TAKE YOUR PICK!
H O M E O R A W A Y ?
Blackpool Beach or Pafos Town?
Neither venue raise a frown?
"Harry Ramsden's"... "Ocean B" (Ocean Basket")
High atop the "Foodie-Tree"!
Wandering, Fairhaven Lake
Blunt-nosed viper, dodgy snake?
In the garden.. greedy gulls
Pafos sky that never dulls?
Walking through a famous gorge (Avagas)
With a friend, his name is George (Mr. Bates)
Blackpool prom' or Latchi Bay?
Both for "Happy Holiday"?
Famous Tower or Faros Light'? (Pafos lighthouse)
Both we rate a wondrous sight
Amargeti, Stanley Park
Rising early with the lark!
Friendly walkers, donkey trail
"Golden Mile" can never fail!
"Kiss-me-Quick" or walking hat?
Monast'ry to feed a cat?
Strolling on the Central Pier
Moufflon or a passing deer?
Buzzards soaring, magpies "chat"
Tommy Cooper.... "Just like that"! (Ray K')
Lytham walking, Riccos Beach
Stick of rock or juicy peach?
Cloudy skies or days of sun?
Warmer days are much more fun!
Pitta bread, Halloumi cheese?
Fish and chips with mushy peas?
Status wine or Boddy's ales? (Boddington's)
Cooling Leon, never fails!!
Droushia for a hilly walk
Staining, ambling, left the fork
Laona for some tasty fish (Ktima)
"Castle Gardens", really swish! (Carleton)
Dear "Stage One", it's panto time
Famous Grand, a play 'bout crime
Mozart, watching from above? (Grand's ceiling)
Both these theatres we all love!
Blackpool, Pafos... "Take Your Pick"
"Big One", moving really quick! (Rollercoaster)
Harbour view to calm my soul
'Live in both would be my goal.. Amen! Updated from 2018 xxxx
CYPRUS MUSINGS!
A C Y P R U S D R E A M ?
Cyprus, but will we be going?
Virus fiend is to-and-froing
Spend two weeks all on our own?
Listen to these walkers groan!
Sharon, we're from distance waving
All our hugs for two weeks saving!
Locked up in a town-house "cell"
This will really "ring our bell"?
Better than in England staying?
For a little peace we're praying
Leaving many numpties there
Bringing with us... Rufus Bear! (All bow!)
Amargeti, are we walking?
"Spring of Life", with "distant talking"?
On my phone across the road
This, of course, The Covine Code!
Harbour walk, a lighthouse viewing
All those friendships we're "eschewing"!
Jo and Rod, we'll see you soon
Conversation is a boon!
Out at sea, our boat is rocking
At the harbour soon we're docking
Isolating in the sea
Hear the fishes... "He! He! He!"
Helicopter, walkers waving
As for me, my brain is raving
Watching Droushia from the air
Lots of time to snore and stare?
Cyprus, problems we are ending
No, the rules we are NOT bending!
Walking 'round in 'plastic bag
And I've also got a gag! "Yiamas!" 14/10/2020 xx
C Y P R U S W A L K I N G !
R E C C E - T I M E
Ann and Steve, great walks they're planning
'Rather hot, their faces fanning!
Recce-Time, it's early too
Walkers, 'guess that's what they do?
Search for shade, they're Anadiou-ing
Leaders know just what they're doing
Lovely view to "Kanna" dam (Kannaviou)
Once so loved by Steve and Pam! (Metcalf)
Kathikas, great place for hiking
Tony Rafe prefers his biking
Petradaki for a drink
Leon, please, before you blink!
Recces were our greatest pleasure
Finding tracks and, at our leisure
Amargeti, donkey track
Rufus, sleeping in my 'sack!
"Where to next, try Fyti, Koili?"
'Like it when it's really hilly?
Walker by the name of Ray
"Like your "ditties, come what may!" (A fan?)
"Keep your distance.. How's this working?"
English walkers... Covid lurking?
'Must admit, these days I miss
Blow Dear Cyprus warmest kiss!
"Olive Tree", when hike is over
Luxury... We're all in clover!
Keo for walk-leader Steve
In the power of walks believe!
Ann and Steve, 'guess you we're thanking
Always on a great day 'banking!
'Hope to see you late this year
Order, please, my Leon Beer! 14/09/202o.
For the dynamic Etheringtons! xxxx
CYPRUS LIFE
"H A L L O, F R A U W I F E Y!"
Dear Mrs. Wifey, waving Lania-way
Proud cam'ra clicking, capturing the view
The Troodos beckon on this sunny day
With Andrew there, the problems must be few?
'Don't need a drink, soak in the calming air?
Small birds are chirping, flower pots abound
The locals have their coffee, sit and stare
A kitten scurries past on open ground
Another walk, the camera is back
The slope is steep, it's timeless, nice and slow
Fine donkey grazing, grapes are in a sack
Myself convinced, this is the place to go!
Taverna beckons, small libation waits?
And Hubby smiles, so dreadful are your fates! Amen, Andrew!
23/08/2020. "Sonnet-form". xxxx
A C Y P R U S P R A Y E R
A N T I C I P A T I O N
We're missing you, yet, 'hearts are full of joy
Another visit, 'hope, December time?
A thrill inside for entry "girl and boy" (We are youthful!!)
'View Pinkie's Island, just to aid my rhyme!
Dear Dora, George, you're sending photos... Smile!
From Kouklia to Omodos, let's walk!
"The Spring of Life" is worth that extra "mile"
Inspiring, when I think of happy talk! (Taverna chat)
Our plane is landing, Mandria awaits
The hire car's purring, Pafos lies ahead
"A Walking Programme".... Horrible our fates?
We know, of course, we are for hiking bred!
A peaceful prayer, Stay Safe!, we're coming soon
Large Leon in my hand 'neath Pafos moon! Amen: 21/08/2020 xx
C Y P R U S A H O Y !
T H E M A G I C S H E D
Bernard has a brand-new shed
Inside too.... a cosy bed!
Cushions for Dear Marcus too
'Guess our B' has problems few?
'Got a smile upon his face
Life-Newcastle... really ace?....
Rather have a Pafos shore?
'Missing Cyprus more and more!
"Have a word with Rufus, please!"
'Get you thereit's not a wheeze!
"Marguerite, Get in the shed!"
Magic here, I'm told, is bred!
Suitcase and both passports.. Check!
Covid-tested, Bloody Eck!
Marcus says he's flying too
B.T., Rufus, they're the crew!
'Can't believe it , shed does rise....
Up into the North Sea skies
Destination?... Hill Top G'
Rufus giggles: "He! He! He!"
Soaring high, the Alps soon cross
We can see: "Marcus, the boss!"
Over Greece, the Med' so blue
Chuckles from the "Sheddy Crew"
Slow descending, Venus Beach
"Paradise is within reach!"
Landing safe by Hill Top pool
B' leaps in, he is no fool! (32C!)
Shed is smiling in the sun
"Pafos garden, far more fun!"
Marcus yawns and biscuits eats
Cyprus land of many treats... Enjoy your stay! 19/08/2020 xx
S T A G E O N E
M E M O R I E S N E V E R F A D E !
A voice is calling from the Emba Stage
An army uniform, I start to smile
Some years have passed, I'm turning o'er life's page
My thoughts are with you, Les, just for a while
We think of Linda, waiting in the wings (Darling wife)
A fine performance, though exhausted 'feel!
"We're kidding, Mister Hitler", voice it sings
I smile from 'keyboard, Jonesey my soul heal'
Fine actor, friend, husband and father proud
In Chlorakas, you rest with Linda near
'Salute to all, atop a passing cloud
Mere thought of you, my heart begins to cheer!
We miss you, Les', our lives you so enhance'
"The Brightest Side of Life", Let's sing and dance!
Updated from May 2012 xxxx
T R A V E L P L A N S !
P I N K I E A H O Y !
Travel planning
Covid "banning"!
No, not this time "Isle-of-Man-ing"!
'Got our eyes on Cyprus trip
As I at my Whisky sip!
Peyia Pinkie!
Tinky-Winky
"Glass 'white wine, what do you thinkie?"
Pete is glad the footie's back
Keo beers, there is no lack!
Drinks or walking?
Happy talking
Left at Faros lighthouse forking
,Got a town house for four weeks
There's a glow in Pinkie's cheeks! (Really?)
Airport leaving
Pass receiving
In the power of sun believing
Driving close to Riccos Beach
Paradise is within reach!
Rufus smiling
All this 'filing
Presence is, of course, beguiling!!
Lots of trips to Troodos heights
Fav'rite though.. fine Peyia "sites"!
In December
Please remember...
Leons for this HW-member (Wanderers)
Best behaviour please out there
Orders from Dear Rufus Bear!
Pool inviting
Poet writing
Virgil though he's not reciting!
"See you soon, don't go away
We enjoy a Peyia Day!" 12/08/2020 xx
S H O P P I N G ?
C Y P R U S W I N S !
"Click-collecting" (Monday)
I'm defecting
Asda statues I'm erecting (Really?)
Rather shop in Jumbo Store?
Pafos 'missing more and more!
Boris hearing
Many jeering!
As for me, I'm Leon-beering (Not Whisky?)
Sick of waffle, taking off
Hat at Blackpool I do doff!
Pafos landing
Docs I'm handing (Tested?)
Custom check, not too demanding
Car is waiting, sky is blue
England doesn't have a clue!
Welcome friendly
Far from Hendley!
'Guess our car is not a Bentley?
Tombs of Kings, arriving soon
Underneath a Pafos moon
Peyia walking
Laughs and talking
At a sofa left we're forking!
Reservoir to please the eye
I release a massive sigh!
Tavern' 'stopping
Corks are popping
"Seventy", I'm "table-hopping"! (Hardly)
'Guess December soon is here?
And I'm grinning ear-to-ear!
Randles thanking (Pafos Rentals)
Cheque he's banking
Town-house we think is high-ranking!
'Cannot wait, and Bernard's there (And Marguerite)
And we're bringing Rufus Bear! 10/08/2020 xxxx
N E V E R G R U M P Y ?
G R O W S O M E W I N G S !
Feeling really.... very grumpy
Path not smooth, the way is lumpy
'Wonder if it's Covid's cause?
Time to take a "barmy pause"!
Hospital, outside girl's smoking
On her crutches, almost choking
And she too is very fat
"Gosh, you are a silly bat!"
On a cloud, I'm slowly rising
Vulture soars, he's me advising:
"Grow some wings and fly away
Life in England doesn't pay!"
Channel view, Calais I'm viewing
Lots of manic cars are queueing
Tour Eifel, I stop to rest
"Grand Cognac!", by far the best!
Wobbly flight, fine Cognac's "working"
Stress has gone, large eagle's lurking
Seeking refuge....Avignon
"Sur Le Pont", it is my song!
Soaring high, Les Alpes o'erflying
'Least up here, no seagulls crying!
Mind now clear, the Med' below
On a sled, Rufus in tow! (Who else?)
Eastern Med', Mandria landing
Rufus, me a Leon handing
Cognac mixed with lots of beer
Head now feeling rather queer!
Vardas Beach, no longer grumpy
Calm my mind, no more is lumpy!
Antidote to Covid strife?
Cuddle time with darling wife! Updated: 05/08/2020
For My Grumpy / Heinz! xxxx
A NATIONAL TREASURE
T W E E D I E ' S
If you're feeling really blue
'Heart is broken, shed a tear
Here is what you ought to do...
Tweedie's, problems disappear!
Friendly village, smiling face'
Fine Kissonerga, no stress
Life just at a gentler pace
'Has a great appeal, 'confess!
Friendly welcome..."Come inside!"
"Want your usual?", asks Hil'
Statos, served with honest pride (Red)
Cheap enough to have our fill!
Menu... soon we salivate
Craig has waved his magic wand (Star chef)
Creamy seafood... dreadful fate?
Of his gnocchi...'really fond!
Place uplifting, always full
Sipping at a fruity wine
Visits here are never dull
Goat's cheese tart is so divine!
Looking at those gourmet "words"
On the wall: "Let's live to eat!"
Outside, swallows, happy birds
Temple of all food's elite!
Friends are happy, spoilt for choice
Opting for delicious fish
Atmosphere, hear happy voice'
Gilt-head bream, a special dish
"Lamb to die for!", Alan says
Haddock, smoked, with leek and cheese
Brightens up our Cyprus days
'Feeling totally at ease!
Finest food on Cyprus isle
Always leave with smiling face
Dining here in regal style
Tweedie's is our fav'rite place Updated from 2012 xxxx
"CHAPEAUX BAS!"
C Y C L I N G, P L E A S E !
Tony Rafe: "What are you doing?"
Thoughts of walking you're eschewing
Racing 'round upon your bike
Locals saying: "What y'er like?"
Peyia 'starting, Pinkie waving (Dear Margaret)
She is not 'bout biking raving
Rather have taverna view?
Problems there are really view!
Helmet on, so slim the figure
'Challenge hills with lots of vigour
August for Le Tour de France?
All our lives this race enhance'!
Geraint Thomas, Bradley Wiggins?
Far too slim for Chrissie Biggins?
Racing fast along the lanes
Soon removes all aches and pains?
Eddy Merckx or "Indurain-ing"?
Rarely cycles when it's raining!
Thirty C' is rather hot
Is he worried?, no he's not!
Comfort Break, he's water drinking
Not of Keo Beer he's thinking
Sev'ral beers when he gets back?
Energy he has no lack!
Turning back, He's Drousia leaving
In the power of bikes believing
Is Patricia making lunch?
Rather have a tasty brunch?
Tony Rafe, a jersey wearing
Is it yellow?, folks are staring!
Famous athlete, Number One
Biking daily in the sun. 28/07/2020 xxxx
HAPPY WANDERING! (POEM 100)
T H O S E M A N I C W A L K E R S !
Maniacs, they're "power-walking"
"Ain't got time for idle talking!"
Steaming up the steepest slope
For this "poet"... not much hope?
"Don't have time for eat-or-drinking"
Pretty boring, I am thinking!
Time to stop, enjoy the view?
Stopping places?...really few! (None!)
Friend he says: "Dear Nature calling!"
To the rear he's quietly falling
"Quick!", "appointment" with a bush
"Come on, Tony... Time to rush!"
Twenty K' in three short hours
Draining are my walking "powers"!
Aching knees, my legs soon sore
"Loving "racing" more and more!!"
Jays are flying: "Like to stop, guys?" (My suggestion)
"Keep it going!", hearing loud sighs
Shooting from a "hunting twit"
"This, I do not like one bit!"
"Comfort Stop", but no one's waiting
"Just be quick!", there's no debating
Group goes left, straight on for me
"Am I lost, or am I free?"
Georgie Bates detects an error
'Tiring of this "Manic Terror"
'Slowly find our long way back?
"Give these maniacs the sack!"
Monday's now are for exploring
Manic walks I am deploring
Koili Hill, enjoy the view
Problems now are really few! For Tony Rafe, from 2018 xx
We called our new group: "The Monday Sensibles" xx
A WALKING HEAVEN! (Sonnet)
C Y P R U S W A L K I N G
I am the kind of guy who likes to walk
The countryside before me, hill and dale
In Amargeti, Tsada, maybe York?
But rain-free days, 'not keen on storm and gale! (Blackpool?)
Dear Rodney's leading, Jo is at the rear (The Mayors)
Another hill, the sun is beating down
Lots more to come... of that I have no fear!
My boots are pounding, smiling, rarely frown!
A final loop, guess what?...another hill!
My knees are aching, walking for three hours
Fine view-point,all beating hearts to thrill
See palms and cacti, bougainvillea flowers
The "Spring of Life" awits us.... Leon beer
A high-point in this walker's busy year! Updated from December 2014 xx
HAPPY WALKING AGAIN!
P U R E N O S T A L G I A
Kouklia, Dear Stavros seated
By all walkers warmly greeted
'Says he's given Whisky up (I haven't!)
Drinking from a..... coffee cup! (Help!)
Georgie too, a walk he's leading (Mr. Bates)
Souskiou, a Keo needing
Lots of smiles, the hard work done
'Though December, in the sun!
Steepest hill we're now ascending
Onwards, upwards, never ending!
Views to die for, valley deep
'Change from all those "mountains steep"?
Lunching, time for contemplation
"Safe", we're told, this Cyprus nation!
"Please don't talk about the North!"
Scotland, p'rhaps the Firth of Forth? (No?)
We're returning, lonely doggie
'Guess he's starving, 'looking groggy (abandoned!)
'Give him water, tasty snack
'Stroke his lean and boney back
Tail now wagging, home he's needing
Tender care and daily feeding
Why abandon canine friend
'Drives me slowly 'round the bend!
Cars we're sighting: "Keo-running"
'Get there first is really cunning!
13 K', a drink we need (I use kilometres)
Leon is this walker's "feed"!
Pure Nostalgia, mem'ries savour
Leon helps, a malty flavour
Raise my glass to special friends
Friendship never ever ends! Updated from December 2017 xx