Bluebell Loop

Bluebell by name and bluebell by nature
the walk was the best in a while
Seven miles wandering the countryside pure
in Sussex to bring us a smile

Five of us this time, numbers have swelled
the family out here together
with mud underfoot and grey of the sky
determined whatever the weather

We took in the woods with the blue and the green
passing paddocks and ponds on the way
before walking the tracks yesteryear provides still
the proud Sussex Bluebell Railway

And our pleasure was crowned with a glory right there
as a train puffered by with a song
the rhythm of steam and the clatter of wheels
it passed us as we walked along

So to the Green Man at Hosted Keynes where
footsore we raised glasses with cheer
A walk we'll remember as special indeed
which long in our hearts we'll hold dear

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[The Bluebell Railway is an 11-mile heritage steam railway line in Sussex which operates between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead (on the mainline) with intermediate stations at Horsted Keynes and Kingscote. It boasts over 30 steam locomotives and 150 carriages and wagons, most of them pre-1939].

 

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Rodmell loop

From Rodmell via Southease, a loop of three miles
as the warmth returned once again
Us four with our boots
'neath the blue of a sky
walking to keep ourselves sane

There were sheep in the rape munching blithely away
and cows lowing there in the field
as the Ouse on the ebb
flowed out to the sea
in the heart of the Sussex Weald

This circuital wander, just enough for us four
to brush all the cobwebs away
and see us all well
for a marvellous time
on this lovely warm late April day

©Jemverse

Photo – looking east towards the Ouse valley from Rodmell, East Sussex – Jempics

Climping Beach

Walked a five mile loop in a landscape
aliens seemed to have sculpted
strange tall structures there on the beach
descriptive words here prompted
The sun shone bright in April warmth
on slow receding tide
as we four wandered on the sand
and those tall structures spied

Erosion with the mighty hand
of nature's winter force
slamming tidal waves into
the old wood there of course
And yet on crystal days
like today at Climping here
this sculpting of a beachfront
brought to us four joy and cheer


©Jemverse

Photo – Climping beach, West Sussex – Jempics

Good Friday Wanders

The sun shone on Good Friday morn
as we went walking for some fun
Two sisters, father and a dog
as this good day has just begun
Started in fair Arundel
then through the castle ground
up through the South Stoke country park
where marvellous things were found

Views that took our breath away
with skies of deepest blue
this was a time to revel in
which we all four there knew
As it happened the eight miles we planned
turned into something more
though none of us we minded
with the wondrous things we saw

But the Black Rabbit pub it was
a welcome thing to see
as down the river path we came
footsore and thirsty we
Some fourteen miles of Sussex
for a walk which was the best
though when back home for buns and tea
we welcomed then the rest

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Snowdrop smiles

Found a field of snowdrops
along the Pilgrim Trail
it was a wonder to hehold
and latterly regale
So much so that we all paused
to take pictures for a while
as this little slice of heaven
was a thing to bring a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Berwick to Charleston

We walked from Berwick Station
hardy throng against the wind
forging through the countryside
no need here for chagrin
For this was long awaited
a walk for birthday treat
in a February Sussex
with the snowdrops looking sweet
A few miles along the Pilgrim Path
to Charleston House near Firle
with smiles of cheer on all our minds
and on our lips a curl

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Wellbeing wanders

Took myself for a walk
around and about
my gait having purpose
as it's nice to get out

Down to the beach 
the broad walk for me
breathing in deep
salt air from the sea

Nodding a greeting
to people I passed
responding in kind
to others who asked

Getting my steps in
but it's more than that
as it brings a purpose
for matter of fact

Wellbeing of mind
and body and spirit
which in walks by the sea
fills up in a minute

So the privilege isn't
in any way lost
and I'm thankful for that
with no price or cost

As all of this wonder
is given for free
in a walk on the beach
down here by the sea

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

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

The Anchor Inn was closed
but we really didn't mind
as this was just the perfect walk
coddiwompling here to find

©Jemverse

Photo – “The Beans at Barcombe – December 2022” – Jempics

[In the ‘Colloquy’ series, I’m exploring some the of English language’s more obscure words. Some little used, some no longer used but all recondite. ‘Coddiwomple’ is slang for travelling in a purposeful way towards a vague destination]

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

The part with child of summer
in its heart for sunshine's call
when I will gladly wander
with the summer standing tall
But now whilst still in Winter's grip
I'll watch here with resistance
the sheep there in the upper field
replete here from a distance

©Jemverse

Series pic – Jempics

[Of sheep, walking & winter was first posted to Jemverse in March this year]

Over the years I have titled several poems with the preposition ‘of’ – so this last Jemverse mini-series of 2022 pulls some of those back together again

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

The cliffs are tall and will be steep
with valleys in between quite deep
all forging memories to keep
which will for all time stay

So we our best foot forward will
forge right ahead in winter chill
as it's just seven days until
our wander for the day

©Jemverse

Photo – the South Downs Way in Sussex over ‘The Seven Sisters’ – approaching Birling Gap – Jempics

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