959

When Sally went to Westgate as a child

Her family took delight in getting lost.

Setting out each evening - as the mild

Mid-summer air cooled and the host

Of day trippers disappeared - they

Would search the lanes and byways, putting trust

In providence to find a different way

To an undiscovered pub before the dusk.

Today, we walked for further than we'd intended

As far as The Dog & Duck at Pluck's Gutter

But, lunching in the garden, all was mended,

For to be honest, it really didn't matter

That one of us had misread the map

Especially now there's Shepherd Neame on tap.

Dr Brian Hick summer 2011

©copyright Sally Hick 12.7.23

 956

Saxon Shore Way 1

The maps are checked; the rooms booked for the night;

The route is clear; the weather whould be bright;

Emails arrive confirming all is well,

And we are ready - as far as we can tell.

And yet, I need to quieten the tide

Of thoughts that could so easily collide

With all I hope these walking hours might be-

A chance to concentrate and maybe see

Beyond the working problems and the net

Of memories, which I could shed, and yet

Which cling as if my life might not exist

Without their presence lurking in the mist.

          Will the Saxon Shore's elusive mystery

          Be enough to turn this tide for me?

Brian Hick summer 2011

©copyright Sally Hick 5.7.23