Thousands fill the streets,
On a rainy day in May.
To see the King and Queen go by,
On this historic day.
King Charles the Third a King in waiting
But his Crown comes with a cost.
The throne is only vacant,
Because of the mother he’s lost.
But we will pledge allegiance.
And shout God save the King,
We’ll wave our flags, and across the land,
In churches bells will ring.
We’re all off to Walsingham.
Many have been before.
Some will never go again.
While others will long for more.
Some hope to get a single room,
or maybe they’ll have to share.
Others don’t want to be alone,
happy to make up a pair.
We’ve learnt to wait for the shower
and hang on for the loo.
We’ve heard some pilgrims have ensuite
So, they don’t have to queue.
The Norton bar sells amazing gin.
It gets us in the mood,
To dash into the dining room,
where the cooks serve up the food.
We’re never late for services,
by keeping an eye on the clock.
Once we were still drinking gin.
Much to our leader’s shock!
The pilgrims’ Mass was wonderful.
We’ve learnt the Mary hymn.
It seemed to last forever,
but we had a good old sing.
We’ve visited the Holy House,
and said our Rosary prayers.
With time to pop into the shop
With a tempting display of wares.
We hope we have all bonded,
now we’re at the end of our stay.
We’ve shared some precious moments,
as we walked the pilgrim way.
Thank you, Father Michael
for leading us one last time.
And thank you Father Martin,
for keeping us in line.
We’ve made some happy memories
and moving ones its true.
I will come again next year,
With hopefully most of you.
Valerie Mighall, 2021
I met my friend for tea today.
Virtually.
She made a pot of Earl Grey tea.
Virtually.
A cup for her and a cup for me.
Virtually.
We chatted for an hour or more.
Virtually.
And shared a slice of chocolate cake.
Virtually.
With so much time upon her hands.
Virtually.
It gives her time to make and bake.
Virtually.
We polished off the cake and scones.
Virtually.
She said she’d have to make some more.
Virtually.
And when I stood upon my scales.
Virtually.
My weight was as it was before.
Virtually.
We are coping with self- isolation,
With time to do as we please.
We’re washing our hands every hour it seems,
and covering our mouths when we sneeze.
We are lucky to work in our garden,
the housework can wait for a time.
With no one allowed in our home,
to let it pile up is just fine.
The jobs we have never got round to,
are still there waiting to be done.
To catch up on TV or read a good book.
Is certainly much more fun.
We are eating our way through our freezer,
with food that has been there all year.
Thank goodness the loo roll is lasting.
As shortage seems most people’s fear.
The loo roll jokes keep us laughing.
Although panic buying is not very funny.
By cancelling holidays and weekends away.
We are certainly saving our money.
And when this virus is over.
Whenever that’s likely to be.
We will emerge from our forced hibernation.
With lessons we’ve learnt hopefully!
We had our Golden Wedding,
It’s been a joyful time.
We spent two nights at Hever,
Although we’re in our prime.
So many cards and presents,
Rose bushes to name a few.
A castle grounds to savour,
and a bedroom with a view.
But one more gift was waiting,
When we arrived back home.
Two chickens in a golden coop,
They must be here on loan.
My husband looked quite shocked,
But we guessed who they were from.
We went outside to take a look,
In case we’d got it wrong.
So now we’re chicken owners
We’ll save on eggs he said.
Our own fresh eggs for breakfast
The first since we were wed.
So he’s made the coop fox proof.
I guess that means they’re staying.
So Goldie and Annie it’s up to you,
Make sure you keep on laying!
Ella bought me a whirligig,
I’ve waited far too long.
She knew her granny wanted one,
To deny me was quite wrong.
If I’d gone out and got one,
He would have much to say,
But granddaughters are different,
He lets them have their way.
So now I have my whirligig,
Acquired without a fight.
I just wonder if he’ll put it up,
Completely out of sight!
I’ve baked a cake for the village show.
Only this one is sponge number four.
The first one went and stuck to the tin,
The next one I dropped on the floor.
Three cakes later, my fingers are crossed.
It’s got to be perfect this time.
When I’m baking a sponge with no pressure,
They always turn out to be fine.
I need to come up with a perfect baked cake,
Oh why am I entering this show?
I’ll go out and buy a shop made cake,
Surely the judges won’t know.
My kitchen and worktops are in a right mess,
With mountains of discarded cake.
Broken up and added to jelly,
A few trifles they’ll just have to make.
I get ready a plate with doyley on top.
I’m happy with cake number six.
But don’t look in the bin, or you’ll find,
The packet that says “ready mix”.
If the judges find out I’m a cheat.
Our house would have to be sold.
Crowhurst News may write of my crime
The thought turns my blood really cold.
Can I honestly show a cake from a packet?
A good judge will know it’s a lie.
But I really do want to win a first prize.
So I’ll just have to have one more try!
Halfway into our journey,
And we’re having to turn right back.
Did he remember to turn off the gas
And the euros he’s forgotten to pack.
We are back in the car and thank goodness,
We’ve four hours to catch our plane,
He cannot remember if he locked the front door,
So we’ll have to go back once again.
No problem, we still have three hours
And Gatwick’s only an hour by car.
Oh no, he’s forgotten to put in his pills
And we’ve not even travelled that far
We turn around, what a nuisance,
And soon all is packed in his case.
Don’t worry, we will catch that plane.
It just means we now have to race.
The traffic is calm and no holdups,
I’m beginning to feel more at ease.
Oh heck! Where is my passport?
And now he has lost the house keys.
I must not load the dishwasher,
I never pack it right.
And if I try to do it,
It ends up with a fight.
The plates must stand in tidy rows,
With cups placed in between.
Greasy pans go at the bottom,
Essential to get them clean.
The cutlery tray is quite an art,
Forks must stand upright.
Knives point down for safety’s sake,
Spoons are placed apart.
Before the door is finally shut,
A check list must be ticked,
Does the spinner, spin with ease?
What programme should be picked.
And when the cycle’s finished,
I have the final say.
If I cannot load the wretched thing,
He can put the stuff away!
Do not wish me Happy Christmas
For it may offend they say.
When you greet me in the street,
Just say Happy Holiday!
Go and sing some festive carols,
Help to get you in the mood.
Not in church but down the pub,
Wash them down with drink and food.
Have you brought your gifts and chocolates,
Shopping now is not that hard.
Sit in front of your computer
And stick it on your credit card.
Once you feasted on roast chicken,
That your father had to pluck.
Now it’s turkey, plump and golden,
Stuffed inside with goose and duck.
Christmas starts in shops in August,
Advent seems to be no more,
Christ’s forgotten in this season,
With countdown calendars on the door.
In this economic climate,
Keep on spending, do not fear,
That your buying with your plastic
You can spread the cost next year.
Festive jingles fill the air,
Houses and gardens brightly are lit.
Shops encourage you to keep up the spending..
Santas in grottos they patiently sit.
E cards filling up your in box,
Bring down the plastic holly and tree,
Display your collection of musical snowmen,
And even that cute nativity.
As you place the Eastern figures
Does something stir long lost within.
Of the journey to the stable
And the baby born a King.
Should we ask our friends and children
Have we really lost our way,
For it us the birth of Jesus
That we celebrate this day
We must tell the politicians
Let us stop all this “pc”
Come let’s worship Christ our Saviour
Down upon our bended knee.
Fill the churches, sing the carols
Hope can shine for all to see
Forget about the constant spending.
Love is here and it is free
LallyJean 