Such a good day for a walk
here in my favourite countryside
many times walked this pathway
blessed memories in my mind confined
All set with a rucksack on my back
walking boots fitting my size eleven
scarf and gloves at the ready if cold
this scenery is earth's pic of heaven
Now walking along the water's edge
so stony in parts, watch my step
there's a toilet at the hotel nearby
before going on in between the hedge
Halfway walk across the boardwalk
with a couple of bridges along the way
the scenery is truly spectacular
one wants this forever and a day
Now stepping out homeward bound
with a few hills and bumps to cross
but gazing over the water to the other side
so still makes one ponder to hear a sound
Well passing by the boatyard maker
now walking on flat land, feet so sore
glad to reach back into the town square
make tracks soon be at my own front door!
( Just bringing back memories of one of my favorite walks in the English Lake District along Derwent Water near Keswick.)
Walking along this nature path
such beautiful colours before your eye
revealing the greatness of God's creation
such splendour and majesty sky high
This reminds me so much of the lakes
there surrounding Keswick so very fair
walking along Derwent Water's edge
glories abound but no Derwent bear!
Colouring of the trees so very majestic
stops one in your tracks, you must admire
leaves you spellbound almost still
imagine now sound of a male voice choir!
These memories so forthcoming
for this year covid 19 did block
any opportunity to visit my delight
beauty personified as feet can't walk!
Being so thankful for past memories
so many to look upon and gaze
many a tale one could speak upon
but I don't want to start a craze!
(Thinking of being in the English lakes at least once a year, that's been the case for past 30 years but covid 19 stopped that this year so holding on to my memories as that's all I have of these lovely lakes.)
For over 30 years at least once a year
we have gone to Keswick for a holiday
so it's our very favourite place to go
such beauty displaced there every day
This little town of only 5000 population
lies in the English Lake district so wonderful
surrounded by such scenery of deep greenery
lakes and mountains so very beautiful
Keswick filled with walkers during all the year
no matter the weather folks come to climb
in our early years loved to get climbing high
Blencathra, Skiddaw, Catbells set us in our prime
Derwent Water's a wonderful lake
many walk or even run around it
some even have a sail within its waters
also at Friars Crag take a view and sit
Lots of lovely coffee shops in the town
pencil and history museums all to see
lovely parks to stroll being relaxed
the airs so fresh makes one feel so free
(Over our nearly 30 years of marriage, we've gone to Keswick at least once a year often more often but it never loses its magic touch even last week back again to take in all its glory and colourful scenes.)
The moon casts shadows of deep cold glare
Grumbling engines roll and tear through the quiet loss of silence in the evening air
Practice over the walls of dam
For a mission that will change the fate of man
See giant birds with still wings soar
Listen to the dinning engines roar
Feel the presence of courage and cunning and dare
For heroes in winged beasts soaring through the air
A squadron of men and science will deliver
Something that thought of now makes me shiver
The Derwent rehearsal for the wings of war to soar
Now honoured as heroes and will be forever more
617 may be a number to me or you
617 is something way more than cool
They broke the stance of mankind’s most ruthless killing machine
They tore through the flesh of the nazi regime
For the men of ‘Operation Chastise’ with badges with these numbers on
You’ll be remembered as the best of men as the years, decades and centuries go on and on.
A picture postcard for all to see
sits down in the valley to view
a small market town among the lakes
real beauty spot always form a queue
Hill walkers come from near and far
make it their base before they trek
it's at base of lovely Derwent Water
where you can sail around it's neck
So many beautiful fells surround it
Blencathra, Catbells, Helvelyn and Skiddaw
these only a few of it's beauty spots
many an artist paint what they saw
Many years ago living nearby
poetic gems penned by Wordsworth
drew poetic word pictures so fine
encaptured many hearts across the earth
Such a place of quietness and peace
enjoy a coffee and cake reading a book
so many eating places to choose
or make a picnic by lakeside brook
There's also a theatre by the lake
go and see a musical or a play
lovely gardens with flowers nearby
sit among it's beauty to spend your day
Here indeed is God's picture book
showing His creation on display
what a picture what a photograph
full of colour no sight of any grey
'Midst towering fells and tumbling streams
A building stands, not all it seems.
The River Derwent passes near –
So bright and bubbling, cool and clear.
In Sprinkling Tarn it has its birth
Then frolics down for all its worth.
So come with me to Bassenthwaite
To model farm, through wrought iron gate.
Victorian buildings, built to last,
Now house a process from the past.
They're making gin (and vodka, too) –
Let's go inside and see them brew.
Prepared from three ingredients,
A gin of striking elegance
Is manufactured here by Cumbri
With purest water, yeast and barley.
Distilled two times in copper still,
Handmade by craftsman with good will.
And flavoured with botanicals,
Hand-gathered from the vales and hills –
Juniper, heather, bilberry
Brought home to the distillery.
So let your taste-buds have a thrill
And take a bottle to the till !
The Derbyshire flag has a cross of green
with a background of pale blue
green for the verdant leas and peaks
blue Derwent running through.
At the crux of the cross, a Tudor rose
fierce history it carries
Henry the seventh beat Richard the third
Lancaster and York houses married.
Combined, their roses red and white
for the house of Tudor of old
Derbyshire's rose, recently born,
resplendent in it's gold.
Consider yourself edified
in this poetic manner
for this may be the last time that
I write about a banner.
Viv Wigley
12th July
For contest 'tell us about your county state city flag', sponsored by Judy Konos