What a Difference a Day Makes

                                                       Photo by Jacqueline Rackham 

 

Today was a special day in number of ways. Firstly although it was bitter cold first thing, there was a deep blue sky and when we started our run the sun was very low and blindingly bright, casting long tree shadows that crossed the whole field beside us as we began our run. I wore my prescription sun glasses as protection from the cold as much as the sunlight but none the less tears rolled down my cheeks in the chill.

We had chosen to make our first attempt at10km since the chest infection that knocked me out of action for the whole of September and October. It has been a slow comeback but then as everybody knows, I am not twenty one any more. Recovery is a slower game as one gets older. Slower, but not impossible.

My swim has come back nicely, the first of my sports three disciplines. For a time I understandably had my doubts about whether or not I would be able to find anything like my normal triathlon form.  Biking has been done bit by bit on the turbo and last Sunday I took part in the first group session with Steve, (husband, coach, best friend) and the usual suspects at the fire station. Big screen, music, rising temperature and a bit of jolly banter.

Completing the three discipline comeback to near normal has put a big smile back on my face and the warmth of happiness in my heart. Completing our usual 10km route backwards was Steve’s last minute idea, the logic being that if we did it that way round it was harder to cut it short if it was less than enjoyable. However it was a most enjoyable session, the time was slow but the distance was achieved.

We have already entered three events for 2018 and about to commit to a couple more, so although my determination hit a few wobbly spots along the way the path is getting more clear with every passing day.

Bumping into a group of friends from Tuff Fitty triathlon club coming the other way was an added bonus.

The wildlife count was pretty good too, Kites, Buzzards, Wagtails, a Robin and a Kestrel. No deer.  Down side was the sound of a full scale shoot going on and the vans full of beaters set to send the birds to slaughter. The thousands of pheasants are bred in cages and tipped out to amuse rich folk. 

Yellowhammer

Roughly where abouts you live              

Popping up to say a bright hello               

As walkers pass right by your home          

Unaware of the pleasure you give            

Flitting about the wide hedgerow             

Prejudice is not found in your nature    

First with other birds to appease             

Joining flocks of bunting or finch          

Singing out to other tiny creature                         

‘Little bit of bread and no cheese’         

Though no bigger than a sparrow        

Yet far more beautiful to the eye          

Head and body a brilliant yellow          

Cleft tail tipped white so narrow           

Darting suddenly into bluest sky          

Gleaning specks of seed and grain            

Daintily thru’ the hedge you squeeze       

Playing hide and seek with friends            

Dark streaking on proud breast so vain        

Sing ‘A little bit of bread and no cheese’ 

    

The next writers meeting at the Harbour Lights Café

will be December 10^th at 2pm

Everybody welcome readers, writers or listeners.

Poetry at Harbour Lights Cafe

 

  This great poster created by my daughter. www.jacquelinerackhamphotography.com

Poetry at Harbour Lights Café

Remembrance Sunday November 12^th was also the day we held the second meeting of our new writing group and it went very nicely  Steve and I thought.

We had some very positive feedback and most people said that they would come again the next time we met, at the Harbour Lights Café by the lovely River Arun in Littlehampton.

Next few dates that are already booked with HLC for your diaries are:

December 10^th

January 21^st

February 25^th

March 25^th

Same time 2pm.

Same place, the meeting room above the Harbour Lights Café.

Once more there were a few new people who came along, some to read and some just to enjoy the afternoon with other poetry and reading/writing lovers.

Just to remind you all that if you would like me post one of your poems on this page, I am only too happy to do so.

Please email me on dafbelt@outlook.com

This here below, is one of mine after my run along the Monarchs Way in Angmering Park Estate this morning with Steve.

 Photo of Angmering Park also by Jacqueline Rackham

Same Time Same Place

Passing through the woods

is something of a ritual,

nearly every Sunday could

see us there, my best pal

and me.

My husband has many hats

He is also my work partner,

my triathlon coach too that’s

as well as best friend

you see.

Not the only folk in the wood

and I find it a little odd,

so remote a spot we could

we see the same people

not just trees.

A couple of dog-walk providers

go there at that very time,

and groups of horsey riders

chatting to each other

long reins free.

One man says “Good Day”

very firm, clear and loud

an actor’s resonance I’d say

long striding brisk walker

brisk is he.

Strings of classy race horses,

riders wearing silky hats

pom-poms for race courses

just a job to them to hack

so leisurely.

There is a little dip to where

one path crosses another

same man every week there

his way back and on my way

route free.

In many different places,

a strawberry roan comes by

we know each others faces,

irregular rider passes

so friendly.

Somewhere well out of town

so several miles from roads

variety should there abound,

same time same place for all

You see.

Poetry at the Harbour Lights Café

Photos of the river shown today were taken by my daughter Jacqueline Rackham.

The  second meeting of poetry scribblers who hang out under their new name  of Harbour Lights Poets will gather  next weekend on Remembrance Sunday November 12^th at 2pm in the meeting room of the Look and Sea Visitor Centre on the floor above the Harbour Lights Café , overlooking the almost spiritually beautiful River Arun half a mile from where it meets the sea in Littlehampton.

Meanwhile, since nobody else has sent me any of their own writing I have filled the space with two of my own meanderings.

The Egyptian Escalator

When I go to Harrods store

the escalator will to me call

and I do not know why for.

It gives me pleasure.

Fabulously extravagant décor

Egyptian splendored hall

ostentatious to the chore.

A feel-good treasure.

The filthy rich this store explore

but I’m held in its thrall

so many visits I’ve lost score.

It has my measure.

As I glide from floor to floor

a balcony singer in a shawl

whose hands reach to implore.

It gives real pleasure.

Up to the top and down to the door

past sphinx masks, Egyptian scrawl

hold court whilst I just adore.

My feel-good treasure.

Hieroglyphics symbols more

slowly once again I crawl,

built to decorate and restore.

Fools false treasure

An owner’s origin and lust for more

Egyptian symbols and columns tall

all wrong reasons I am sure.

Pleasure, measures pleasure.

It holds a magic for rich and poor

in atmospheric bondage I fall

as shoppers to the top all pour.

It has my measure

and gives me pleasure,

my secret treasure.

 

 The World and His Horse

The world and his horse were out today

equestrians tacked up on trusty steed,

out in the woods or on the hilltop way

groomed ready to grasp a ride with greed.

Most woodland outings one see’s a few

All winter fine horses still needs a trot,

today so many groups four or three or two

so starved of fine days that nature forgot.

What more pleasing sight can there be,

than the most perfectly turned out horse.

What more of animal perfection can one see?

out for a hack through the trees and gorse.