I was all at sea last Saturday
on a voyage to a village not far away,
A one hour trip along the coast
to take in scenery of which we boast.
Majestic cliffs and hidden inlets
where quaint villages hang like limpets,
sea birds circling overhead
markers for crab pots on the sea bed.

But things don’t always go to plan
we’re in a sea-fret, don’t know where I am,
can’t see a thing but thick white mist,
thoughts of ‘The Triangle’ – get my gist?
The water looks like green olive oil
as through the swell the engines toil.
Hope the RADAR keeps on working,
is that a Gannet up there circling?

At last we reach the harbour mouth,
the village of Staithes has not gone south!
Steep cobbled streets alive with folk and talk
where once Captain Cook did live and walk.
It’s Lifeboat Day, there’s lots of stalls
lined up along the harbour walls.
The rescue craft puts on a display
while lively children swim and play.

For two short hours we stayed ashore
to roam the village and explore,
the little yards and passageways,
there’s so much here to fill the gaze.
But all to soon it’s time to go
back on board the ‘Esk Belle’ and so
it’s been a grand day, we have had fun
and look, now here comes the sun!

The fog is gone, we’re on our way
and we even saw Runswick Bay,
and  Port Mulgraveand Kettleness
our trip has been a great success.
We’ll come again one sunny day
and hope the fog will stay away,
I like it better when I can see
that I‘m not lost and ‘all at sea.’

Jackie S Brooks ©
2^nd August 2004