Good Morning, Rainbow.

It was just gone five on the Friday morn

A sprinkling of rain welcomed the dawn

The rising sun reflected the rain

The emotions I felt, hard to contain

Solar rays kissed the skies

Filled such colour in my eyes

A rainbow or two

A magical view.

Then came the dream

The rainbow stream

Of flowing thoughts

Of hopeful reports

A symbol of change

Time to arrange

That brand new start

That sings in my heart.

A New Adventure Trail.

I've been in the mood for exploring the local area.  I went to the major park in Leek, Staffordshire, named Brough Park.  I discovered a trail.  Where would the trail lead to?  What might I see?

For the first five minutes I was enclosed by trees and bushes. Then, to the left of me, a lush green landscape was revealed.  

Directly in front of me was the trail that leads to an adventure for another day.

Back to the view on the left.  The sun continues its westward journey.   

The adventure trail for another day.  A blue-tinged pathway of intrigue.

And beyond, way beyond the trees you see above the pond in the previous photos, to the north west, a gently whirling windmill.

I turned back.  Back to my car.  Back to the home that I shall be leaving in early August.  A new adventure trail for my son, for Penny, our beloved, cherished dog.  A new adventure trail for us all.  Each adventure trail, a definition of who we are.

Each of us has a trail, a pathway, that journey.  Sometimes the pathway will have potholes.  Yet, with each pothole, we climb out, we learn, we carry on.

Embraces Horizon.

A short stroll from home.  

A field to roam

The evening glow

Of wonder I know.

The remnants remain of the setting sun

Embraces horizon, emerges as one

The balance of nature speaks to me

I learn to see

Tomorrow

No sorrow

A revelation

A destination

The sun will return

A lesson I learn

Beyond the fears

Beyond the tears

There is hope

Together, we cope

Meander In This Market Town.

There are days I wake up and still find it hard to believe that I actually live in England.  Then I stare at the sign, see the cars on the opposite side of the road and listen to the accents.  I'm in England and there are times I get real scared.  

I can wander along, wander aimlessly and wonder aimlessly.  I can walk the streets as the invisible man.  A man who knows that even amongst the crowd, I am a lone and solitary figure.  And even so, there are those magical fleeting moments where the people who see me laugh and smile at my contrary, zany disposition. Yet, despite these times of lacking direction, of fears of an uncertain future, these moments I meander in this market town, make me realise how much I have and how far I've come along.  

And I reflect upon the reflection, on the window and in my mind.  I think back to that day when I took that chance, uprooted my life and moved to this market town.

I gaze at the virtually deserted street and feel a sense of calmness amongst my confusion.  This market town, a poignant reminder of some of the worst and some of the best times of my life.

One final look westwards down Derby Street in Leek.  One final moment to savour the spire of Trinity Church, as it points towards the evening glow.  

Now it was time to go home.   Home and back through my front door.  A life of a virtual recluse who for those few magical fleeting moments, went up into this market town, made them laugh, made them smile. 

Warm On A Cold Day.

I am feeling warm
On such a cold day
I look down the hill
Watch the children play
The sun is shining
The snow it doth glisten
Ah the laughter I note
I listen, I listen.

It has been another cold early January day.  The Staffordshire Moorlands were bathed in the winter sun.
What a ideal moment for a walk and appreciate the beauty of a cold, clear, crisp winter's day.
I ventured from my home and took these photographs of Brough Park, in Leek.  To see the children playing, to hear the children laughing, as they frolicked in the snow; was indeed a wonderful sight.

Yes, it was a cold day.  Yet to get out, to immerse myself if the sights and sounds of such a magical day; brought me ever closer to the realisation, that my ongoing journey towards a better, happier life, had taken another positive step forward.  A new decade, a new hope, this I embrace.  I was warm on a cold day.