Excalibur - Excalibur - 12

Musings on an Atlantic crossing, 12News WithdrawalTell me that brexit’s been cancelledTell me an equal pay deal’s been reachedTell me that fracking’s been haltedTell me that trump’s been impeachedTell me that poverty’s endedTell me global warming has ceasedTell me there’s food for six billionTell me we’re getting world peaceTell me refugees are now welcomeTell me nhs treatment stays freeTell me all humankind stands togetherElse i think we’ll just stay out at sea. read more...

Excalibur - Excalibur - 13

Musings on an Atlantic crossing, 13Are We Nearly There YetSilks and spices, silver and gold,Pearls, jewels, riches untold,Proof god is dead (it’s just natural selection),New land for the queen, new folk for taxation.Treasure and glory the old sailors sought,At the end of this watery path.There are wonders untold on those glittering shores,But all that I want is a bath.. read more...

Excalibur - Excalibur - 11

Musings on an Atlantic crossing, 11Two-upJust the two of you sailing?So romantic! they criedAll alone on the seas, Just the stars for your guide.Holding hands as sunsets blaze,Moonlit suppers and dolphin displays!Just the two of us sailing, so romantic, i agreedNot a day passed without heart-melting deedThe strong hand on my strap as i puked off the sideThe extra hour’s sleep when it’d been a rough rideThe smiling ah well when i gybed the boatThe cheery response to yet more beans on toastThe kiss on my head last washed who knows whenI fell in love all over again. read more...

Excalibur - Excalibur - 10

Musings on an Atlantic crossing, 10NeptuneBlack shark eyesHagfish mawMuscles of slab rockBloated fleshRazor scalesCrusted barnacle heartDon’t be fooled by his crown of pink coral And carnival court of colourful fish.His robes are the sails of a wrecked Indies traderHis shield is the hull of a torn submarineHis wrath is hundred foot thundering waveHis roar is a deafening wall of tsunami He will pick you up and hurl you clean from coast to coastHe will knock you down and drag you deep to the icy black.All hail NeptuneHail, and beware. read more...

Excalibur - Excalibur - 9

Musings on an Atlantic crossing, 9The Sadly True Ballad of the Clumsy SailorVerse 1What has she done now, the clumsy sailor?What has she done now, the clumsy sailor?What has she done now, the clumsy sailor?Early in the morningV2Got a riding turn on the main mast halyardV3Caught a reefing line in her trainer shoelaceV4Smashed the skipper’s mug, for christ’s sake don’t tell himV5Wrenched out all the wires from the battery monitorV6Spilled a cup of tea on the paper chart pileV7Lost a spanner down the bilge and it’s gone foreverChorusHeigh ho she’s gone and gybed itHeigh ho she’s gone and gybed itEtc. read more...