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
[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].
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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]
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
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
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
...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...
Jemverse 