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Arts & crafts

“Staycation” – a poem

11 Aug 2022 | Written by By Sandra Falconer

Waves crashing against St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay

Sandra’s 2020 poem, Staycation, perfectly captures the local British holiday which became the only real option for holiday-goers during the early stages of the pandemic. In this instance, Sandra shares her musings on a trip to North Tyneside resort, Whitley Bay, which was sabotaged by Storm Francis.
This is the first of a trilogy of poems, all of which are dedicated to Whitley Bay. ‘The Revenge of Whitley Bay’ and ‘Whitley Bay – an apology’, will be published over the next two Thursdays to conclude the holiday season on a poetic note.

Staycation

We knew it wasn’t Zante

When we booked for Whitley Bay,

But we didn’t bargain for the bile

The weather threw our way.

 

Awoken on our first full day

By seagulls taking refuge,

From stormy seas and driving rain,

We rose and faced the deluge.

 

We squelched around the campsite,

Spent loads in the arcade,

Saw landmarks in the freezing rain,

It didn’t make the grade.

 

No tables left in the park café,

So we took our meal outside,

Shivering in a 9-force gale,

Without a place to hide.

 

The Geordies lacked compassion,

When we moaned about our pain,

They said we’d brought it with us,

‘Could we take it home again?’

 

God led us to the bargains

As we dripped around the shops,

A butter dish in the hospice shop

And brown stuff made from hops.

 

So heartened by our findings,

And reinforced with booze,

We dreamed of sun-soaked beaches,

As we had our teatime snooze.

 

Well, now we’ve packed the car for home,

Storm Francis stowed away?

Because the skies are clearing fast,

How nice for Whitley Bay!

 


What did you think of Sandra’s poem? You can share your reflections with her in the comments below.

And if you have some of your own poetry which you’d like to share with us, please send it over to submissions@thejoyclub.com for the chance to be featured on our blog – we pay for those we publish.

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