Reversing the loop

Six miles and thirteen thousand steps
reversed, the loop's still fine
as this quite pleasant circuit
is something wholly mine
Takes around two hours
with a few stops in between
to savour once again the views
amongst the best I've seen
For this is Sussex and my home
we share a synergy
taking full advantage of
each other's company

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Shoreham my home

Through a gap in the bushes
I spied Shoreham town
nestled there under the Downs
twixt me and the sea
safe there in the lea
the bearer of treasure and crowns

And I smiled in the knowledge
that this was my home
the place I am so pleased to live
for it has everything
to make my heart sing
with the riches it serves there to give

©Jemverse

Photo – Shoreham town from Mill Hill, West Sussex – Jempics

Chalky

These chalky trails on Sussex loam
in these green hills above my home
are quite the best so many times
I will return as they are mine
and with a joy I'll shout aloud
this is my Sussex and I'm proud

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Back to the loop

It was back to the loop
with a whim and a way
as the sun was quite warm
on this late April day
and I was on leave
and the hills were all green
and the chalk of the trail
is the best I have seen
so I put best foot forward
with this walk 'cos it's there
reacquainting myself
with this pleasure to share

©Jemverse

Photo – The South Downs looking west from Mill Hill, West Sussex (start of Jem’s 6-mile loop) – Jempics

Summer in April

At the end of April, summer
made an early show of hand
as the sun shone warm on Sussex
fair across this pleasant land
So I put a best foot forward
took advantage with no shame
once more into the hedgerow
bordered pathways, trails and lane
Exploring parts of Sussex
I had never been before
in this lovely springtime sunshine
as that's just what it is for

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Fairwarp Climb

Above the eighteenth century village
through yellow gorse and sand
on the edge of Ashdown Forest
neath shady beech trees grand
we climbed to top of Ashbourne Hill
walked past the airman's grave
silent in memorial
this bright day April gave
then back down through Campfields rough
crossing Small Brown's brook
to conclude this four-mile circle
at the starting path we took

©Jemverse

Photo – climbing Ashbourne Hill (above Fairwarp), North-East Sussex, Good Friday 2022 – Jempics

Sussex my home

From up here with this vista
three sixty turn around
I can see the hills I've walked upon
on this fair Sussex ground
Some are many miles away
feint shadows in the mist
but all of them both near and far
my feet have trod and kissed
For this kingdom is my Sussex
with its flint and chalky sod
all its hills and pastures
touched by the hand of God
So whenever opportunity
gives me the power to roam
I offer up a prayer of thanks
that Sussex is my home

©Jemverse

Photo – The South Downs of Sussex looking west from Ditchling Beacon – Jempics

A saving grace

In seven tree field it was squelchy and wet
but we didn't mind and we didn't fret
for in spite of the rain that fell from the sky
we had a great time as Obi ran by
He got very muddy and was browner still
but it all washed away with a hosing and swill
and after a towelling he was warm and dry
as we drove back home under dull leaden sky
Seven tree field, many words have been written
but no apologies here as both of us smitten
for it really is quite a magnificent place
which for each of us three is a real saving grace

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Of sheep, walking and winter

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

Photo – Jempics

Abundance II

Something different every time
in this familiar place
visited most weekends
as it's our saving grace
Obi gets his running time
as we follow, slower gait
and every time throughout the year
new pleasures there await
Something different every time
some small, some larger still
await us when we visit
our abundance to refill

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics