We all donned our gear, only last Monday
To accompany the Minister, as invited that Sunday,
To raise a few pounds and so to help him along,
These smart chapel members, feeling keen, fit and strong,
Four blokes and three ladies, setting forth from the church,
Fortified with good coffee, each arose from their perch,
Ten-fifteen, strolling westward, no thought of a jog,
Seven purposeful hikers and Pete Greenfield's dog.

Sprightly down Fleetgate and then Waterside,
Left and right to the riverbank, to see what state the tide:
Water-level just falling, sky and weather set fair,
Due west past Blyth's brickyard, Pebbly Beach and aware
Of the lakes and the chalets, the goose always-nearby,
And a play ball for Patsie, from now on never dry.
Such inviting clear water, "Fetch it then" and a plunge,
Time after time, retrieving, that mouthful of sponge.

On again past the chalk-pits, Barton Cliff, Chowder Ness,
The old wharf where that schooner was moored under stress
From the currents and eddies, until scuttled to serve
Chalk-loading sloops; countless tons in reserve
But those blast-days were numbered, soon the cliff works were still,
Melton Ross on the the Wolds out-produced Leggott's skill.
So we leave all their waste-piles, overgrown and unsteady
We press on past the hall to the chapel left ready.
A quick swill at the tap a snack and a "call"
Yours Truly butti-less fed kindly by all.
Scraps too for the pup, what a well-mannered dog,
Then all back on your feet, get on with the slog.

No blisters no problems no grumbles, no snags,
Just now pleasant walking, no footwear in rags,
No dark clouds, no raindrops, two cameras in use,
As the going's so easy, constant photos to choose
A field full of ripe wheat, combines midst the dust,
Humber Bridge in the background for the snapshot a must.
Rowdy bikes back and forward, best keep out of the way,
Under the road through the tunnel, now well past mid-day.
Past the farm, then the quarry, final halt on a seat,
Still no need for a "socks-off" to massage the feet.........
Metalled surface to tread on crossing Gravel Pit Lane,
Westfield House, Hello Barton, past Fleetgate gain,
Home-strait pictures all exposures near used.
Full-circle at Trinity, each ego unbruised.
Final photos and thankyous-slight mud from the bog,
But mostly all pristine - - p'raps a bath for the dog!

 TRINITY PAGE   SCRAPBOOK