• January Road Trip (XXVIII)

    Gradual return Known places, faces, routines Landing gear engaged . n.b. Runway lights in view. Lining up the nose, entering the approach path. Tray in upright position, seatbelt on. Hoping for a smooth landing back in reality. . CLP 29/01/2020

  • January Road Trip (XXIV)

    Mooring bollards wait As tides, seasons, decades pass Hope for ships’ return . n.b. Glasgow’s quayside has been almost totally cleared. What next? The rusting bollards, like mariners’ widows in denial, still wait by the dock scanning the horizon for signs of home-coming sails. . CLP 27/01/2020

  • January Road Trip (XX)

    Football day at last! Weather is what is on now Heavy rain, cold wind . n.b. January? Road trip?? Scotland??? Ye crazy bastards! The game kicks off at 12:30h. It’s on TV. We’re going to the match. Life is out there. . CLP 26/01/2020

  • January Road Trip (XIX)

    Not many years past Since traders relied on boats Jim called them rockhoppers . n.b. Jimmy Smith, my shipmate during my time working on cross-Channel ferries in 1980, spent some years as a cook on a boat, not unlike the ‘Vital Spark’, travelling from harbour to harbour around the north of Britain. The cargo changed

  • On the Bed

    After discussions About who steals the duvet Culprit established . n.b. In bed alone and the duvet battles continue. This leaves only one possible conclusion. Even Inspector Clouseau would solve this case. CLP 25/01/2020

  • Going Viral

    Aircraft travel fast Take us far off, bring us home With our souvenirs . CLP 25/01/2020

  • On Revenge

    Two weeks fierce work Cutting back hawthorn, blackthorn Months pulling splinters . n.b. Face, head, neck, hands, arms, shoulder, thighs, knees…splinters! How I envy the robins jumping easily between the spikes of these vicious plants whilst picking up tasty morsels and singing. CLP 22/01/2020 .

  • Sky High

    Medical cocktail Pain killers, muscle relaxants Highly commended . n.b. For some the only way to be able to manage long-haul flying. CLP 21/01/2020

  • Out There

    Uncertain walkers Stumble upon lies and truths Almost without fail . CLP 19/01/20/20

  • Self Righting

    Squall whisks waves abeam Giddy instability Queasy buoyancy . CLP 19/01/2020