Our alarm rang at 5.20am, sadly
waking me from the best sleep I had had in quite a while. I opened one eye and
muttered that it couldn’t be morning because it was still dark. Maybe I was
bird in another life and only feel fit to wake when dawn makes at least a
little effort to crack just before the dreaded bedside klaxon. The only thing
that saves the clock from an unhappy end is that my husband keeps the noisy
critter on his bedside cabinet distant from any violence from my direction.
We got ourselves down to the sea
front to meet our friends in the swimming pool car park for the planned 6.30am sea
swim, but, I started the ball rolling in the wrong direction by saying that it
was too cold and dreary for me, and that I was going in the pool for my swim.
It was very overcast, and the tide was not fully in so there might be a bit of
wading before you could swim. My excuse was that I was too long in the tooth to
get very cold, mentioning that it was after getting very cold at this time last
year that I ended up with Pneumonia. I don’t want to be pampered but I don’t
want to be just plain old stupid either.
Once the wall of will started to
crumble the rest of the group didn’t take long to do the same as me and slope
into the pool instead. A bit of sunshine might have made all the difference.
Once in our swim lanes we did all get a good work out and were comforted by
that. Steve ( Coach/Husband) had to get off to work to meet a delivery, but
told me to be ready to go out on our bikes a little later in the morning, which
we did, so in the end a useful swim and a bike ride made us feel better about
our training.
For me this is a slightly scary
time of year as gradually the sun moves away and the days become shorter. I do
not enjoy the lack of light in the winter months and I get accused of being a
S.A. D. subject. I have to agree with that I suppose but there are other things
that almost make up for the lengthening on the nights. The night sky is a
wonder that regularly gives me a touch on neck ache and I have learned to stop
and stare rather than bowl on and trip over any hazard available.
I do miss Orion during the summer
time but he, like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s sci-fi character, will be
back, spear poised raging across the sky,
the most noticeable, best known of all the constellations. Then we can look for Sirius the Dog Star
yapping at his master’s feet as they take their long winter journey.
Sweet Sirius
You stop my heart, it skips a beat
You are a star of stars elite
Brilliant, flashing, huge blue star
Clearest, brightest heavenly Tsar
Dominating others less in sight
Admiration doth your flame requite
Peaceful Pursuits
High on the list of things to be done
When not at work, waiting for lunch at one,
Not busy getting meals and slaving all day,
There never is the time to go out and play.
Dream of this then, to calm your self down
Slow your breathing; get rid of the frown.
Walking barefoot on the sand at low tide
Wearing loose clothes, the body sins hide.
Glide into the sparkle at the waters edge
Hoik up you your pants and give this pledge;
I will take time at least once in a while,
To stand alone on the beach and smile.
The next meeting of the Harbour Lights scribblers
group is this coming Sunday
August 26th at 2pm.
If anybody is reading about this for the first time,
please let your curiosity lead you to us. We can be found in the upstairs
meeting room above the Harbour Lights Café at the Look and Sea Centre alongside
the lovely River Arun in Littlehampton. There is a small pay car park behind
the lifeboat station or the town car park is only five minutes walk away.
The café
kindly set iced water and glasses in the room for us or you can buy a pot of
tea or what ever other drink you might
prefer and bring it up on a tray yourself, there is plenty of room.
All are welcome to come in and join us just to
listen and comment if you wish or to bring anything you have written that you
might like to read to the group or indeed if you have a poem that you have heard
on ‘Poetry Please’ or maybe read in a book from the library, please bring it
along.
We are a warm friendly group and will be pleased to
meet any newcomers.
Ring me with any questions:
Mobile: 07990
803274
Email: dafbelt@outlook.com
Daphne Belt
