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:
Wreck at Benacre

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Poem by Richard Maslen:
Wreck at Benacre

Wreck at Benacre

On the beach,
Sideways and hull-down,
Trying hard in the Winter sun
To gleam and be alive,
A strange boat
Stranded in the storm,
Gradually tilts and gives up hope.
One thin line
Strains to the hidden anchor
Just off-shore.
The screw has gone,
Small splits appear,
Sprung boards allow the salt water
A first, tentative grip,
Bringing her to her knees
On the beach.

Foreign, she is,
From up the coast.
Compact, head-butting
And easily rolling
Over the unforgiving
North Sea's tricky underwater map.
Shifting sand,
Covering and uncovering
Rusting defences
Slowly eroding in the salt water.

Either the sea,
Intolerant of error,
Will break her
Or the salvage crew,
Wearily tramping the sand,
Will take her.
Slowly stripping her bare,
Her interior secrets
Exposed and vulnerable.

Next week, next month,
The beach will have returned
To wildness and to peace.
A place of detritus,
The bones of fish,
Dead gulls and trees
Along the littoral.

From "A Kind Of Heaven" by Richard Maslen.

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!