May Time: Fishy Tails. A Call from the Wild.

Hi All,
As you can see, since the last time of posting. I have been laidback and taking it steady, waiting to spring into action.

Well May Day arrived and so, as usual it became incumbent for me to wake up a few trees, so knowing bark is worse than bite, I performed the ceremony on my own trees and then headed out to visit more greenery in the nearby area.

The above pics come from the  Prinknash Abbey grounds, taken on May Day. In the last photo, you can see the walled garden in the distance.


May Bank holiday came and gave us our Euro required summer; which lasted about three days; until normal and sensible  British temperatures prevailed  and our coats went on again.


Later on in the month, feeling the feed for a fresh fish, D. and I found ourselves at the Bibury Trout Farm.

Bibury Trout Farm

Situated, near the town of Cirencester, Bibury is at the epicentre of the Cotswold tourist industry , serving each day mostly visitors from the Far East and the States. Parking is generally a chaotic affair, unless you know, like us, that a short distance away, past the   Swan Hotel and  following the road  two hundred  or so metres up the slope, you will come, on the left to the Bibury Trout Farm Car Park where you will generally find spaces to park.

The farm itself, started originally in the early twentieth century, was further developed in the '60s with its pools and walkways, creating well kept grounds for a relaxing stroll.

I have to say, sitting on one of the thoughtfully  provided benches, gazing at the water, gave the place an almost  zen-like quality, redolent of harmony, contrasting with the teeming trout in the pools. A life on two levels.

We left very satisfied with two big trout to enjoy at  dinner.

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The Last Of The Lion Tamers.

Rising from the green field.

Lit by lights was a

 Red and white striped tent.

The Big Top

I sat with my Mum and Dad on the wooden seat.

taking in the ring, the smell of sawdust and most of all

the metal cage that stood between us .

and wild creatures.

Expectancy and excitement filled the air as we waited.

Previously prancing horses ;high wire dare-devils and

cavorting clowns entertained us, but these were mere

Hors d’oeuvres until the main course arrived 

on their four padded feet.

Then, into the circle of light stepped forward 

A magnificent creature slim, supple and exuding 

authority, the Lion Tamer himself.

Commands were exclaimed, 

the whip was cracked

and there they were four prowling lions,

 just feet away.

We gasped and clapped when he

 ordered them onto blue tables.

One like a reluctant schoolboy slow to obey.

But all under control, by the whip of faith.

The performance was soon over. 

He took his bow and the Tamer and 

 big cats disappeared.

Lions and Tamers no longer required in the

modern circus.

What did he do? 

Exchanging a whip for the bell of a Town Crier 

perhaps, or a gavel as auctioneer.

Who knows?

Life is but a foxtrot. We step sideways to embrace new 

starting points in life, 

whilst the horse of age shortens, 

our gallops and reduces exercise 

until we yearn

for pastures anew, where we can rest,

 reflect and

maybe, just maybe,write poems.

CK !7/05/'18

⚆⚆⚆⚆⚆

"Britain’s last lion tamer has been banned from the circus ring. 

Thomas Chipperfield, the 28 year old scion of a circus family 

was denied by Defra because of his previous 

conduct as a operator of a travelling circus.

 Mr Chipperfield from Winchester had an appeal turned down

 but is planning a further act. 

The Government plans to ban wild animals in English circuses by Jan 2020 "

And so the whirligig of time moves on and summer is before us

with long light nights and cricket on the greens.

Wifi for now 

Ck.