Walking

Seven Sisters, South Downs Way
high up on Short Brow
looking back to Cuckmere Haven
the sun before me now
Perfect walks were made for this 
and breathing deep the air
I laughed aloud with thankfulness
for simply being there

©Jemverse

Photo – the view of the Cuckmere Haven river valley from the top of Short Brow, Seven Sisters, South Downs Way, Sussex – Jempics

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This Sussex I admire

Ah, these temperate moments
when, up on the South Downs Way
I look up to the paths I've trod
on a fine autumnal day

Yes, the warmth of ambiance that
summer brings may just
have passed its swansong now
to the fading days in trust

But a vestige of its spirit clings
and sets my soul on fire
full of the joy this vista gives
this Sussex I admire

©Jemverse

Photo – the start of the ‘Seven Sisters’ from Cuckmere Haven beach, East Sussex – Jempics

Walking Days

Around about this time of year
in ones now in the past
my mind has turned to walking
with my brother for a blast
Together we have wandered
many miles o'er many hills
mostly here in Sussex
with the pleasure all that fills

And there will be a time again
when we venture out once more
to follow paths we know so well
and have traversed before
My heart is there a-hankering
for those happy days again
when I can go out walking
with my brother and my friend

But I'm also quite content to wait
until it's safe and free
when we can walk with confidence
my brother Dave and me
And that will be very special
something to look forward to
Once more out there walking
doing what we love to do

 

©Jemverse

Photo – Jem and Dave Croucher on the South Downs Way, Sussex, UK

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

Two Rings

Two rings on the final day
Familiarity
A walk which we have made our own
my brother Dave and me
A circle of eight miles
chalky trails beneath our feet
The sunshine smiling once again
to make the week complete

Starting down at Cisbury
then climbing through the fields
Up to Chanctonbury Ring and
views of Sussex Weald
It’s been a week of calm and joy
up on the South Downs Way
A brother’s walk together
on day by perfect day

©Jemverse

Every year in May, my brother Dave and I go for a week-long walk. We’ve been elsewhere but most times, the draw of the wonderful South Downs Way – out there on our doorstep – keeps us close to home. Day 5 took us back to a circular walk we developed ourselves. Called  ‘The Two Rings Circle’, it takes in both Cisbury and Chanctonbury Rings in Sussex.

Beacon

The day was full of sunshine
as we headed out, day three
of our walks on hills of Sussex
my brother Dave and me
This time to Ditchling Beacon
climbing chalky paths and hill
then into shady valleys
where the air was calm and still
The green of Sussex countryside
just took our breath away
and contributed to bring about
another lovely day.

©Jemverse

Every year in May, my brother Dave and I go for a week-long walk. We’ve been elsewhere but most times, the draw of the wonderful South Downs Way – out there on our doorstep – keeps us close to home. Day 4 took us just over 18 miles from Rodmell to Ditchling Beacon (and then down into Stanmer Woods).

Rodmell

We climbed up to Firle Beacon
(It was really windy there)
and its wasn’t from the beans we’d had
for breakfast, to be fair!
The views across fair Sussex
were magnificent to see
on this second day of walking
for my brother Dave and me
And then downhill to Rodmell
in the valley of the Ouse
for well earned respite at the pub
followed by a snooze

©Jemverse

Every year in May, my brother Dave and I go for a week-long walk. We’ve been elsewhere but most times, the draw of the wonderful South Downs Way – out there on our doorstep – keeps us close to home. Day 3 took us 14 miles from Alfriston to Rodmell.

Alfriston

We traversed Seven Sisters
high cliffs above the sea
Clear blues skies and sunshine
my brother Dave and me
There were lots of foreign students
around the tourist traps
but we left them all behind us
as we walked on, us two chaps

Down to Cuckmere Haven
a picture postcard made
then into Friston Forest
‘neath the trees and in the shade
And finally to Alfriston
(It’s good to be back here)
Shed the packs and to the pub
for a very welcome beer

©Jemverse

Every year in May, my brother Dave and I go for a week-long walk. We’ve been elsewhere but most times, the draw of the wonderful South Downs Way – out there on our doorstep – keeps us close to home. Day 2 took us 13 miles from Eastbourne to Alfriston.

Eastbourne

Woke up to a morning
with zero chance of rain
Another perfect day
for our walkings once again
Starting here in Eastbourne
with the sun on deep blue sea
the day is full of promise
for my brother, Dave and me
Fourteen miles, the Seven Sisters
over cliffs, the country park
Heading down to Alfriston
where we’ll be before it’s dark

©Jemverse

Every year in May, my brother Dave and I go for a week-long walk. We’ve been elsewhere but most times, the draw of the wonderful South Downs Way – out there on our doorstep – keeps us close to home. This year we started from Eastbourne.

The South Downs Way

To the South Downs Way
the brothers return again
retreading their steps

©Jemverse

Every year, at the beginning of May, my younger brother and I go for a week’s walk somewhere. We’ve been elsewhere but, as a large part of both of our hearts is embedded in Sussex where we live, the 100 mile South Downs Way has a special attraction for us. Today marks the start of the third time for us.