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AMB Original Poetry, Tunbridge Wells (2026)

21/10/2025

Eclectic rainbow
Especially on show
As the rain meets sun
These sightings stun

Seen as I swam
Minded to think how glam
Sights like this for free
So fill me full of glee

Remember to be outside
You never need abide
By any rules or fancy gear
Just let your thoughts sear

Enjoy the view ahead
Swim or walk instead
This finish to my swim
Fills my heart full to the brim ❤️

30/10/2022

Musing after a week away from the grind
Sometimes we do travel blind
Seeing clearly in broad daylight
Things that frighten us in the night

I've travelled a road of challenge and grief
I'm not about to let time be my thief
Around me there is life to be enjoyed and had
I'm not going to let it be just a fad

Too short to worry about a passing post
It can be a jolt when you need it most
Those that come and go I do let it show
If you mean something to me sure I know

I may be back to the grind this week
I'm looking ahead to give my calendar a tweek
There's too much on the work rather than fun
I'm looking to get out more in the sun

Enjoying challenges borne of winter swimming
Admiring the water as it sparkles glimmering
Join me if you dare and are bold
The joy and friendship warm even if the water's cold.

Anne-Marie Billingham 30/10/22

30/10/2022

Looking out to sea
Was relaxing and mellow for me
Sometimes so much comes to pass
I'm wallowing and lose my compass

Wishing for the dream beach
I can swim from always in reach
Maybe another love or friend
Will swim too with me to the end

Dreams are earthly and very real
Other times they are so surreal
Looking into the yonder ocean blue
I'd love life to have a steamier hue

Be careful in wishing
Your mind might be fishing
Into your inner desire
But I haven't lost my fire

Dreaming off into the waves again
I think time to move before the refrain
Losing yourself in reverie is so calm
I'm loving the chance for oceanic balm.

Chesil Beach 25/10/22

30/10/2022

Glimmering
In front of me Shimmering
I want to chase the light
Before it becomes the night
This magical view
I needed to eschew
The benefit of getting about
Regularly for your shout

The sunlight against the sea
Stretching into the distance with glee
It's tantalising me like a magical spell
Come follow me I know ye well
I zoomed in as far as I could
Tempting to stray further if I should
Its captured me now oh beautiful place
So near but so far from the race.

Views from Tout Quarry, Isle of Portland 27/10/22

30/10/2022

Ode to Sassy

My nightmare navigation device
She needs putting on ice
The programmer needs an upgrade
So Sassy can put others in the shade
I don't like style of U turn
They make me feel very stern
I'm sure they are not legit
Not across a dual carriageway eejit

I don't like going twice
Around a roundabout even thrice
Cos signage does not exist
I'm sure you getting the gist
Seeing the M3 twice today again
Tired of the 'wot more traffic ' refrain
Fascinating is sitting in incessant queues
Mate it really gives me travel blues

Driving off on the A31
I wasn't I saw alone
Turned off Sassy at the switch
Hurray got shot of the electronic witch
It was back to basics for AMB
Alright that's Google Maps to me
Thank goodness no more strident voice
A calmer journey with 'Sassy' on Ice 😆.

Written post an eventual journey home from Dorset on 28/10/22

26/05/2022

Just swimming...in the rain? Why not..

Swimming in the rain 🌧️
With the ducks in refrain
Quackers actually they say
But rounds off my day
Never be without the buzz
It helps me clear out the fuzz 😆

Hiding under shelter to change
Who needs to rearrange
The hail gives free facial
All very very palatial
Exhilarating is the feeling
It can leave you reeling

You've earned the coffee
Or the necessary tea
Some may further partake
Of the naughty devil cake
Rounds the outing off does that
Alongside having the post swimming chat 😆

08/05/2022

Excelling not Rebelling

To be continuously excelling
I find not always compelling
To number crunch
Continuously makes me metaphorically want to punch
Those creators of Excel hell
How did we used to do things well

We talked
We might even have walked
Discussed over a drink
Priorities in an eye blink
Now we must robotically click
Or frantically beat the rush and tick

This time of year
Is too close to be clear
If it wasn’t for my time swimming outside in the water
My courage and purpose workwise would start to falter
Time to re-think and destress
Before Monday cometh bringing more duress

Before those who rush to judge
Consider it must be better now back to the office drudge
I give my organisation more than my official conditioned time
The commute is spent working amidst returning to Big Ben’s chime
Socially the office is great and to have colleagues around
However many still remotely meet and other challenges abound

I find now I look on days returning to the fray
Oh bless thee oh timely May
Swimming in the evenings is now returning
I now want shorter days says I frowning
I want to be outside in my fashionable swim gear
Not enduring stress at this time of year

It truly is amazing when I relay
To friends why swimming outside in the aquatic fray
Is such a amazing tonic
When work collides continually manic
I’m so lucky to enjoy being outdoors swimming
Try it then you’ll understand my enthusiasm brimming ..

03/01/2022

Friendship never Wat(v)ers.... :)

A lake of swimmers
Shake hands amongst the shimmers
Of the sun shining amidst the waves
She moves and secretly craves
To let you all know this is true friendship
Stride on and get a grip

Greeting as we do each weekend day
Here we are again we say
We laugh and we onward stride
With our friends at our side
There is out there true support
Indicative of real rapport

Acceptance and realisation
Of our needs to join this regular salutation
She feels and anticipates the invigorating feeling
Be honest the elixir found has no ceiling
Our friendship out there is one of true solidarity
Swimming and laughing in combination is no rarity

This an ode to friendship in part
Respect of differences and similarities apart
Friendship of the aqua variant
Crosses any divide of real life equivalent
Out there in the cold shining lake
Loyalty and survival will no friendship shake

Here's to many more swims in 2022! Sharing a photo taken on New Years Day by the wonderful Jon Bromley Photography as arranged for by TriSwim.

Thanks

Anne-Marie Billingham 03/01/2022

31/12/2021

2021 bringeth forth 2022 - a aquatic review.....

New Years Eve brings 2021 to a close
Many a challenge borne as I strike a pose
Minimalist attire whilst swimming outside
As winter bringeth the cold can we abide
The invigorating pull of the enticing lake
Ensures we all are well jolly awake

2022 brings forth my first ever New Year's Day swim
Many folk diving in with enthusiasm full to the brim
We are managing the challenges of life this way in full
Looking forward to the next occasion things are never dull
I've swum more outside than I ever thought
So much space and friendship I never could have bought

Wanting to wish you all well in the year ahead
Come and join us in the inviting waters instead
Of watching from afar
To swimming outdoors there is no bar
Nor is there any expectation
That you give the lake or sea any more than a salutation

Resolutions I left by the wayside
Preferring to swim with the waves and tide
Subscribing to online fitness challenges to move forth
Waiting for annual forays to Selsey and Borth
Wishing my family and friends a Merry New Year
Lets all enjoy life and push enjoyment up a gear!

All the best all. Thanks for reading.

21/11/2021

Bewl Water Swimming Experiences - Cathartic Winter Swimming :)

Addiction...
Or read a contradiction!
The alluring cold
Packing up my swimming kit feeling bold
Exiting the house
So quietly I wouldn't disturb a mouse

The car shows me it's 5c out
What sends me out and about
Driving down the road
The sun shines and reduces my load
Cannot wait to get into the water
It is so cathartic I will never falter

Arriving early the lakeside is already active
Anglers and Rowers just the Swimmers to dive
Into the bracing cold to uplift my grey cell
As I walk into the lake all is well
I cannot feel my ears anymore
The sun shines how can this ever be a bore

Round the 200m circuit I wend my way
Toes quivering as my boots unzip away
I tread water trying to sort
No impossible that operation I must abort
Ah well my hands I can still at least feel
As the cold waters chill makes this experience so surreal.

Exiting the water I walk to change
The shower never feels warm enough in range
I feel my feet chill and I pull on socks and shoes
No need here for any woes
Armed back in clothes and my DryRobe
With my coffee and chat and now defrosted earlobe...

Feeling the zing
Of this cold water lark is quite a thing
I just cannot stop returning to the lake
Even if I do occasionally get the odd shake
On getting home I feel that readily inspired
I am so happy that all the right factors today conspired..

Thank you for reading,

Anne-Marie Billingham 21/11/21

AMB Original Poetry

21/10/2025

30/10/2022

30/10/2022

30/10/2022

30/10/2022

26/05/2022

08/05/2022

03/01/2022

31/12/2021

21/11/2021

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