ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

We've bought our new boat - except that it's over twenty years old!


Boat on the Beach

© Stephen Whiteside 1.11.2012

The sky is grey. The water, too.
We haven't got a lot to do,
Just pull the boat up on the sand
And stretch our weary limbs. Life's grand.
Try our hand at catching tea -
Pluck some tucker from the sea.
If we miss, well that's all right.
We'll try again tomorrow night.
We won't starve - we've packs and tins
Enough to feed our hungry grins.
Wind is chilly. Rain might fall.
Did I mention life's a ball?
Tent is sturdy. Bags are warm.
Gear enough for any storm.
Drag the boat high up the beach,
Well beyond the breakers' reach.
The Moon is lost behind the clouds,
Framed by triangle of shrouds.
Owls hoot close, and that is that.
(Above, the silhouette of bat.)

Is it legal, where we camp,
Bereft of barbecue and ramp;
Lacking toilet blocks and bins?
Will they fine us for our sins?
They will have to catch us first.
We'll be gone 'ere dawn has burst.
They can charge our foaming wake
As we go skating 'cross the lake.
They can book the silver foam
That trails from our aquatic home.
They can dock the liquid sea
That burbles till eternity.

Happy days ahead Stephen - a lovely light hearted poem, you sound like you're into the swing of it already

Did you get the boat you wanted?

Cheers

Maureen

Thanks, Maureen.

Yes, we got pretty much exactly what we wanted. We were talked out of wooden boats - they're all just too old now, and falling to pieces.

So we got an old glass National E (formerly known as "Lazy E"). It looks ideal. It's a fifteen foot long open dinghy with centre board, but enough room in the cockpit for a passenger or two, plus tent, sleeping bags, food, etc. It's about twenty five years old, and has several sets of sails that all look equally blown out and stretched. It won't be fast, but that's OK. The price was definitely right. We still don't know if she's seaworthy, but she probably is, and that'll be part of the fun, anyway.

I'll keep you posted...