A poem for the first Somerset and Exmoor Coast Festival

Follow a trail of memories

From one end down to t'other,

I've walked a thousand miles 'long here

Alone, with friends and Mother.



There's Porlock where my wedding car

Was slightly a bit late,

And Minehead where I went to school,

Cross-country, sixth-form, great!



There's Blue Anchor where my Auntie lived

And Old Cleeve where I was born,

There's Watchet where my boyfriends lived

Teenagers so forlorn.



There's Helwell Bay and Doniford

Where we would go to play, 

And St Audries Church, West Quantoxhead

Remembered to this day - 

(Embarrassingly wet myself,

oh dear I hear Mum say).



From West to East, East Quantoxhead

Is where I was brought up,

From one and half to 19 years

It really filled my cup.



My cup it runneth over,

Such joy in these surrounds,

Woodlands, streams and beaches,

With Dad tilling the grounds.



The coastal path to Kilve's much walked

The strata's changed with time,

I've seen many a reflection

In it's rock pools, not just mine.



My daughters love to play here too,

Find creatures and just gaze

Like their Mum, at the tide and sky, 

When their mind's in a daze.



From here it's on to Lilstock

The Quantocks a backdrop view,

Where my memories this past long year

Have been of poets, walking, phew!



Hinkley C now dominates

The next few miles of coast,

My Brother worked there for a while,

Hi Walford - now there's a ghost!



Doddington where my best friend lived,

Shurton, Burton, home to Sis,

(A short while before she moved away

To the Mendips, wedded bliss).



Stogursey next and Steart,

The bird-life hides and storks, 

I love to come here on days off

Be mindful and blog walks.



Bridgwater Bay looms into view

My current home of late,

The Parrett Trail it twists and turns

Just like my life, oh fate!



Highbridge, Burnham, Berrow, Brean

Sandy here at t'other end,

I could watch the seagulls here all day,

Dear Jonathan Livingston, friend.



I hope you've enjoyed this little trip

From there to here and on,

It's been a great adventure

But now I must be gone.



Anon.

- Only kidding, it was me, all along.



A Wensley

24.09.2023