Here in our Turkish garden
we have a central water feature 
Two ponds joined by a waterfall
home to a mysterious creature  

No one has ever caught a glimpse 
he always stays hidden out of sight 
I have searched for him many times 
morning to noon and into the night

We may never have spotted him
but everyone knows that he lives there 
He often gives himself away 
when he replies to t...

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A very sad day has come 
as a brave lady loses her fight for life
Known as Bowelbabe to the world 
also a daughter, sister, mother and wife 

By sharing her own experiences
she broke down many barriers
Her aim to challenge taboos
and change the conversation around cancer

She leaves behind a great legacy 
one that will save lives for years to come 
In the final weeks of her young life 
...

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In a house built from wooden doors 
how to enter is not so obvious 
To fill the front door space with a gate 
quite simply a work of genius 

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Crystal clear sea
lapping across the pebbled shore
Shallow water
skimming over the ocean floor 

Cerulean hues
shimmering in the sunlight 
Like dancing diamonds 
dazzling and sparkling bright  
 

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I read one of those funny stories posted on Facebook earlier I have tried to rewrite it as a poem. Hope this allowed.  

My flight was being served by an obviously gay flight attendant, who seemed to put everyone in a good mood as he served us food and drinks.
As the plane prepared to descend, he came swishing down the aisle and told us that "Captain Marvey has asked me to announce that he...

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I love sunny summer days

with mornings as bright as can be

The sun bursting with energy

shining down on you and me

The warm evenings that follow

perfect for a riverside stroll

Getting out in the countryside

good for the heart, mind and soul
 

Photo credit Dr Amir Khan

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A dreamy orange sunrise

above the Yorkshire countryside

The dark night blasted away

as the sun sets the sky alight

A symphony of colour

eventually settles on blue

A grand way to start the day

taking in this most perfect view

Photo credit Dr Amir Khan

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In my garden today 
a real summer solstice highlight
Rising up from the earth 
colourful lanterns shining bright 

Exquisite and elegant 
pretty shades of soft pastel  
Japanese Primrose in bloom
delicate and beautiful

Photo Credit Dr Amir Khan

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The most exotic looking plant
has to be the Passion flower 
Enjoying the recent heatwave 
blooms boosted by solar power
 

Photo credit Dr Amir Khan

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Born thousands of years ago
but still magnificent, in his prime
Majestic in stance and stature 
he has weathered well, over time

He sees every sunrise  
does not shelter from the midday sun
He basks in the evening sunset glow 
when the day is nearly done 

From his commanding view point 
he can see far across land and sea  
Watching over our Turkish town 
there’s nothing he does not ...

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The cow was in the play park 
enjoying the Turkish morning sun
Looking at the seesaw and swings 
he said "they look like lots of fun" 

Watching on from the stone wall
was the most mischievous cat 
He said "you won’t fit on them
all that grass has made you fat"

"Well" said the cow with a snort
"that’s enough of that back chat"
He turned and swished his long tail
seeing off that catty...

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Super yachts take their chosen spot
in the small Turkish bay
Some come to stay for a few weeks
some stay for just a day 

Hundreds of millions of dollars
floating around on the sea
Wealth difficult to comprehend  
for the likes of you and me 

As I am very nosy 
I look them up on an app
Using marine traffic
I can follow them on the map

All vessels can be viewed here
marked by symb...

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Woken by the call to prayer
at the break of a new dawn 
In the distance a cockerel crows
I rub my eyes and yawn 

I greet the early morning 
with a refreshing cup of tea 
Taking in my surroundings
soaking up the tranquility 

The pool reflects the pale blue sky
the grass still wet with diamond dew
Vibrant blooms dazzle and delight 
in shades of pink, red and blue 

I listen to chirp...

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Even the sunny weather 
does not lift my mood today
Even the sweetest bird song 
does not chase my cares away

Even a lovely long walk
does not do what it should do 
Even an afternoon nap
does not make me feel less blue

Even your kindest actions 
do not calm my senseless fear
Even your most heartfelt words 
do not bring me any cheer

Even though there is nothing 
anyone can say or...

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Well it has been a lovely day here
the sunshine came out to play
But we couldn’t go anywhere  
as the plumber was on his way 

We made the appointment by phone
for him to visit us today 
He said he could fix the shower 
if we would be prepared to pay 

It seems he had other plans
whatever they were he didn’t say 
He didn’t think to let us know
what a waste of a lovely day 😡

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Just playing around in the late evening sun
Our five baby rabbits are having some fun

In complete disguise beside the grey stone wall
Quite difficult to see as they are so small 

They come to feed on the lawn that’s freshly cut 
Easily spotted flashing their white bob scut

Spooked by a distant noise they stop their play
Faster than a bullet they scamper away 

I imagine them as Pott...

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Apparently Kirkby Lonsdale is hosting a poetry festival in August. Hope it's ok to share here in case anyone is interested. 
https://www.kirkbylonsdalepoetry.co.uk/

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Trying to imagine the conversation between The Queen and Paddington in this beautiful painting by Eleanor Tomlinson. https://www.eleanortomlinsonart.co.uk/

 
"Well that was lots of fun" said the Queen
as she took Paddington by the hand
"The last four days have whizzed by so quickly 
and really been so very grand"

"What shall we do now Ma’am?" Paddington asked 
"should we have another cu...

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Mr and Mrs Woodpecker
took lunch in the garden today
Dining at the feeding station 
ferociously pecking away

Much larger than the other birds 
they make quite an impressive sight
Distinctive red underbelly 
contrast plumage in black and white 

Spooked by our sudden movements 
they take off together in flight
Up and over the open fields
until they are far out of sight 
 

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For this group of mandarin ducks
it was a wet start to the week 
Like the rest of us they are waiting 
for summer to reach its peak

I do love the wonderful sound 
as the raindrops splash onto the lake
And I like to watch the dancing circles 
on the surface that they make 

Photo Credit Dr Amir Khan 
 

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These two beautiful butterflies
put on a magical display
Enjoying a nectary drink
fragile wings fluttering away  

Their perfectly mirrored patterns 
dazzle with colourful delight  
As the most glamorous insects 
perform their graceful dance in flight 

Photo Credit Dr Amir Khan 

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There once was a little lamb
as black as the darkest night 
Apart from his eyes and nose
where he wears a mask of white 

Just like a super hero
in his black and white costume 
Here comes Spiderlamb
star of the next blockbuster cartoon

Photo credit Sue Wilkinson and Herdy UK
 

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So the jubilee celebrations
have been and gone 
A memorable weekend
was had by everyone  

We watched the parades
and all the pomp and pageantry 
The spotlight focused
on the royal family

On Sunday night the party
had to come to a close 
The Queen treated the crowds
with a final wave and pose 

Over the last days 
there had been talk of unity 
Scenes of sharing and caring 
withi...

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Adding a bounty of colourful magic
this gorgeous wildflower meadow
Buttercups, poppies and cornflowers
in vibrant shades of red, blue and yellow

Alive with the buzzing of bees
and fluttering wings of dancing butterflies
A grassy area transformed
into this oasis of nectar supplies
 

Photo Credit Dr Amir Khan

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What a great weekend to remember 
one that will go down in history 
The time the nations came together 
to celebrate the platinum jubilee 

Four days of festivities and events 
great spectacles for us all to see 
From the lighting of flaming beacons 
to the magnificent grand finale 

There was ceremonial processions 
with majestic pomp and pageantry  
A colourful carnival parade 
enjo...

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To mark the platinum Jubilee 
many beacon lightings were planned 
On hills, in parks and town centres
flames could be seen across the land 

To start the evenings proceedings
the first beacon was lit by the Queen 
Soon they appeared around the country 
for miles and miles they could be seen

Once a tool for communication
now a symbol of unity 
A celebratory focal point 
in every commu...

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Almost two hundred years ago
a scene was painted, captured in frame
Although so much in life has changed
elements of this image remain the same

The River Lune still flows to the ocean
sometimes shallow, sometimes deep
In the farmland hidden in the distance 
the farmer tends his cows and sheep

The sun still shines down on the fields
 rain clouds cast shadows on the fells
Gravestones s...

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Spending today quietly at home  
on this jubilee bank holiday 
I hear the thrum of a lawnmower 
and the birds as they chatter away 

The four baby bunny brood have grown 
this morning I spotted five at least
Tentatively, one by one they appear
settling down on the lawn to feast 

Spooked by our resident pigeons
out for their gentle afternoon stroll
They quickly scamper off like a shot
...

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She’s the Queen of the United Kingdom 
and the head of the Commonwealth
The longest ever serving Monarch
for seventy years in sickness and health 

Today, on her platinum jubilee 
we celebrate our wonderful Queen
Seventy years of reign and service 
has never before been seen  

Her constant dignity, style and grace  
is recognised and respected 
Crowds gather to catch just a glimpse 
...

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Never cast a clout till May’s out
so the famous saying goes 
But today is the first of June 
and still the chilly breeze blows

There is a constant threat of rain
and frequent heavy showers 
Not good for Jubilee parties 
but great for summer flowers 

I went to a garden party  
with tea and delicious cakes
The local womens institute 
made plenty of lovely bakes

There was a bottle t...

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Four little baby bunnies
just chilling and munching on the grass
When they run and hop around
they show their white bob tail tufty ass 

They are so cute and cuddly 
I would love to sit them on my knee
But then I would be worried 
about the amount they poop and pee 

So for now I think I’ll leave them be 
as they eat, play, hop and run 
I’ll just watch them from a distance 
as they en...

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