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

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

Probably should

Probably should go walking
but my legs feel hollow still
almost as if they're not quite there
a vestige from the 'ill'
To be honest it is grey out there
but Shoreham beckons me
so I'll follow best foot forward
and see what I will see
Besides I can still rest when I
return home later on
'cos fresh air is what I need to prove
the 'illing' here is done

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Wolfgang and I

The Wolf and I we went for a walk
down by the river and more
and he wagged his tail and pricked up his ears
at most everything that he saw
We walked down the towpath and looked at the planes
in the airport nearby
and as we walked home his tail wagged again
as some of them took to the sky
Later on, on the sofa, we both settled down
as upside down, legs a-kimbo he lay
and I watched a movie and tickled his ears
with thanks for this lovely day

©Jemverse

Photo – Wolfgang and I – Jempics

Wolfgang is my middle daughter and her partners’ Patterdale Terrier.