The Ramble
Did you go on the ramble? So did I,
A
lovely day with a clear blue sky,
We set off from Hambledon Church at
noon
With maps supplied by Ruby and June.
With dogs on the scent, we climbed the
track
Andrew counted us out, then he counted us back,
With Chris and her
stick ahead of the file
We spread out behind for nearly a
mile.
We wondered in passing what had happened to
Doug
We guessed him at home with his feet on a rug.
The Vicar was sorry,
he said he can’t come
He’d a long standing date to have tea with
his mum.
We came out of the woods and could just see
the sea
The views were quite something, I think you'll agree.
Little
villages nestled in valleys below
Signposts pointed the way we should
go.
Stephen and John shared a Walkman for
two
So kept close together the whole walk through,
Shoulder to shoulder
for mile after mile
Nearly head over heels when they came to a
stile.
We travelled on further across field and
o’er road
In some of the youngsters the tiredness showed.
But
nearing the pub we all felt much fitter
At the thought of a pint of Ushers
best bitter.
The pub was quite packed, the bar one long
queue
But that wasn’t as bad as the one for the loo.
But soon we
were served and went out on the green
To admire the sheer style of the
family Dinneen.
We were pestered at lunch by a sad looking
mule
As we sat on the grass and tried to keep cool.
Picnics were opened
in cordial mood
Whilst the Handys indulged in Italian
food.
The Curate had joined us by driving his
car
To meet at the pub and enjoy a quick jar.
With so many gathered, so
hale and so hearty
It resembled the scenes at the Epiphany
party.
At around 2 o’clock the landlord called
time
So we set off in force to begin the steep climb.
We retraced our
steps on the Wayfarers Way
To complete the 7 miles of walking that day.
Tony Rice-Oxley