The Minack

22nd August 2021

The Minack

"Anyone want a cup of tea?" I call out, lifting the kettle to fill it anyway. I wince at the pain, my hands aching after spending a couple of hours scraping old embossed wallpaper from walls in the hallway. 

"Please..." they all - hubby, daughter and son in law -  shout back in unison.

We sit unceremoniously around the large farmhouse table, four mugs, two plastic beakers containing water for the grandchildren - Raphy must have the dark blue one and Molly the pink- and snacks of biscuits and fruit to keep us going. We're all tired and I promise after my cup of tea I'll read some stories to the children, after all we have been neglecting them a bit. And I didn't say it but I'd had enough of scraping the walls. My back, my legs, my hands... Yes, even if I have to read Grimwort's Ghosts for the twentieth time, at least it'd be a rest for my body.

"Mum and Dad, we've got a surprise for you," Jo was eager to tell us her news. Paul sat there with a smile on his face. 

"What surprise?" I didn't like surprises. Must be my incessant desire to control every environment that I'm in. I tried to muster up some enthusiasm. Maybe I should have said, "A surprise, how lovely, what is it?" Easy to know how to react in retrospect. My query was, on the contrary, tinged with suspicion. Am I even going to like this surprise?

"We've got you tickets for the Minack Theatre for next week."  The Open air theatre, really? What if it rains? What if it's cold? What if I hate the performance? So many negative thoughts circling in my head. Yes, I know, you think I'm ungrateful. Probably I am.  And it must have shown on my face. I didn't mean it to. I tried for it not to.    

"You don't have to go. Me and Paul can use the tickets and you guys can babysit," I heard the hurt in her words. She was deflated.  Paul looked confused. I mean it was a present they were giving us.

"Well, I'd love to go, Jo. Thank you very much." said my dear hubby. 

"No, we'll go. What's on anyway? It's just, you know, I don't like surprises." Was I  making it worse. 

"Shakespeare's, "A Winter's Tale" , you'll love it mum." I hoped I would. I decided if I didn't get wet or cold, that would be a win.  

Porthchapel Beach

When the day came for our visit, we decided to make a day of it and get to see some of the area around the theatre - beaches, coast path, etc -   especially as it was meant to be really beautiful and we    wouldn't get back there again on this trip. 

After 9.30 Mass in Camborne we set off for Porthcurno, Penzance. As far as I recall the sat- nav predicted the journey would take about forty minutes. The last part of the journey took longer than expected. I  kept thinking we were nearly there, and that the sat-nav must be wrong, only to find more narrow roads to negotiate.   

 

After checking out where we had to go later and speaking to an official,  who told us the Theatre car park would be open at six o'clock, we headed off to find another car park we'd spotted back up the hill. which had a big sign saying   "All day - £3". 

"We'll just park there, then we won't have to worry," Peter said. I agreed. 

We set off for a walk, bringing nothing with us, not even beach attire. That was a mistake. We also had no water. Another mistake. 

It was a long walk, maybe half an hour, including the climb down, to Porthchapel Beach. It was beautiful. After an hour enjoying the sun and talking to a family Margate - yes, what are the odds? - I started to worry about hubby being hungry and more importantly needing fluids. 

Porthchapel Beach

On the way back up we asked a few people if they knew anywhere that sold food and drink, a cafe or something. Two options, both the same distance as going back to the car, and that's only if we found them. 

"I've actually got  something for dinner in the fridge," I said. "And I'll make coffee. It'll be easier."

"Ok, if you want," he'd have preferred to find a cafe, but didn't say anything. 

He handed me an empty plate. 

"I thoroughly enjoyed that," he said. 

"Yeh, it was good, wasn't it?"

A few new potatoes, some salad and a pork chop. What could be better?

He played  his guitar while we drank our coffee.

We had another walk along the coast path in the afternoon , but in the direction of Porthcurno Beach. We didn't make it down. We were quite happy walking. Every now and again someone would stop to talk to us. 

Porthcurno Beach

When we got back to the camper we had another cup of coffee and some raisins, before heading off to the theatre.

"Where's your raincoat?" hubby was packing a rucksack with items we might need.

"Under the seat," I said, "and have you got the blankets?"

"Of course."

Off we went to queue, both carrying a cushion each. 

During the performance, which I absolutely, thoroughly enjoyed, we watched seasoned theatre goers with their picnic baskets - cheese and wine, Cornish pasties, soups. It was amazing. If we get to go again we must be more organised.  

The theatre company, a small touring group from somewhere in London, were phenomenal. 

I've never read that particular play of Shakepeare's. Seeing that performance certainly made me want to. 

we will be back, that's for sure. 

 

I'm Back - Maybe...

 18th Aug 2021

I'm Back - Maybe...

Having not posted anything on my blog since 30th April, the last day of the Poem a Day in April challenge - is it really that long?- I was surprised to find that in July I had over 12,000 visits and this month already, with a little way  still to go, there are over 700.

How interesting to find that people are finding my blog when I'm not even pushing it. 

Total visits now stand at over 86,000. That's not bad, really, is it? 

Thank you to everyone who looks me up and reads my words. 

Today I'm here , on the blog that is, because I'm avoiding working on my memoir.  After a break of more than five weeks, I'm finding it excruciatingly difficult to get started again. 

So, this is writing, right? Giving those writerly muscles a workout - yes? I mean, I need it. I haven't even been doing my morning pages!! I know !! How can I even admit that!!

Why, you may ask, has there been such a long break? 

Well, mainly, it's because hubby and I have been in Cornwall. No, no, no, not touring in the camper. That would have been nice. No, we were with our daughter and her family. We helped them move to their new(?) house, with the idea that hubby would put in a new bathroom for them. Shouldn't take long, I thought, maybe a week, then we can have a bit of a holiday. No chance.

 Eventually, after nearly four weeks Peter and Son in Law finished said bathroom to  triumphant shouts of joy from the rest of us. I hadn't even washed my hair in all that time, or had a shower. I didn't mind too much. We are used to wild camping, after all.

I was kept busy all this time helping with "decorating" (code for stripping the wallpaper off the walls in the hallway-a mindblowingly slow process), cooking, entertaining the children and going for walks on beautiful beaches. 

Unfortunately, and the reason why I didn't write, they hadn't yet got internet at the house and even the phone signal was poor. So, not only didn't I write but I also didn't keep in touch with anyone by phone. 

But now we're home and hopefully I'm ready to go...

Haiku to end

 30th April 2021

    Because I have limited time, I end the 30 day challenge with NaPoWriMo with a simple Haiku. The form for a  Haiku is, traditionally, three lines of 5, 7 5, syllables. There are other aesthetic considerations which I haven't necessarily followed here. The form is enough today.

Coming to The End

Thirty days have passed,

the pilgrimage ends, yet new 

words call me onward  

Looking Through The Window

29th April 2021

This poem just came very quickly with the prompt this morning and it took all of ten minutes to pen. There are probably plenty of errors, but I'm posting anyway. The prompt was to imagine looking through a window and describe what you see.

Looking Through the Window

There she goes, off to the book launch.

It's the fourth time but she still finds it unreal,

like it's happening to someone else.

The car has come for her, a black limo.

Slowly, elegantly she  steps in, her little red shoes 

just visible under the long multicoloured dress,

her hair, which on normal days she ties back 

with an elastic band, 

now arranged in a beautiful bun, with ringlets 

framing her wrinkled yet youthful face.

She didn't dare dream of these moments 

when, ten years ago, at sixty five,

she began to write.

She waves from the window, majestically,

enjoying her moment.

A Beautiful Future

 28th April 2021

 Continuing with NaPoWriMo, which is nearly finished. I haven't made every day, but I've done a fair bit of the month.

Now there are only two days left. let's see if I can get to the end with two more poems to finish.

I have to attribute the first line of the poem to the poet Simon Armitage. I thank him for the inspiration. 

Once, the  future was a beautiful place

Once,

 the future was a place of beauty,

A place where, getting old together, 

you and I would 

Walk by the sea, kick up the stones,

 laugh loudly,

While a gentle  breeze breathes    

through  our hair.

Where, we softly stroll 

among fresh,

 fields of daffodils,

Yellow flowers, greeting 

 the spring,

perhaps you pick one,

 tickle me under my chin,

do you still like butter?

  as if you don't know.

A familiar, fresh, warmth  

caresses our bodies.

Then, when  evenings comes,  

you  shut the curtains,

you offer me a glass of red,

 you sit beside me.

We could share a poem together,

remember fondly, when 

the  children were young,

shed tears of gratitude

For each other, for all the blessings 

 For the life we’d had, together.

But now, that beautiful place,

 that future

has been stolen away

 ripped from my hands,

By your fading,  

your weakening, day after day,

by memories of 

sitting by your hospital bed,

 Of holding your hand, as,

so silently,  you slipped away.

The future has become 

 an empty place - dark, cold,

I’d rather not go there.

He Had A Lovely Smile

24th April 2021

For NaPoWriMo today, I'm going to try to write a sonnet - a first for me.

Playing with the form.

He Had A Lovely Smile

Nothing could prepare me for that day,

When I first saw him looking straight at me.

It was on the beach we first began to play,

And both of us dashed in and out the sea.

He had the most attractive sort of smile,

It captured me and drew me in for sure.

He looked at me with longing all the while

His intentions I convinced myself were pure.

We spent the summer months on golden sands

Walking , talking dreaming, holding hands.

Yet at summers close it all came to an end

I discovered that our love was all pretend .

No Chicken

 22nd April 

Oh look, it looks like I didn't post this:

1st April

Napowrimo Again - a poem a day in April

Day 1

No Chicken

You sit,

Hunched over,

cold pavement beneath you, 

colourful sleeping bag

pulled up under your chin,

yet chill air gets in, 

chill air gets in, 

this crisp March morning,

Strategically, carefully 

 you chose your spot,

beside the steps
 leading to the the doors,

of St Benedict's  Church.

You reach out your hand,

 gnarled, greasy, gritted with the road,

Your eyes search mine, hopefully,

finding their way to a  corner

of my soul

"Are you hungry?
Can I get you a sandwich?"
"Yes, thanks..."
Is that an Albanian accent?
"What kind would you like?"

I leave  you that dignity,

won't presume to choose.

"Chicken please..."
"No chicken left, 

what about
 ham and cheese?"
"That's fine, Thank you"
polite, refined, 

what brought you here?

You take my hand.
I wish I could take you home.
I find myself sitting beside you,
I listen as you tell your story,

You smile, for a while, 
I leave,

go back  to my,

centrally heated house,
you,  forever a part of me.

Coffee with Friend

 22nd April 2021

NaPoWriMo day 22.

Now that we can meet and get a take away coffee, I've been catching up with friends.

I find that we're so eager to tell each other what's been happening, I mean, even with the Lockdown we seem to have an abundance of stories and news, that we end up interrupting and rushing our words.

I think it's something we have to ease back into. It might take a while. 

Coffee Outside 

with Friend

"Why was I telling you that?"

"Sorry, I interrupted you, again. But..."

"So, go back to your story,

where were you?"

"That reminds me..."

"No, go on... I'm listening..."

"So, you were saying..."

"What were you saying?"

"Why was I telling you that?"

"Oh, would you look at the sparrows,

they're coming so close..."

"Sorry, I interrupted again...

this cake is good...

are you cold, you're shivering..."

"It was so good to see you...

Shall we go?"

What About Us

 21st April 2021

And another day at NaPoWriMo. 

Let's go.

Where are the words?

What About Us

This morning I see lambs

 in a field,

woolly, soft, sitting

in spots of spring

 sunshine, 

or wobbling weakly,

wandering,  

on thin legs.

the air still cool.

Silent trees, 

heavy with blossom. 

Abundant future, 

hidden on each branch.

A breath of breeze 

gifts me scent

of a long ago  day.

And along the lane 

crocuses, daffodils,

primroses, 

beckon me forwards,

towards, 

that day.

And what about, us

the two of us, 

 what about us...

My Life

 20th April 2021

Welcome to day 20 of NaPoWriMo. I have no clue what to write today.

 Something might come to me.

Ok, I'll just go with some words that came to me from todays Gospel reading:

John 6 : 30-35. One of my favourites.

                                           My Life

"I am the bread of life"

The people ask Jesus for a sign. 

Are we still asking for signs. 

Are there not enough,

in scripture,

in our daily lives,

 for us to ponder on, 

not enough to help us believe.

It's true isn't it , 

that for those who believe

no sign is needed,

 but for those without belief,

no sign is enough. 

Jesus tells them,

He is the bread of life.

To me that means

 He is my sustenance,

all I need. 

Jesus is everything 

I need,

my life.