Coasting through

High upon
a hillside
looking over
an untamed stretch of coast,
is what I like about this
area of country the most.

Blisters on my feet
and skin that has
become sore along the way,
still it's all part of the invigorating
feeling of the day.

Up and down narrow
bits of track,
can be kind of scarey
until you get the knack.

It's a bright and breezy
morning and looking
like your just taking a leisurely stroll,
but after a few hours
all that walking
takes it's toll.

Yet when your walking along
a coastal path
you forget about the road,
taking it all in a
different mode.

Your wandering aimlessly
somewhere off the beaten track,
enthusiastically shouldering
a backpack.

Knowing you have to
pace yourself and can't
do it all in a hurry,
just enjoying the day
so why worry.

At the end feeling tired
so that will do,
all the fun of the day
by coasting through.

Riding down to Hay

What a great day
for riding down
to Hay.

It turned out
to be quite
a stretch
feeling afterwards
like a wretch.

Down the river road
towards Brecon,
had to be another
15 to 20 miles
I reckon.

Cycling up hill's
can be tough,
and this one
was going to be rough.

Eventually meeting
the small suspension
bridge at Boughrood,
improved my mood.

Down the main road
until I take the turning
for Hay on Wye,
a rare book shop haven
for people to buy.

Standing on the edge
of town and walking in
like John Wayne,
many would have thought
the distance insane.

Hay boasts a book festival
that is recognised
Worldwide.

But my cycle
was not yet complete,
my fluids draining away
because of the heat.

Heading back I took
a wrong turn,
but went to on to live
and learn.

5 miles and it seemed
I had recovered my full
head of steam,
but the tiredness at times
felt like a bad dream.

63 miles can be
hard to face,
but with cycling
you do it all
at your own pace.

Penbryn

Walking along
white sands
at Penbryn,
out to sea
you might encounter
a Dolphin.

It's a truly marvellous
stretch of coast,
one of the best that
Ceredigion can boast.

It's even had a
few moment's on
the silver screen,
as a romantic location
for a Bond love scene.

Brightly standing out against
a pale sea view,
heading towards Tresaith
and Aberporth are nearby to.

It's off the main road
by a couple of miles
or more,
until you come to
a beautiful seashore.

Penbryn is
such a peaceful
and tranquil delight,
how the sunset's
captivate the
skies around there
at night.

I've thought of
Penbryn many
times before,
it's out of the way
and so easy to ignore.

To it's memory
I bid it a fond farewell,
an enchanting place
that put me under
it's spell.

Abergwesyn

It was a bright and
sunny day,
towards Abergwesyn
I was headed that way.

I reached that small hamlet
and headed through the pass,
cycling towards the Devil's staircase
was in a different class.

The road was narrow
and utterly steep,
slowly up it
I would creep.

Once over it
there were two different
roads to take,
either to Llandovery
or Tregaron,
but instead I
took a break.

The landscape was
amazingly wild,
but thank goodness
the weather was mild.

The Drovers used to move
their cattle along that narrow
stretch of road,
where small streams
into a river have flowed.

During the Winter
it must be untamed
and bleak,
the snow's lasting
far longer than a week.

So there I was cycling
through Abergwesyn,
so many hills to
make it there,
that they just wouldn't lessen.

But what I saw
stirred my heart
and inspired the mind,
cycling through landscapes
that could otherwise
be hard to find.

Llanrannog Quay

On a bright sunny day
where I like to be
is on the beach
at Llangrannog Quay.

Just watching the waves
splash and crash,
against the rocks
they bash.

I'm eating my Sandwiches
and enjoying a cup of Tea,
the beach is full of people,
so it's just not me.

Boats are sailing up
and down close to shore,
it's not an area I'd been
familiar with before.

It's a bit out of the way
but a real treasure
of Cardigan Bay.

So back up a country lane
for a couple of miles
or more,
ready to sample
many delights of what
the area had instore.

No fuss, just take the bus

From Aberystwyth to
Cardigan and
then Haverfordwest,
with hardly anytime
to rest.

Headiing down towards
Newgale where strong
winds often prevail.

Up towards Solva
and St David's
a small Cathedral City,
Pembrokeshire is
pretty.

Back to Fishguard
and reaching Strumble Head,
thinking I'd rather now be
chasing that ferry over
to Ireland instead.

From then on it's
it's travelling back
to Aberystwyth
alongside Cardigan Bay,
I did all of that by bus
in a day.

It might not appeal
to all of us,
but it really was no fuss,
just take the bus.

Heading North

Taking a bus journey
and setting forth,
knowing that I'm
heading North.

Crossing the Dovey Bridge
a geographical landmark,
and heading into the
Snowdonia National Park.

A sudden cloud burst of rain
then clear blue sky,
as I journey on towards
Dolgellau.

Reaching Porthmadog
and part of the
Blaenau ffestiniog railway
and onto Caernarfon
with it's fine castle
and walled town on display.

The last stretch to Bangor
before the return journey
back home,
a bus pass offers freedom
to roam.

So if your in Aberystwyth
and would like something
different to do,
why not take a bus ride
on the X32.

Deep in the heart of it all

Deep in the Hafod Forest
losing yourself
for a day,
amongst the wooded tree's
and Winter's broken branches
getting in the way.

Imagining the sun
going down over
the hills at dusk
and feeling a sense of awe,
thinking why had I never
felt this way before.

Trapesing across uneven
and broken bits of ground,
listening carefully for a
distinctive animal sound.

Off the beaten track
and finding your own trail,
trying to get up some slope
slower than a snail.

Getting deeper into
the darkness where it becomes
blanket thick,
thinking that you better
turn back quick.

Looking through the
shaded tree's for the
slightest shred of light,
just to reassure yourself
that everything will
be alright.

Your not sure how
far you walked
but just keep on going,
without ever really knowing.

Stopping at a beautiful view point
for a well earned break,
a good picnic spot
of it you could make.

But there are treasure's hidden
in the Hafod,
under tree's that stand tall,
to reveal a waterfall.

The forest is deep
and many hidden places I recall,
but to watch the water gushing over
deep in the heart of all.

At the Menai Straits

A cold and weary Roman army
lies encamped and waits,
at the Menai Straits.

The waters can be
treacherous and rough,
just the hanging around
had to be tough.

Over on the Isle of Anglessey
the last remnants of the
Welsh Druids remain,
by the Roman's
they'll be slain.

This has to strike
a passionate Welsh chord,
for all those who
perished by the sword.

Anglessey was to be
their last piece of ground,
and became one huge
burial mound.

But the Roman's
still had to make
it across,
to inflict the last
Druid loss.

The nerve and sense
of feeling knowing
you just have to watch
and wait,
because this was to be
their fate.

After that the Roman
victory was complete,
but it wasn't an easy feat.

For an ancient army
would find it hard to
get around,
and had no idea
of what would be found.

At least on Anglessey
time was on the Druid side,
but the outcome was
so many brutally died.

Nowadays there are two
bridges that span over
to the otherside,
but the Menai straits
still create a treacherous tide.

The wilds of Wales

Breathing in
all that hill
and mountain air,
this country's heart
and soul to bare.

It's majesty and
splendor,
against valley's
that are lush, green and tender.

The wild's of Wales
that echo
passions of rejoice,
bellowing out in
melodious voice.

When it's cold and wet
and it's raining down hard,
the wild's of Wales
inspire the bard.

When it turns to rain
or shine,
the Wild's of Wales
are divine.

Beauty that is bestowed
like a sacred trust,
the vivid green's
unplagued by
dirt and dust.

Venturing off
into the wild's
of Wales,
where mystery and
adventure prevails.

Down a pathway
and through a
secluded wood,
leading to where
Merlin might
have stood.

There's magic in
this country,
without telling tales,
you've just got to find it
for yourself out amongst
the wild's of Wales.

Cycling in Wales

I love cycling
in Mid Wales,
a land full
of beauty and
mystical tales.

Some of the hills
peddling up
can be a bit steep,
but so many rewards
from it do you reap.

I've cycled through landscapes
surrounded by snow,
and along small lanes
where small rivers flow.

Up against lashing wind's
and driving torrential rain,
pounding onto
an over filled drain.

Come the Summer
on days when it's blazing hot,
up into the hill's
to find a cooling off spot.

Cycling up and down
the Cambrian coast,
warm gentle breezes
so that you don't toast.

Towards the Elan Valley Dams
and around the lakes,
perfect spots for picnic breaks.

Cycling through Wales
has got it all,
so much inside a country
that is small.


From top to bottom
and across,
there are enough hills and
mountains to show
you who's boss.

Off of my head

I'm not yet off of
my head,
there will be plenty of time
to play that one
when I'm dead.

The mind can be
like opening up
the proverbial can of worms,
and spreading loads of germs.

Nowadays we apply
to things so
many sticky labels,
fact today
but tomorrow's fables.

What's insane
is this so called
Nanny Culture,
that's becoming
like a disease infested
Vulture.

You couldn't get a
large enough prescription
to cure all the World's ill's,
but keep on taking the pill's.

Take one for poverty
another for pollution,
and the raging continuation
of wars that have become
a human institution.

We're in this World and
some thing's are way
over our head,
no wonder we need
the extra med.

So if I am
off of my head,
then I should
be sleeping it off
in bed.

No easy task

They said it
would be easy
but it was no
easy task,
and if help was needed
all you had to do was ask.

But the spirit of compromise
was like trying to wipe away
the fading sleep from the eyes.

If something needing doing
then it had to be done by you,
because other's didn't recognise
what you were going through.

Get up in the morning
then early to bed,
just had to keep on going
and take it as read.

The burdens that were
carried around
for other's appeared
quite profound.

It's so easy to
give advice,
but a helping hand
every once in awhile
would be nice.

So there you are
against the elements
and it's no easy task,
the responsibilities
that become like
a heavily weighted mask.

Cutting out

Booze and alcohol
drugs and sex,
the liberties we took for granted
upon them today
there's a hex.

Now we've got all
this technology
like the genie's
in high demand,
go online
and your wish is my
command.

Old Dinosaurs
that have for too
long ruled the Earth,
exploit the masses
for all it's worth.

There's not enough
Whiskey left in the bottle,
not even enough beer,
cutting out today
is what we hear.

So get pasted being all night online
but there are
brave souls out there
to open up a good
bottle of wine.

Too many rules
and regulations
and we'll hear
enough screams and shout,
because we can decide for ourselves
what is worth cutting out.

Wacky

This place called
called Earth
is wierd and wonderful
but kind of wacky,
from exotic places
to what some think
are tacky.

It takes a lot of tolerance
and patience to try and
figure some of it out,
to become thicked skinned
as you wander about.

It is truly amazing
so that many billion
are here today,
and through the gift of language
what they say.

It takes time
to get into the motion
for the age of Aquarius,
some thing's will be wacky
but hilarious.

This life can be like
a comedy with hyphenated errors
included all the way,
because you just don't
know what may
happen today.

We've just got
to learn to get along better
and stop walking around
like frightened sheep
who appear to lose
their way,
because this wacky World
for all is on display.

Yet many audition on TV
because they want to sing,
we see the weird and
wacky doing
their thing.

From country to continent
wacky is wherever
you look around,
it's a brave and fascinating
World no matter
how something might appear
or sound.

The mighty Prince

There was a King
who reaked havoc
upon command,
until a mighty Prince
made a stand.

For the nobility of his
birth he felt was nothing
until he'd proven
his worth.

Truth and justice
was still something
to defend,
and the power of a throne
was not fit for a King
whom would pretend.

So the mighty Prince
challenged the Royal tyrant
to defend his kingly right,
as the Prince
was prepared to fight.

But the King was a weak
and cowardly despot
who only wore the Crown,
and appeared more powerful
wearing his Royal gown.

He'd never fought a battle before,
and wept and fell
suddenly to the floor.

The Mighty Prince
said you are no King,
and can't even imagine
all your subject's
misery and suffering.

Abdicate now
or killing you
will be my vow.

I do not want to
stain my sword
with the treachery
of your blood,
or for other's to
fight and die for you
in foreign mud.

The king knew by now
that he must do or die,
if he fought
was it worth the try.

He turned to the Prince
and said I am a tyrant
as have been many King's
before me,
now there is something
you shall witness and see.

The King pulled out his sword
and ferociously fought his way,
as no ambitiously minded Prince
was going to rule the day.

The mighty Prince lunged
and into his stomach
the King's sword plunged.

The King looked at him firmly
and said now you know I am
not weak,
for you personal gain
it's the power of the throne
you seek.

My enemies are many
and there are plenty
who'd plunge
a dagger into my back,
that is why towns and cities
I sack.

I'd rather be a bad King
than not one at all,
but just like many I've
had my rise and fall.

But now you have created
a curious twist of fete,
that I still have it within me
to be just and great.

The Prince's stomach wounded
but with time it would heal,
slowly to the ground
upon bended knee he
began to kneel.

The King the next day
issued a proclamation,
that once again there would
be liberty for all throughout
the nation.

The amibitions of one
so young in years
can be hard to convince,
but it takes time
to truly be a just King
or a mighty Prince.

Ocean's away

We come and go
even though we
are Ocean's away,
just the thought of you
brighten's my day.

Cherishing the moments
when everything felt good,
remembering in the grand
scheme of thing's
where you once stood.

But that vast and uncontrollable
Ocean can be difficult
for us to cross,
but maybe it's because
we don't understand
that it can feel unbearable
to live with the loss.

But in our hearts and
minds no ocean can keep
us apart or divide us
as to how we truly feel,
even the briefest thoughts
of one another we steal.

For not to imagine
or think of you
becomes like an unbearable pain,
and fond memories we need
to keep us from going
insane.

So we never really are
Ocean's away,
it's just our thoughts and
feelings sometimes
are kept at bay.

Facing the light

It may not appear right
but sooner or later
we'll all be facing the light.

A loved one is finally
slipping away,
but the love we felt for them
never goes astray.

They need our love
for them to go on,
for just was the case in life
with and through
us they brightly shon.

People all over the World
throughout the day and on into
the night
will be facing the light.

Somehow you just know
for their sake as well as our's
we've got to let
them go.

For this it might seem dumb,
but it's my way of
saying goodbye to my
mum.

Breathing space

Upon every bit of
land to build
is being filled.

House prices
and the demand
have gone through
the roof,
dream homes nowadays
are so distant and aloof.

Encroaching upon
every patch of green,
to create an ever growing
urban scene.

The birds will not
have a nest to bed down
for the night,
and the Owl's prescence
will be blurred by artificial
street light.

The only place to relax
and unwind is
in a park,
but they are not safe places to
venture into after
dark.

We're bombarding
this World with
concrete and cement,
that the only breathing
space available will be
through an air vent.

The confinement and the
stress,
wide open spaces
are becoming less.

Messing around with
some creature's
natural habitat,
where will they go
needs careful consideration
about that.

We're building one
thing and then tearing it
down,
to build bigger and better
on the outskirts of town.

It's like huge metropolis's
are in a massive development race,
and everything is running out
of breathing space.

The path we choose

There are many roads
to the path we choose,
do we accept it,
or refuse.

Sometimes we might
not even know
the path we're on,
and maybe never realise
it had turned out wrong.

One path that leads to
happiness,
another bitterness and pain,
that comes down upon us
like heavy rain.

Consciousness can
be a difficult thing
to grasp and learn,
always like an endless
twist and turn.

Drug, sex, and
any other label,
the World we built
up for ourselves
is not stable.

But there's one fortunate thing,
if you plead insanity,
let someone else find a better way
of dealing with humanity.

For we can all only
do so much,
and at the end of the day
we find we're
out of touch.

So whatever direction
we take to the path we choose,
life continually turns and twists
it's screws.