To an old friend

Circumstances and life in general can tear friendships apart, People change, life goes on and all thats left is painful memories of losing that bond but also happy ones from all the good times shared.


We used to tell each other everything and now we dont even say hello anymore, things change and suddenly she dont need me to be the friend she once valued so much. I dont know how or when exactly it happened but we drifted from those things that once bound us together and shes no longer the angel in my life. A part of me will always hope that one day we'll bridge this gap but another part sadly accepts that sometimes the only thing to do is to move on with the void that is so hard to fill. There are songs and photos that will always remind me of the times when we had each other to lean on, to laugh with and make memories. Those memories of my best friend that ill cherish forever no matter where i end up or who i meet.

We never said goodbye to our forgotten friendship but now its been buried in the past, ive only got one thing left to say....
Although some things do change, my promise to be there for you hasnt.

The lonely bench

My beach...My bench.
I like to think of it that way at least, as i stroll along the sea front, sorting through my head of cluttered thoughts and breathing in the salty sea air. I have been to some beautiful places in my life, seen the snow-topped mountains of derbyshire, even climbed one, the deep valleys of the lake district and green grassy hills of wales, but nothing beats my bench, my place of comfort.
I reach my destination and take a minute to absorb the scene in front of me when it strikes me that i may not be the only person who thinks of this bench as my own...how many other people have stopped in this very place over time, different people of all ages?
Children have climbed on it, with their rapidly melting ice-cream. Elderly couples have sat on it, with fish and chips, enjoying the waves and memories. Young couples gazing into each others eyes and longing for nothing more than to get away from this very bench, this very town. What things must this weathered bench have seen,what stories could it tell?
Here it sits, in silent solitude, watching the world go by...I like to join it in doing so sometimes.

I dream of travelling, and leaving this small town behind, every day it seems to get smaller and smaller, being right on the coast doesnt help the feeling of isolation, big fish in a small pond they say...destined for bigger things. I only pray this is true.
But where else would i find such a place of contentment...than this worn out companion and the memories of yesterday.

Dont let life discourage you

"Dear Mom and Dad,
Please send money, I’m so broke that it ain’t funny.
I don't need much, just enough to get me through.
Please don’t worry 'cause I'm all right,
I’m playin’ here at the bar tonight.
This time, I’m gonna make our dreams come true.
Well, I love you more than anything in the world...
Love,
Your baby girl."

I know that I’m on my way.
I can tell every time I play.
And I know it’s worth all the dues I pay,
When I can write to you and say...

"Dear Mom and Dad,
I send money. I’m so rich that it ain’t funny.
It oughtta be more than enough to get you through.
Please don’t worry 'cause I’m all right,
I’m stayin’ here at the Ritz tonight
Whaddya know, we made our dreams come true.
And there are fancy cars and diamond rings,
But you know that they don't mean a thing.
They all add up to nothin' compared to you.
Well, remember me in ribbons an' curls.
I still love you more than anything in the world...
Love,
Your baby girl."



** Babygirl By Sugarland **

Derbyshire

Edale, Derbyshire. A beautiful place, deep valleys, blue skies (ish), fluffy clouds, beautiful snow covered mountains...and i had the pleasure of climbing one. What an experience.
After weeks of planning and preporation for what was to be a 28k hike, we set off at the crack of dawn full of eagerness. It was a long journey in cramped conditions, but well worth the wait. Once we got there, we double-checked our equipment, maps and water supply, adjusted our wooly hats, zipped up our waterproof coats and on went the thermal gloves. We set off along a trail that was hardley visable, there was no amazing views yet and no great heights but even so, there was only one word to describe how we felt as we gazed across the miles and miles of snow in front of us and the mountains to our right...invigorated. There was no one to be seen, no street noise, no dogs barking or cars beeping their horns, just snow covered mountains and frozen land.



The track wasnt as straightforward as one might think due to the use of the word trail...it was hard to follow, marshy, wet and muddy, but on we went taking small pleasure in the snow crunching beneath feet and our breath cutting through the cool crisp air.



There were 5 of us altogether and a lot of exited banter, myself being overexited, wasnt paying attention to the trail and my left leg had a near miss with a deep, muddy chasm, but only i would be unfortunate enough to land with my right leg knee-deep in what can only be described as sh*t! However i soldiered on, even with the knowledge that i had tragically lost one of my thermal gloves...perfect, a sodden leg and a frozen hand, what a great way start to an already challenging hike!
When we reached the bottom of the track, we encountered a heap of rubble, posed on top for a few photos...



made a sharp turn left...and was faced with our first challenge:



We stopped for a short break and gazed with awe at this steep climb ahead of us, we knew this needed a head for heights and endurance but the knowledge that the view at the top was going to be spectacular forced us to eagerly pick up the pace and persevere.

It just kept getting steeper....



And steeper.....



And even steeper....



After a lot of clambering over snow-clad rocks, panting, sweating and near-fainting, we finally reached the top!



Sat down, took a much needed rest and enjoyed the breathtaking view.



The hike was not over yet though, a precarious balance along the mountain edge...



A leap across a small waterfall...



A wade through freezing cold water...





And plenty more sweating, balancing, stumbling, laughing, falling, tripping, slipping, climbing, sliding :)
An experience i would gladly do again!