We had no plans except to meet
a long time since the last
caught up the news before we left
then fifteen miles and pretty flags
beside the canal in Ellesmere.
A festival of boats and brass
plant pots,garish paint and dogs
upon the prow, dodging folding chairs
ropes and rings on the tow path gravel.
stalls,organic jams and cakes
smells and thumping diesels.
shapely blouses rainbow in the sun,
floppy hats men cameras and white legs
plastic wind mills, candy floss;
perhaps the last of summer cotton.
Cross the bridge,its horse shoe scratches,
a retriever caked in mud
its lead about my legs,owner in despair,
none fell in that day but it was close
and if we had few would care
its only four feet deep.
through the meadow by the cut
to find a quiet lane
memories of childhood spring
the glistening mere,beyond the hill
white steam launch from a railway brochure,
seagulls,ducks and incontinent geese.
Coffee,cream and Bakewell tart
in the rebuilt cafe,closed two anxious years,
no cosy drapes or carpets no feathers on the walls
no scratches on the table, matching salt and pepper
Fifteen miles again,kiss goodbye,
come again next week,walk the canal,
not Ellesmere but Llangollen.