Together

We all went up to Bignor Hill
the six of us as one
It wasn’t actually raining
but there wasn’t any sun
Yet none of us we cared one jot
as this was perfect weather
for a long walk in the countryside
the six of us together

©Jemverse

Photo – The Croucher tackle the ‘Bignor Hill Circle’ – June 2020 – Jempics

Best foot forward

With best foot forward
I take to the hills
following each chalky trail
It’s different each time
and abundantly fine
bring joy every time without fail

With best foot forward
I find rhythm in step
humming a song in my head
The Sussex air clear
in these hills always near
on these paths that I often tread

With best foot forward
I pause for a rest
taking in the view all around
The beauty sublime
is here to my mind
the best which in Sussex I’ve found

With best foot forward
I carry on to my goal
The reward my view of the Weald
then it’s back down the hill
with several miles still
through woodland and cross open field

With best foot forward
home comes into view
as footsore I break into smile
A magical day
in every which way
this pleasure every once in a while

©Jemverse

Photo – the Sussex Weald from Chanctonbury Ring – Jempics

Circular

It’s around about six miles
twelve thousand steps or so
a circle up above the town
where to the hills I go
It works in both directions
but the better one I think
is via the park up to Slonk Hill
with pause to take a drink

And then it’s straight to chalky trail
carved through the Sussex hill
which every time I walk up there
still gives me quite a thrill
For here I’m in my element
God’s country to the fore
with peace and beauty here within
surroundings I adore

My circle takes me onward
through Erringham to Mill
where when I reach the summit
I can see the channel still
And then it’s back to Shoreham
down Mill Lane to my front door
my six-mile circuit done today
until I’m back for more

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Happy Place

I’ve found again my happy place
I’ve been away too long
but pleased that I was back again
my heart was filled with song
and beaming as I found my gait
with rhythm in my stride
I laughed and grinned with pleasure there
in Sussex countryside

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Nestled

Nestled underneath the Downs
beside the deep blue sea
Shoreham town lies quietly there
serene and peacefully

Approaching from the Sussex hills
this view it caught my eye
and thankful that I live down there
I ambled slowly by

For these they are the precious days
with privilege so clear
and I am thankful that I have
all this so very near

©Jemverse

Photo – Shoreham-by-Sea snapped from Mill Hill, Sussex – Jempics

Of sunsets and supermoons

I found a freedom at sunset today
went out for a ride on my bike
Not many cars on the roads still of course
so I could go wherever I liked

Took a route by the airport at first
no planes on the field there in sight
felt a bit odd but then everything is
including an absence of flight

Crossed by the Pad to Old Botolphs road
the sun sinking low in the sky
peddled on down the quiet country lane
as tiny young rabbits hopped by

Paused on the crest to take in the view
the little church waiting down there
then whizzed down the hill freewheeling and fast
with the wind blowing warm in my hair

To the river and sunset over the hill
sinking down low in the west
Caught in this place where the view here I think
is probably one of the best

Then on home to Shoreham-by-Sea where I live
my bike taking me there quite soon
under a blue sky where in the east there arose
a wonderful new supermoon

©Jemverse

Photo – super moon rising over Shoreham – Jempics

Mind’s Eye travelling II

In my mind’s eye I have travelled
to the places I love most
here in lovely Sussex
on the charming Southern coast
Places I can’t visit
in these strange days we are in
but yet I know each one so well
for clear remembering

So though I am restricted
to the places close to home
I can still recall the pleasure
which freedom gives to roam
And with these recollections
I can travel far afield
to the places closest to my heart
above the Sussex Weald

©Jemverse

Photo – the Sussex Weald from Ditchling Down, South Downs, Sussex – Jempics

Few trees

3 of 3 in the ‘Tree’ series from Jemverse

There are few trees up here but still
the view is quite breathtaking
so I don’t mind a bit because
it’s freedom in the making
On our doorsteps here but still
few people get this far
A mystery as up here the view
is quite spectacular

There are few trees but never mind
good people, here’s the thing
the vista that your eyes will see
will cause your heart to sing
For here there is fair Sussex
in its glory bright and green
which I can promise you is quite
the best that you’ll have seen

©Jemverse

Photo – the Sussex Weald from Ditchling Beacon, Sussex – Jempics

From Three Trees

2 of 3 in the ‘Tree’ series from Jemverse

From ‘Three Trees’ on the Beacon
with sunshine in the field
the view is always wonderful
out across the Weald
As you can see for miles
to the hill line way up north
across the scattered villages
as clouds pass back and forth
This place it is idyllic
high up on South Downs Way
made better by the sunshine
on this lovely mid-March day

©Jemverse

Photo – Three Trees – Ditchling Down – South Downs Way – Sussex – Jempics

Fortitude

Each evening on the journey home
we drive beside the sea
‘neath a big sky that sweeping view
How fortunate are we?
The shingle beach right there beside
the road just yards away
a pleasure bringing fortitude
on each and every day

©Jemverse

Photo – the bay of Sussex, Southern England – Jempics