The Beach Goods Shop


The beach goods shop is so much more than buckets and spades
it's childhood memories
go onto one and take a deep breath - that is my childhood
the colours and smells
remember the smell of a new plastic woven wind-break?
It's family trips
it's days out at the beach
summer holidays when the summer weather could be relied upon
sunburn and sandcastles
no such thing 'after sun' in those days
sand in the sandwiches 
Grandad with a knotted hanky on his head
sat in a deckchair
suit trousers and best shoes
shirt and tie in the summer heat 
a stewed cup of tea from a Thermos flask 
and the obligatory holiday snaps - they still get rolled out now
embarrassing us
me wearing a red spotty swimming costume
splashing in the shallows
of course there was the obligatory icecream
proper ice-cream naturally
with a flake in it
and we'd get it all over our faces
and Mum would wipe it off with a damp hanky!
Day done - it was falling asleep in the car on the way home
no car seats in those days
three children all slumped together on the back seat
sunburn was red raw the next morning 
that's how you know you'd had a great day!
All those memories 
from walking into the beach goods shop!
Pop into one the next time you're at the beach
...happy days


Loos

I didn't need the loo
I'd been in the car for half an hour or more and I was fine
at our destination
we parked 
I was fine
I walked to the ticket machine to pay for our space 
and I was fine
We locked up the car and set off
I was fine
we walked
and...
I was fine
...until 
we passed a public toilet 

and I dashed in!

Looking Over You


I know that death will come to me
the faded headstones stand robust 
"your death's a matter of certainty"
say silent voices turned to dust

It comes to all that final gasp 
we all will leave this relm one day
with one last deep and throaty rasp
we each will take our choosen way

no-one died to save my soul 
no deity for me to appease
with prayers and readings, rigmarole
in dusty churches on bended knees

I'll shun the security of a mighty power
the face and hands that once were mine
my flesh; the earth it will devour
but my soul they'll not enshrine

the echoes of all that I've achieved 
my image in hearts and minds will stay
my legacy in those bereaved
remain as I head on my way

I; like all the gold this earth contains
travelled endless time and space 
those ingots, nuggets, dust and grains
that mesmerized the human race

this matter crossed the endless void
across the cold dark waste it came
the big bang formed as it destroyed 
hydrogen and helium, fire and flame

it created us - all matter defined
and I will return to whence I came
so when I die; as all man-kind
my rightful position in space I'll claim 

home the matter that once was me
floating in search; until entwined
in space is where I want to be
until my partner there I find

so if you read this through heavy tears
look up at that star of a golden hue
taking care of all your fears
for I'll be looking over you!







All That Stuff

We grow up and have families
Babies need a lot of stuff!
buggys
changing bags
four hundred nappies
sixteen spare outfits
coats and wellies if it's wet - and all that per child 
all that stuff!
Then you want a dog
so you need to carry the dog 
and all it's stuff
leads 
poo bags 
blankets 
harnesses
water 
water bowls
food 
so you need a huge car to carry it all - all that stuff
And the kids grow up and want bikes
The huge car isn't big enough for all that stuff and their bikes
So you need a van 
or a people carrier even for the simplest of trips
If you are planning a camping trip 
you are going up a league
You'll need extra space for extra stuff
Your van will need a roof box
a bike rack
a trailer - for all that stuff 
when the kids have grown 
so will their bikes
so you'll need a bigger bike rack
and don't mention all the tech which they can't do with out
and of course they'll have to bring a friend with them - of course
with all their stuff
and you still might not have enough space...

Have you got an HGV licence?


Things to do Today

I made a list - "things to do today"
which I contemplated over coffee - but my mind blew away
I was trying to think - serious things
like the cleaning needing doing  - not "cabbages and kings"
the shopping I must do - and my need for food
but my train of thought - became slightly skewed
"What does a Maharajah like for tea
who would pour - him or me?"
If I could have tea with a turtle - there on the sand
we'd talk; I'd ask - what he'd got planned
if I could fly - I'd follow the coast
riding a giant sunflower - the flower I love most
I'd dip my toes into the sea
sat in the shade - the sunflower and me
until the sand; bleary eyed; got up and said  
they'd have to go - it was time for bed
so I'd ride a blue camel - there were plenty there 
I much prefer red ones - but there weren't any spare
we ambled to the sunset - I on his back
'til he said let's stop - I could do with a snack
and as if by magic - on a blanket appeared
a picnic most fine - but something seemed weird
there were sandwiches for the camel - and straw for me
which I thought very odd - and the camel did agree
Then all of a sudden - I remembered my list
Things to do today - things not to be missed

(Haiku)

How very british!
At a country flower sale
and queuing for tea!