On the table outside
are memories we treasure
rocks and pebbles from Dorset
hold joy beyond measure
Some fossils, all lovely
some plain and some not
we love every one
and are pleased with the lot
And they're out there for purpose
to get wet in the rain
for then we can see them
as we found them again
Fresh, wet from the sea
with their lines and their form
which fascinated us then
and now our table adorn
Our treasures from Dorset
for us always to hold
displayed in our garden
and as precious as gold
Concluding the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’ (12 of 12)
We've had a week of adventures
but it's good to be home
full of the joy of
the pleasures we've known
We've had seven more days
of summer and sunshine
and although mid-October
the weather's been so kind
We've been swimming in sea
which wasn't that cold
and walking on beaches
so very old
We've been fossil humting
and found some to keep
and every bright morning
have awoken to sheep
We've shared meals we've each cooked
in a farmhouse sublime
in the heart of West Dorset
for a wonderful time
We've seen film sets for winter
and had ice-creams galore
so good was the flavour
we went back for some more
We've eaten chips on the Cob
looking out at the sea
and walked by the river
dogs, children and me
It's been a week of adventures
and we've loved every one
the Crouchers in Dorset
for frolics and fun
On our last day we went back to Lyme
to look for fossils on the beach
heading westward from the town
to one in easy reach
And found them, oh I think we did
some massive ones at that
in boulders far too heavy
to take home and that's a fact
So I built a sculpture with flat stones
I found and balanced there
quite pleased with my achievement
took photographs to share
And the sun as it had been all week
shone down and warmed and beamed
as we sat down and rested
on the sand and looked and dreamed
For this was our swansong glory
so we wanted it to be
quite special to remember
down in Dorset by the sea
So after ice creams on the Cob
as by these words you'll tell
it has been all of that besides
and memorable as well
A fish supper on the Cob
at Lyme Regis evening time
not so many people now
though the weather is still fine
Watched the fishing boats return
with flocks of seagulls there
watching out for morsels
or wayward fishes spare
And then a walk at sunset
along the ancient stone
braced against the cooler winds
before we headed home
A perfect end to perfect day
in Dorset here once more
and still were have a couple left
for adventures still in store
So we all walked back to Charmouth
early morning 'round sunrise
with mist in all the valleys
and a glow atop the rise
Took us about an hour
then we walked right back again
as the sun climbed higher brightly
in the east from whence it came
The splendour nature offered
all around was as a treasure
which all of us admired
good measure for good measure
And with dewdrop diamonds shining
we felt enriched beyond decree
in this really special place
where we wandered peacefully
It was snowing in Lyme Regis
except it wasn't, it was fake
Warner Brothers filming there
a new movie for to make
Willy Wonka 2 so we believe
and they'd made a winter scene
but although they'd finished filming
we could see where they had been
Lyme Regis was as I recalled
quaint and picturesque
fishing boats in the harbour
round the Cob and all the rest
Dairy ice-cream in the sunshine
lovely views along the coast
for another day of holiday
with Dorset playing host
So we wandered down to Charmouth
beside the River Char
bathed in October sunshine
with views spectacular
around about three miles
so it didn't take us long
and it was really rather warm
as the sunshine was quite strong
Charmouth was still sleepy
and just as I remembered
from the many years since I last came
in August and September
A one-horse town, two pubs as well
both of which we sampled
as it would have been quite rude
not to visit for example
Then it was back down to the beach
on this Jurassic coast
for fossil hunting in the sun
we've looked forward to the most
And yes, we really found some
amongst the pebbles everywhere
which we'll take home and treasure
to remember our time there
The view up east to Golden Cap
was magnificent of course
although at this late time of year
it's devoid of yellow gorse
But it's no less quite spectacular
breathtaking there to see
on this our Dorset holiday
where we Crouchers love to be
Walked out for some exploring
early morning of the day
found the Five Bells atop the hill
saw sheep and lambs at play
the sun gleamed on the tower
of the church down in the village
as a big tractor passed me close by
avoiding country spillage
And down beyond the crossroads
found the Charmouth river trail
which I will follow later on
for more adventures to regale
Then it was back for breakfast
Croissants, coffee and some jam
here in our Dorset haven
where on holiday I am
Before the Dorset sun retired
at the end of a fine day
we went for a small wander
down the lanes around this way
At the crossroads we went straight ahead
as it seemed the thing to do
passed by the Crooch Farm courtyard
'neath a cloudless sky of blue
The rays of golden sunshine
glinted precious through the trees
as down the lanes and twittens
we wandered 'neath the leaves
squeezing into hedgerows
as a seldom car went past
this seemed a quaint existence
most refreshing change to fast
And we smiled a knowing smile
at the peace this place exuded
feeling quite at ease opposed
to anything excluded
Far from it, this was home from home
this Dorset countryside
as slow the sun sank in the West
to match our wandering stride
Conclusion fitting both we thought
as in unison we turned
to retrace our evening footsteps
with a new life lesson learned
For here was pure tranquility
with pace so far removed
from that which we had left behind
yet here with pleasure soothed
In Whitchurch Canonicorum
here at Courthouse Farm
we six came for adventure
in a big converted barn
Deep in the Dorset countryside
but not far from the coast
for a week of fun and frolics
of which we'll make the most
There were sheep in the back garden
and cows across the way
to greet us on arrival
when we got here yesterday
And the warm October sunshine
made the day the very best
confirming here the reason
why we came here for a rest
...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...
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