Southwold's model yacht pond, and the regattas held there every summer, typifies the appeal of Southwold and area for family holidays. Beach, sea, countryside and lovely Suffolk skies!

Poem by Richard Maslen:
The Fig Tree

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Poem by Richard Maslen:
The Fig Tree

The Fig Tree

There is
Some Dionysian connection
Here beneath the tree.
Its leathery leaves
Late this year.
Large enough now
To cover Adam's endowment,
Eve's mounting embarrassment.
The green roughness
Raising awareness
Of new fleshly delights.
Skin abraded gently
And not without pleasure.

There is a coolness here.
Hard by the house,
A shadowed sussurus
Making no impression
On the bricks.

Planted close to the wall,
Its tap root
Deep in the sandy earth,
Probing the moisture
Held in some cistern,
Filled with rain
And occasional flooding
From the river.
Whose saltiness
Silvering the trunk,
Drops the fruit
Before their time.
Allowing us the shade
In lieu.

The presence of the God is here
Under the leaves' green beneficence
A cool umbra over us all,
As we lift the wine
On Summer evenings,
Before we drink
And know his scented breath.

Back to the Richard Maslen Poem List

Some Favourite Websites For July 2025:

Chris Doyle PhotographyBeautiful Photos of local nature and recent horse riding events

View extensive online galleries of recent horse shows, show jumping, cross country and other events as well as galleries of local wildlife. Prints are available to order online.

Green Haven Holidays - Wheelwrights CottageWonderfully rural ecologically and economically friendly cottage for two

Set in the heart of the village of Rumburgh, close to the Suffolk Heritage Coast, Wheelwright’s Cottage makes an ideal holiday retreat for two or three people. The light and airy open plan cottage is the old wheelwright’s workshop and is renovated to an excellent standard, retaining many of the original features, including beams and oak flooring.

Juliet Penwarden CoachingJuliet Penwarden Coaching - Horse riding and care

Juliet is an experienced and qualified coach who places a strong emphasis on harmony between horse and rider and takes great pleasure in helping partnerships progress, whatever their goals.

Halesworth Local Food DatabaseA directory of high quality local food producers and retailers

Halesworth and the Blyth Valley enjoy easy access to all kinds of amazing local food producers. There are organic farms, rare breed farms, artisan cheese producers, several local breweries and independent shops selling this wonderful local food

PJN Motor EngineeringVery high quality local sevice

PJN Motor Engineering has been established in Wenhaston for many years and is based on providing a very high quality repair and maintenance service for all car and motorcycle types. Check them out if you need a quick fix or a full overhaul!