Stream Of Norfolk

You know these roads;

On these tracks, you have waited

Giving proper support to other lives

First there were children

And you waited for them

Sometimes women

In Letheringsett and Glandford

By the source of the Wensum:

Life's tragedies lightened in charity shops and tearooms of Georgian towns: Parkin, Norfolk Shortbread, Biscottis in the farm cafes where young parents in Lycra look like they are still children. 

You still watch with a different level of patience and interest., detached now. 

You are the son of the 3 day week and the father of Lycra.

You are rare in having poverty reward you with a soul but spare you from the disposable income which would haul you round Australia in a Humby. 

You thank someone else's God as you leave Cromer Odeon, shortlisted for Cinema of the year. 

You'd vote, if you could download the Ap. but you can't. There isn't time. 

You don't go into charity shops anymore. 

There's a rat under the shed and that's just the tip of it. 

It has rained every day this September. 

You're ready for the dark nights and you wonder: " Did we look as happy and well as this lot? They seem to have nice cars, great bodies, children, patience and wisdom. They're like a super race. What should we feel guilty about? They don't need Europe - all the world is at their feet. Mark my words." And you do - you write them down only to have your children show you how to turn auto save back on long after you'd lost everything - digitally, that is. 

You may buy a boat.