Looking back on Twenty Twelve

Tower Bridge from a river boatThe year started very badly, it seemed to me,
when I lost my two dear friends to the great big C.
Our Winter seemed to go on and on forever.
We all thought that our Spring would arrive here never.

But then when finally bulbs burst through from the earth,
Mother Nature took over, blooming for all she was worth.
We could go outside and enjoy every day.
Pretty Spring was here at last, and soon it was May.

Then things changed back again and our weather was wet.
The hosepipe ban in April, we would soon forget.
But Britain was given momentous occasions –
the London Olympics and Jubilee celebrations.

For weeks it seemed we were all in such good spirits
as the Queen, and the Olympic torch drove our streets.
Union Jacks were flying from every landmark,
and we had street parties, or picnics in the park.

We all went around with huge beams on our faces,
for Chelsea Flower Show and the Ascot Races,
and the next good thing was, oh what a big surprise –
our Andy Murray won Wimbledon’s big first prize.

Life couldn’t get better – we had all had a ball
and soon we were enjoying a colourful Fall.
But all good things have to come to an end it seems,
but they will live on in our memories and dreams.

Follow that, Twenty Thirteen! What is there in store?
Then I wonder, do we really want to know any more?
Well, there’ll be a Royal Baby from Kate and Wills,
so we’ll all keep flags flying from our window sills!.

Choughs


Cornwall Sep 07 Lizard 017

Did you know that I am an auntie to some choughs?
They live here at Cornwall’s Lizard, on these bluffs.
Their breeding nests are well guarded both night and day,
just in case marauding egg hunters come that way.
It is good to know that they are back at nightfall
safely nesting, where they belong in old Cornwall.

St Ives – An Artist’s Paradise

 

How many diff’rent shades of blue can one get into a view?
‘An artist’s paradise’ they call it. That’s just so very true.
If I could paint a picture, then I would paint one now for you,
but I guess that my little photo here will just have to do.

St Ives is the place to be whenever you are feeling blue.
There are beaches to die for and ev’ry street affords a view.
There’s gift shops and galleries up little narrow alley ways
and perchance you will find a pleasant place to gawp, gasp and gaze.

Warlocks, Witches and Water

 

We all went to visit Boscastle long before
the devastating floods of two thousand and four.
We walked the dogs in the park, then down the harbour,
and took lots of good photos, like we’d done before.

We clambered over rocks, sat on the landing stage,
then bought souvenirs in the old crooked cottage.
We went in the museum, then had a cream tea
and bought mugs and jugs in Boscastle pottery.

The unique smell of Boscastle gets in your nose.
Aromas of woodsmoke, lavender and musk rose.
There’s a spooky feel of magic and mystery
and a feeling you’re drawn into its history.

How dreadful to hear about the terrible flood,
with cars swept from the car park, and lost in the mud,
with the old crooked cottage and bridge washed away
by the raging river that awful August day.
Let us give thanks that there were no human lives lost.
But what a loss for the villagers! What a cost!

But we’ve been back since and they’ve all pulled together,
Redesigned the car park to withstand the weather,
Rebuilt the cottage, but a little bit straighter,
It looks pretty new now but will improve later.
One wonders now whether the warlocks and witches
are still around there, or have drowned in the ditches!

 The Harbour Light before the floods The Harbour Lights rebui

The London Inn, Padstow

 

Oh to have these pretty pictures framed and hung upon my wall,
they bring back such pleasant memories that seem to say it all.
But I’ve lost the better photos that my lovely daughter took
and all that I have got left now are these prints that do not look
like they will last much longer before the vibrant colour fades,
and they will lose all their bright detail and their beautiful shades!
I am sitting here now at my desk, crying into my cup
so I think I’d better go away and do the washing up!

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North Devon

 

Lynmouth

LynmouthLynmouth’s a place you might like to stop at on the way home from Cornwall,
to buy some nice holiday presents to take home in case you’ve forgotten them all.

But it’s also such a magical place, you’ll just have to see it again,
but leave enough time for you to go for a ride on the funicular train,
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