The Bonding Forged!

Echoing the travel plans of last year’s motion,
We are delivered to the short-cut to catch our train!
Darkness descends as we rattle down the rails,
Like exited children – upon an adventure – there and back again!

We begin with a game of musical chairs – as we board the Double Decker Bus,
Leading us free – of cycle city – and the glaring of its lights!
Within the blinking of an eye – an hour or so goes by,
Alighting from the un-natural half-light – into the darkness of winter nights!

A welcoming with a friendly bear-hug – seasonal greeting for Winter Retreat,
Paviland our connection as our chariot awaits – offering its roomy hold!
Real warmth within our joyous threads of words – as destination draws us near,
A waiting with its timeless doorway – returning from history and years of old!

Redefining the parameters – over memory’s threshold,
We raise a toast of greeting and the Mead doth flow!
We deliberate a while with the changing pages and soon we are heartily fed,
Sharing the banter of memories – before the land of sleep says it’s time to go!

At the dawning of the morning where the light is shy,
We ease our way calmly into the day!
My smoke-rings play – until they melt away,
As memories of choice phrases – lead my mind astray!

Forming a gathering we head for the Ridgeway,
Where Wayland Smithy calls us home!
Dressed for the occasion we share our stories,
With memories of life and pilgrimage – engaging the prequel to begin our tome!

We close with a toast and candles flaming,
Framed in the entrance – away from the breeze!
With each in turn we retreat our retiring,
Sharing a spontaneous toast with the visitors – before we return to the trees!

We leave to the calling of Wayland wood,
The echoes of distant whispers leading us in!
In a quest for landmarks to gain our bearings,
The upside down woman – in the trees to begin!

With Woodhenge pencilled in for the whole dynamic,
Consensus is reached to the lay of the land!
Content in the knowledge – the flooding of memories,
As we return to the ridgeway – where the Spindle Tree takes its stand!

Capturing the moment for future contemplation,
A splash of colour – amidst the withdrawing winter tones!
Rolling down the hill – to where the soup takes off the chill,
With a flushing of the cheeks and a warming to the bones!

In due course there’s a gathering with the Paviland Stone,
Open to the elements like never seen before!
Sharing a connection with the reaching of our roots,
Raising a toast – with the Burford Goblet – to the echoes of evermore!

Feeling the connection – the energy of memories,
The threads that tell their story with the stone!
The touch of hands – with the timely flowing sands,
With the lighting of our lanterns – out of so much more than love alone!

A bonding forged – with the will of fortune,
With its web of generations following different paths!
With the faith of understanding – we hold our connection,
Sharing with the spirit of memories – as they join us on our path!

With the coming of the closing – we find the warmth of celebration,
Raising a toast as we head for the fire!
The wanderlust party draw up a route to the Ale house,
Past fancy fencing and secret trails with the willing of desire!

Thumbing through memories – formed over time with generations,
Filling in the jigsaw – missing pieces – with the sharing of a smile!
With the recounting of stories – reminiscing favourite tales,
We remembered fondly the child in the man – in reflection for a while!

With a contented glow – we take the hill nice and slow,
Stepping out of the darkness – where a fire goes up in flames!
With the gathering swell of company – we toast our seasonal retreat,
And we settle to dinner – as always a winner – a feast to wide acclaim!

Wearing our hearts upon our sleeve – through the weave of the eve,
The Wine and Mead – lubricates the conversational seed – late into the deep!
Beyond the light – of fires burning bright – to where the embers rest their glow,
The late night sky clears – as the star shine re-appears and we all turn in to sleep!

So soundly a slumber – after the day and its becoming,
A restful comfort for the peace of mind!
A new day dawning – with its fading mists of morning,
To our thoughts we listen – as the cobwebs glisten – with the memories defined!

Ripples dilate with time cast stories – sharing in the pride of our personal glories,
Remembering the good – as we knew we would – in the keep of inner light!
With my regular trips to the grounds – with their new sights and sounds,
I felt my connection with the Paviland Stone – in all its kindred might!

oOo