The Inkwell#writephoto #retreat
Sometimes, there’s a need to
just get away from the hustle and bustle
of the big city.
Find somewhere
quiet and out of the way
and relax
where the air is fresh
the grass is green
and you’re free – from pressures of life
enjoying the peace
and the fresh air
and maybe a tasty bite or two
Watching the wildlife
taking a dip
before taking a dip, yourself
#socs #pin
Someone once told me – you never really leave the scouts
In a sense – i guess they were right.
Why? i hear you ask – because of some little things picked up along the way
back when i was a cub scout (yeah! i am that old) when we went on expeditions or on camps, we’d try and pick up a patch for our camp blankets – which kept us warm on cold nights and some of us turned into ponchos for night time around the camp
I collected plenty of these badges – and still have them in the house in a box – as a reminder of the places i’ve been
Yorkshire Dales, Edinburgh, Peak District, Lake District, Cheshire, Lancashire….
But i guess fashions change….and around the time when Manchester hosted the Commonwealth Games, the cloth patches turned a little more smaller and a little more harder….and a little more metallic.
There were Pin badges with the Manchester logo on them , 18 Sports pins covering the various sports events, country pins and team pins for the staff
And after the games had finished, places of interest took up the mantle as well as other sporting events.
Turn the lock forward to 2012 – and i’m finding myself at Old Trafford and the Pins are back
Reminders of places visited, Events volunteeered at and things achieved
They even introduced them at the Imperial War Museum – for years of service
#fowc #finesse
There was some artistry
in the way the embroiderer
had set the scene on the patch
a celebration of outdoor activity
life under canvas for
over one hundred years
colours distinct – to stand out from the crowd
and if the needlework on the edge
wasn’t noticed
the bit in the middle would be
#Scouts #Cubs #Beavers #Supper
The ingredients were simple enough,
Taters in the embers of some dying beechwood
Corned beef, Some Carrots and a very big onion
Butter for frying, and some stock cubes for flavour
The Metallic billy can protected by the finest washing liquid
as flames licked the sides of the can
As the potatoes softened, the onions went see-through
hiding amongst the beef
and as the bubbles rose bringing the feast together
chef prepared his serving spoons – as it was served in tin mugs
in the other can ? usually tea but not that night
as chocolate buns were served for afters – with hot cocoa.
Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Ventures all headed for bed after Campfire – with Smiles on their faces.
They said “Ban Soap at Camp”….but this rule didn’t apply to the cookware….as the recepticles enjoyed a dip in the bubbliest of alfresco baths and a scrub getting rid of charcoaled washing liquid
#fowc #Gliding
The crew waited for that moment
the moment that was perfect
the moment to change direction
No Salty Afternoon Washes
No Swabbing the decks of Seawater
No trouble from the turning wind
Simply moving through the water
Simply cutting past the breakers
Simply Gliding through the sea
#writephoto #storm
#beyondthestorm #writephoto
Something told you it wasn’t going to be a
Terrific idea to venture onto the hills today, but
Of course you were out voted – as you and your pals
Rambled up the public footpath, seeking out paradise –
Maybe you could discuss what you found in that shelter – Atop the hill
#SoCs #Holidays
Packing our bags again
as we head off for a country break
camping under some national park stars
key to this essential journey – notepad, camera and pencils
if needed – wellies and wet weather gear
navigation and maps essential for hiking and
good sleeping bag for kipping under canvas
#OctPoWriMo
6th October 2018
You’ve been trying to climb that hill for a while now
facing off against its challenges
its crags, sharp sides and slippy hand holds
not to mention the wet slate underneath
dark purples your pals as you rose
overcoming every obstacle in your way
take in the rewards at the top
the view of the blue sky – its lovely.
#365daysofwriting #Backtoschool
Salford 25th July 2018
If i could go back to school, to master a subject – i reckon it would be Geography i’d do
Not English or History (even though i’ve got an interest in those subjects) – Geography.
You see, even though i’ve made my way through the toughest routefinder map, i still have my doubts how all those lines determine height and depth. It would interest me no end on how those maps of mine translate to modern day life.
It might also fill an hour (or two) of my day. with some unofficial field trips to the pennines and lake district 🙂
the triangle a simple one
heat air and fuel
started by a little spark
amongst the smallest of shavings
Little flame eating
everything around it
kept at bay
by logs and bricks
Starting off slowly
the flames begin to grow
dining on everything near it
apart from the Billy can above
bread on a green stick
changes with the dancing flames
from dough to delight in seconds
with help from the makeshift grill
smells of the barbecue
rise in the air
as backwoods sausages
add fuel to the flames
light and warmth
dancing slowly in the moonlight
till all that are left
are the glowing impish coals
staff of life
the end of life
for the fire that maintained life
Round the campfire circle
The Inkwell