
on his birthday with a vow
Charles and Geoff now family proper
overjoyed does not come close
celebrating birthday marriage
on this day to juxtapose
I am a proud and elder brother
this is the best news in a while
exuberant jubilation
evident within my smile
And in this patch of England
idyllic by the lake
a little slice of heaven
on this evening we will make
Sunshine setting, shadows long
with stillness to the air
we stand and simply marvel
whilst a nightingale sings there
Last brunch today so IPA
featured as it should
along with a veggie breakfast
from the menu which looked good
Shared with jocund company
conversation for a smile
here at our Al Campo
where we come once in a while
Back in the fifties
and born to the sun
a Thursday's child
knew he had begun
Growing up in the sixties
never sun to eschew
this Thursday's child
was still nearly new
And then came the seventies
formative years
a teen to his twenties
with joy and yes, tears
The eighties and children
a girl and and boy
to this child of the summer
two bundles of joy
And then to the nineties
and two further girls
for more joy and happiness
giggles and curls
Born to the sun
the millennium came
and though he was older
he felt just the same
Twenty-tens and his fifties
the making of man
for wisdom and tenure
as only life can
Which brings us to now
the twenties are here
and a seventh decade
brings more of that cheer
This 'born to the sun'
Thursday's child has long known
with the secret of summer
sixty-two years have shown
Monday lunchtime at Al Campo
watching life go past
the windows open to the world
with summer here at last
The sunshine's really hot out there
but no-one is complaining
for the start of summer's overdue
from all the Maytime raining
And the four of us with flat whites here
just sharing conversation
enjoy this lunchtime respite
with cathartic reservation
At Rockwater for brunch
overlooking the sea
with sunshine and Sal
the children and me
The summer's arrived
and exquisite the place
evidenced here
by the smiles on the face
of everyone here
as they chat and just be
on the seafront at Hove
by the blue of the sea
Picked up a Wolfgang
he came for the day
went back to Shoreham
for gardens and play
whilst his Mum was at work
and so he’s not alone
as he likes to be with us
in this home from home
He came to collect meand I gave him a lubAs he’s one of my peopleAnd part of the clubI showed him my leadWhere it was on the floorand he put it onled me back to the doorAnd then to the carwhere I sat on his lapas they drove me to ShorehamI’m a lucky chapFor they have a gardenwhere I can long playwhen I visit my peoplethere for the day
We love days with Wolfgang
and he loves it here
He’s clearly relaxed
and it gives us much cheer
He’s free with his kisses
and well-behaved too
so you’re welcome here Wolfgang
’cos we all love you
...all about me and my life in words. I write most days, carrying an ideas book around in which I capture a word snapshot of life around me. So there's a lot here about Sussex and the sea and anything else I see that inspires.
The pictures are mine too. Some taken to match a poem; some poems written to match a pic; others chosen because they work well with words written.
Jemverse is life in words. Hope you enjoy the reading as much as I enjoy the writing...
