October
Ashley's gone and bought herself a pug
Dad gave a chuckle and mum gave a shrug
Sister and Sam now own a living face scrunch
Created by someone who drank too much punch
By all accounts he's frantic and cute
He's getting dog training so stays rather mute
They called him Henry, not your classic dog name
But that's Ashley - anything normal is lame
The grub at the pub is nothing to snub
A taste bud delight, but not good for the tub
Burgers and bangers and chips and peas
Tingling ales to make you weak at the knees
There's always a barman who's worked there too long
He grumbles at a sneeze or the change of a song
A worn pool table and a name like 'The Thirsty Goat'
Bellies bobbling in, looking to wet the throat
A Sunday kickaround for an hour or so
Then off on the bus to meet up with Jo
We made our way down the famous Brick Lane
Had a curry with wine (the curries are insane)
We bounced between pubs on this brisk Sunday night
The wallets were loose despite budgets being tight
Jo's boyfriend hid kitchen implements around their house
He's not going to make a functional spouse
Not being there for my brother's 21st
Did not at all help the sore head that I nursed
Thankfully I had given a speech to a friend to say
Which I heard live on the phone from so far away
I miss the big guy he's a really good friend
And aside from the party I did not attend
We're always together, a bit of back and forth
I can't wait to see him in a month up North
Kiwi catchups in London town
The myth, the legend, Andy Brown
Where kiwis gather, more always arrive
There might have been four or even five
Inevitably there were drinking games
Not many compliments mostly calling names
There was no winner, only foggy heads
The couch was mine as there were no beds
Lara and I went for a run
Well more of a jog, this wa for fun
The leaves clung on, turning red in the process
We aimed for the hill, to great success
These woods are enchanting in the half light
The wind gave a cool but gentle bite
Our sprint to the finish ended under Chester's tree
Where the old dog's spirit still wanders, carefree
Cousin Lara has a wedding to plan
I'm staying out of the way if I can
The thing is I can't, they want me around
I smile and nod and don't make a sound
The level of detail is terrifying
If I was in charge I'd already be crying
Apparently a year is not long to go
I must prepare for my guitar cameo
London on foot
It's better staying put
I spent all day
Trying to locate
The Museum of Natural History
Conspiracy or mystery
I made it! At last
I dove into the past
A cousins reunion to go down in history
There was frivolity and laughing and a touch of mystery
It started at the pub as all good nights do
There was food for Africa and perhaps Europe too
We migrated to a bar for cocktails and a sausage roll
The antics started spiralling out of control
Our final stop was a place specialising in waffles and duck
We didn't get in which was, I think, a stroke of luck
The skies were blue so up we went
The propeller began our wobbly ascent
Uncle Graham (or Captain Biggles)
Was our Top Gun pilot throughout the giggles
The little Cessna bounced around
The feeling of flight was quite profound
As the co-pilot I had to stay alert
Several other planes caused us to divert
I took the frighteningly expensive train
Off to London with the promise of rain
I met up with Ollie for a pint or two
After so long away there was fat to chew
South America and London are on different planets
London is like a feeding frenzy of gannets
Different but not necessarily worse
To shun anything new would be a curse