You Cannot Take It With You

This little ode covers a period from 2001 to present day. We decided that we both wanted to see more of our world. We call it “Doing it before we die.” When we do not feel up to long haul we will look inward to our own country. After all, like many folk, we have seen less of it than the world. In my case I caught the bug from my time in the RN  and promised Wendy I would do my best to take her to the places I had been. We have managed them all except Rio and that is not a safe place to go…so we won’t. At least the children will get the house!

You Cannot Take It With You

Time rolls on the months fly by
Lived many years. Less to die
I will not let my world  unravel
Pack a case, book a flight, now it’s time to travel

We have ben to Singapore and propped up Raffles bar
Orient Express to Bangkok and had another jar
The western coast at Krabi. What a lovely spot
Five days loafing on the beach getting rather hot

Then  we went around the world. Sixty days away
Ten hour flight to Hong kong so that’s another day
Next stop Sydney. We climbed the harbour bridge
Looked straight down at boats below. Vertigo? A smidge

Sailed across to Dunk and walked on  golden sands
We paddled in the azure sea  a cocktail in our hands
Onward drive to Cairns. That trip is not so brief
Jumped off a boat and snorkelled on the Barrier Reef.

Caught a plane, three hour flight and landed in NZ
11,000 miles from home where everyone’s in bed
Another car, drove up north to the somewhere called Pahia
Wendy ran about through the flowers,  singing like Maria.

Bay of Islands, Cape Reinga, Ninety mile, were added to our list.
We saw them all in coach or car. Not a thing was missed.
On a ferry, crossed the water to the southern isle
Many miles, lovely views yet chatting all the while

Here and there, one night stops but never left a mess
Even caught a train. The Trans Alpine Express
We drove many miles, travelling all around
But had a day in a  bus out to Milford Sound

We had spent month in Oz and another month in Kiwi
Now it was the time to rest, took a flight to  Fiji.
Stayed in a  bura on the beach just five yards from the sea.
Superb sunsets, lots of swimming cocktails for our tea

Since then we have travelled far and wide, always with  two cases
Cyprus, Amsterdam, Barbados and cruised to other places.
No matter where go, no matter where roam
We come back to Cornwall it’s always been our home

Oregon next…….to visit friends and go and stay on the western coast.
Shall sit there in morning, looking out sea with coffee and my toast.
I know we travel lots but it really can be said
You should enjoy it now. It’s not easy when you’re dead

Aug 2024