Tuesday, March 7, 2023

My favourite spot- 'Beautiful Bountiful Branscombe'

 To Catherine on her 50th, 2011 celebrated at our favourite spot on the World Heritage Site Jurassic coast at Branscombe, East Devon. This location made the international news in Jan 2007 when the 62000tonne MSC Napoli was deliberately run aground in Lyme Bay.






Beautiful Bountiful Branscombe


Beautiful, bountiful Branscombe

Thatched chocolate box by the sea,

Where time stands still at the Fountain Head,

St Winifred’s and Old Bakery

 

Atop the flinty wooded combes surprise

An airfield and donkey sanctuary,

Nestled below Masons Arms, Manor Mill, Great Seaside

Wind down to the Sea Shanty

 

Smell the salt, hear the sound

Of pebbles against the sea, the sea, the sea,

Branoc ale, crabbers boat,

The Forge and Millers Lea

 

Recall one night high on Hooken Cliffs

In a previous century,

When Jurassic coast gave way to undercliff

As land collapsed to sea

 

But now new drama unfolds before our eyes

For all the world to see,

As beautiful, bountiful Branscombe’s mouth receives

Beached monster whale- the stricken Napoli

 

Spewing oil, vomiting cargo,

Thousands come to see, yes to see

And gorge themselves on plenteous bounty

Salvaged from the sea

 

What went wrong, and who keeps what

Are questions for authority,

But beautiful, bountiful Branscombe’s ever on the map

Because of MSC Napoli

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