The Beach Hut Arms

Came down to the beach hut
on a very windy day
it wasn’t very warm but
I didn’t mind cos, hey…
The reason I was here
with the sea so very near
was to meet at social distance
with a good friend for a beer

And as the weather forecast
was for rain we didn’t care
as the chance to share a beer
with a chat was great down there
So I rather think that this
is something I will often do
A beer at social distance
with a cracking seaside view

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Photo – ‘The Beach Hut Arms’ – Jempics

Sunshine as a friend

Yellow, warming
lifts my soul
Catches, comforts
makes me whole
Brings a shoulder
to console
the sunshine as a friend

Gives a smile
when scarce are they
Keeps the blues
quite well away
Brings a welcome
to the day
the sunshine as a friend

Heals me always
ever there
Sometimes hidden
sometimes rare
But always with
a joy to share
the sunshine as a friend

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Of Beacons and Mud

Went for a walk for a birthday
All of us met at the Star
heading off to the Beacon
via Falmer so not all that far
Up through the woods over Stanmer
frolicking under the trees
rained a lot here so the mud was
quite frequently up to our knees

The sunshine made an appearance
and the rain kept away for the day
replaced with wind that was boisterous
and with us for most of the day
But we found our way to the Beacon
and took pictures there of the Weald
before heading downwards to Ditchling
down steep paths and more muddy yield

The Bull was packed and was heaving
but we found a table where we
could sit for a while with a pint and a laugh
by the window when it became free
And then it was all back to Shoreham
legs aching and needing a rest
safe in the knowledge that days like these
are always the absolute best

©Jemverse

My eldest daughter – Emily Rose (forefront right) – hosts a traditional walk every year for her birthday. This year we walked from Falmer to Ditchling via Stanmer Woods. Photo – Jempics

Days gone by (Auld Lang Syne)

And so these few words
at the end of ten years
to wrap up a decade
of laughter and tears

We’re all ten years older
with the wisdom that brings
and we all must have seen
many wonderful things

Some which have brought us
joy and some gladness
and others some grief
and immeasurable sadness

And yet here we all are
as the twenty-teens end
looking forward as one
as family and friend

To another new decade
with all that is fine
as we all raise our voices
to the ‘auld lang syne’

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Like a friend

I went all the way to Liverpool
and sat in Derby Square
Victoria looked down on me
as I was sitting there
On my iPod rather fittingly
the Beatles played a song
about a girl called Eleanor
to which I hummed along
Appropriate to hear that
near to where the song was penned
fifty something years ago
familiar like a friend

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Photo – Derby Square, Liverpool, UK – Jempics

Rose ‘n’ Daisy

The postman brought us yesterday
a box from two good friends
who’d very kindly, lovely flowers
to us, they’d thought to send
It really was a nice surprise
Gave us a warming glow
‘Cos it’s nice to get a present
by surprise from friends you know

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Photo – Jempics

60/40 III (the day after)

To the beach hut for breakfast
after music and laughter
watching the sea with some toast
Here with good friends
in the place that we love
down on the fine Sussex coast

We’ve done 60/40
(well, the birthdays at least)
The anniversary is still to come
It’s been a real blast
and long may it last
as we carry on having fun

©Jemverse

This year, my soulmate Sal and I turned 60 and, in July we’ll see our 40th wedding anniversary. As good an excuse for a party if ever there was one! (Photo – Jempics)

60/40 II (The day)

The day has arrived
the one after Solstice
so the light will be with us til late
And here in midsummer
down on the beach
the atmosphere will be great

We’ve friends who are coming
from miles away
we have not seen for some time
So you can be sure
that we’ll celebrate
and that everything will be fine

60/40 is here
Party and music
and dancing you can be sure
For this is the moment
for many months
that we have been waiting for

©Jemverse

This year, my soulmate Sal and I turned 60 and, in July we’ll see our 40th wedding anniversary. As good an excuse for a party if ever there was one! (Photo – Jempics)

60/40 I (the day before)

The venue is booked
and the playlist is ready
the invites sent months ago
And now, come the summer
it’s almost the time
for us to get on with the show

60/40 is here
celebratory time
with friends who are dear to our hearts
And come the morrow
we’ll get party togs on
for the evening eight o’clock start

©Jemverse

This year, my soulmate Sal and I turned 60 and, in July we’ll see our 40th wedding anniversary. As good an excuse for a party if ever there was one! (Photo – Jempics)

Revisiting a friend

No 4 of 12 in the Jemverse series ‘Back to the sea’

There is no other sound quite like it
It is unique, it is sublime
Like a constant whisper out there
When it’s calm and weather’s fine

Or then when wind decides to blow
And storms come from the North
It is like a constant thunder
As the waves slam back and forth

It is a mystery to me
But it’s also like a friend
An ever-changing story
With no beginning and no end

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

“Friend” was originally published on Jemverse on 3 May 2014