CRUX

We left sunny Spain to start on our cruise
We have done the Med, travers-ed the Suez
Observed the old Sphynx, Cheops pyramid
And King Tuten's tomb, for two or three quid
Throughout Aden's Gulf, awash with the thieves
Who'd take all our ship, without saying please,
Afraid of a fight, we doused our top light
Cruised all through the night, we hoped out of sight.
Pierced Straits of Hormuz, arrived in Dubai
Amazed by the Burj, nigh kilometer high.

We liked the Oman, 'twas spick and 'twas span,
Cochin, to compare, a higgeldy plan
Of fishermen's nets, and grass houseboats too
Iconic Kerala, our photos not few.
And then Singapore, a vivid contrast
Of buildings so tall and traffic so fast
The High Tea at Raffles was ever so smart
We ate cucumber sammies, fine pastries and tart.

(The next day, half cent'ry of years from the start
When we promised each other that we'd never part
We remembered, rejoiced for the wonderful time
We have had with our family in many a clime.
Remembered that when, right after our marriage
And starting our trip in a horsey-less carriage
We journeyed and journeyed and journeyed yet more -
Together we'll journey, right to the last shore).

Our ship is now crammed with some merry Aussies
But we do not mind, for they're our cuzzies
They talk with a flair, and they are quite bright
So,"No worries mate", and, "She will be right!".
Their flag has some stars, although one too many,
(Our flag has but four, the All Blacks some twenty).
The Reef we have skirted, the WhitSundays too
Then Cairns and Queensland - of Brisbane a view
Sydney now beckons, with coat-hanger large
Near which we will anchor this gargantuan barge.

And the Cross we have seen. That Great Southern Cross!
A symbol of home, and a signal of loss
We've left some of us, by the North Pole Star
In the cold and wet. But though we're afar
We sure won't forget the good time we had
Look to the fore and some good times ahead
And so Merry Christmas, be as good as you can
With very much love, from Grandpa and Gran.



1. Departing Brisbane.
2. Arriving (5am!) Sydney.