Month: May 2026

Green tea sandwich day, rinse and repeat?

Ian Hunter1 Comment
NK And Sam

Today started with a cup of green tea

Hot, refreshing and invigorating

Soon after it was time for breakfast

A protein shake loaded with fruit and avocado for me

Others adopted for a more traditional English breakfast

Bacon sizzled while eggs cooked

A quick family meeting to plan the day

A visit to Treboh gardens was unilaterally chosen

It was only a 10 minute drive away

Strolling through tropical gardens in the late morning sun

Towering plants and a babbling brook formed a path to the beach

A rocky cove with pebbles lashed by gentle waves

It was used to load boats for the D Day landings

A small plaque commemorating those brave young men

Many of them perished on the Omaha beach

Plenty of folks sunbathing today

Only the brave dipped a toe into the chilly waters of the English Channel

Hunger pangs demanded attention

A beach side cafe was calling

Hot Cornish pasties were soon consumed

Followed by the obligatory ice cream

It always tastes better at the seaside

Happy young children ran along the beach

Chased by frazzled parents

We watched with amusement

Those days are now distant memories for us

A gentle stroll back up the hill

Frequent stops to admire the exotic plants

Small waterfalls sang to us

Soon we were back at the main entrance

Browsing the gift shop

A short drive to the Red Lion pub for a quick drink

Inevitably it morphed into a second drink and a full-on delicious pub grub dinner

A short ride back and we put the kettle on

Finishing the day with cup of green tea before bed

Dreams soon followed of sandwiching precious family memories between glorious cups of green tea

Rinse and repeat tomorrow?

waves end with 9 R’s

Ian Hunter1 Comment

Gentle waves ambling shoreward

Sunlight gleams on every crest

The flickering army advances steadily

They seem to speed up close to land

Lapping the rocky shore with a hiss

Dissolving into a bubbly white foam

A champagne toast in celibration

Such a beautiful end to a long journey

Their job is done but others follow

Relentless, rhythmic, repetitive, rolling, rippling, rhapsodic, receding

A taste of Cornwall

Ian Hunter1 Comment
tiddy oggy

granite cliffs stand proud against the tough coastal weather
the sea speaks in a pirate tongue
salt on the windows, tar in the ropes,
treasure washed up from shipwrecks

we drove down narrow lanes searching for Cornish pasties

a hot savory pie that locals call tiddy oggy

down near the harbor we bought a bag full to picnic up on the cliffs

as we broke open the crusty pastry,
steam escaped into the clifftop air
calling the gulls to circle like rampant thieves

the afternoon quest was to seek out cream teas with jam red as a sunset over St Ives
thick cream folded like sea foam on a beach at low tide
with our bellies full it was time to tell stories of pirates and Cornish heroes

Cornwall moves slowly
except for the wind
and stories of treasures
that never stay buried

the best way to experience Cornwall is to taste it

Just one more sunrise

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She had trouble falling asleep

Tossing and turning

Staring into the darkness

Time passed slowly

Her heart beat faster

She became more anxious

Panicking about life and death

Praying for one more sunrise

Reflecting on the life she had lived

Regretting the mistakes and bad choices

Feeling guilty for breaking a few hearts along the way

Hoping to find forgiveness

Her heart beat faster

She closed her eyes and meditated

Peace and serenity rushed in

No longer afraid

Accepting her fate

Calmly waiting

Distant voices whispering

Opening her eyes slowly

A bright light shone into her mind

It was the sunrise she had prayed for

Unable to move or speak

A machine was pumping air into her lungs

She recognized her family around her

The doctors confirmed it was time

The breathing machine was switched off

Her family said their goodbyes

She was unable to communicate back

They understood

It was her last beautiful sunrise

Only mad dogs and Englishmen dare to sail across the North Sea

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Black waters of the North Sea

trapped between the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea

the North Sea heaves without apology


in a constant state of anger and rage

traversing ships battle the frequent gales


their lights swallowed by rain and swells


while gulls hang motionless above black water

where metal sea spiders suck up oil reserves


Their rusty steel legs disappear into the cold depths


and the horizon tastes of salt, diesel, and old mariner’s faded dreams

Wonderful wonderful Bikenhagen

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In Copenhagen they whisper “Welcome to Bikenhagen” where cyclists are the Knights of the road


Rivers of wheels hum through the rain but all obediently stop at every red light

Cyclists glide like weathered swans past cafés, bridges, and bright painted houses


Bells ring soft through Nordic dawns and cars drivers instantly surrender to the two wheeled army that occupies the city

In years gone by the Danish warlords conquered all before them with mighty swords

Today those swords have been melted down and turned into bicycle frames

Wonderful wonderful Bikenhagen