Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share The South Downs Way
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
The South Downs Way
Clare Balding walks the The South Downs, from Bo Peep to Alfriston, in the company of writers June Goodfield and Lynne Truss. They've both been involved in a project for local people to write a new version of Eleanor Farjeon's poem, A Sussex Alphabet. Eleanor may be best known for the words to the much loved hymn Morning Has Broken. June and Lynne adore the South Downs although Lynne admits to being something of a timid walker, happier to be in a group and to carry a big stick. The day's walk inspired Clare to add her own contribution to the enterprise, after Amanda Elms of the South Downs National Park, explains the lifecycle of the Damselfly
D is for Damselfly
Summer's golden glow started to fade
With a walk ancient footsteps had made
Regular steps along the grassy path
To the rythmic beat of a wooden staff.
Gentle chat as we looked far beyond
When we spotted a stray from the nearby pond
A long insect lying on the ground
Not making a movement or a sound.
Pairs of bright blue spots along its back
Like eyes shining on a cloth of black.
Wings open, their delicate filigree
Paused and framed for all to see.
"What is it doing?" I began,
Ignorant of their brief lifespan.
"It's dying" came the instant reply
I swallowed hard and tried not to cry.
A beautiful creature swift and fast
Living the day that would be its last.
Without a whimper, minus a mess
A Damselfly in silent distress.
Producer: Lucy Lunt.
View all episodes
By BBC Radio 4
4.9
144144 ratings
Clare Balding walks the The South Downs, from Bo Peep to Alfriston, in the company of writers June Goodfield and Lynne Truss. They've both been involved in a project for local people to write a new version of Eleanor Farjeon's poem, A Sussex Alphabet. Eleanor may be best known for the words to the much loved hymn Morning Has Broken. June and Lynne adore the South Downs although Lynne admits to being something of a timid walker, happier to be in a group and to carry a big stick. The day's walk inspired Clare to add her own contribution to the enterprise, after Amanda Elms of the South Downs National Park, explains the lifecycle of the Damselfly
D is for Damselfly
Summer's golden glow started to fade
With a walk ancient footsteps had made
Regular steps along the grassy path
To the rythmic beat of a wooden staff.
Gentle chat as we looked far beyond
When we spotted a stray from the nearby pond
A long insect lying on the ground
Not making a movement or a sound.
Pairs of bright blue spots along its back
Like eyes shining on a cloth of black.
Wings open, their delicate filigree
Paused and framed for all to see.
"What is it doing?" I began,
Ignorant of their brief lifespan.
"It's dying" came the instant reply
I swallowed hard and tried not to cry.
A beautiful creature swift and fast
Living the day that would be its last.
Without a whimper, minus a mess
A Damselfly in silent distress.
Producer: Lucy Lunt.
More shows like Ramblings
View all
In Our Time
5,406 Listeners
The Documentary Podcast
1,854 Listeners
F1: Chequered Flag
786 Listeners
Global News Podcast
7,816 Listeners
Scotland Outdoors
238 Listeners
6 Minute English
1,782 Listeners
Learning English Conversations
1,070 Listeners
Saturday Live
38 Listeners
Gardeners' Question Time
277 Listeners
The Archers Omnibus
374 Listeners
Desert Island Discs
2,074 Listeners
The Food Programme
261 Listeners
The Infinite Monkey Cage
2,062 Listeners
Newshour
1,059 Listeners
The Kitchen Cabinet
119 Listeners
The Plodcast
109 Listeners
Wild Tales | Nature Podcast
106 Listeners
Folk on Foot
64 Listeners
Americast
768 Listeners
You're Dead to Me
3,037 Listeners
Life Changing
67 Listeners
A Life More Wild
16 Listeners
Off Air with Jane & Fi
147 Listeners
Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
296 Listeners
Young Again
69 Listeners