NE63 Haiku

Heartbeat racing now Son shining, breeze pushes back This hero retires The 20th August 2026, 18:30... a date and time I won't forget. Now you're probably wondering why. That's a very good question, and I promise I'll get back to why. Just humour me for a moment... It's nearing the end of the kids' summer holiday from school. It's pre-season for Max's football team, and the lads have been training throughout the six weeks off, having the odd friendly and taking part in a tournament (the less we say about the tournament, the better). The lads have been working hard on their fitness, game tactics and formations. Having been part of the coaching team, it's been great watching them grow, especially Max. It's also a privilege to help shape these young kids' lives. To help them not only on their football journey, but also as they develop into young men. Learning resilience, patience, teamwork, how to win graciously and how to lose. Now, Thursday...

Green rows, red berries Summer warmth beneath blue skies Memories linger

Mourning sky weeping Lilies, daffodils, tears, joy Rest well, sweet Maureen

Chirping and singing  Warming light casts over us The whistle awaits

Golden hour rays Aromas slowly drift Laughter lifting soul

Confused sky, wet, dry Ground soft underfoot, grass slick journey comes to end

Spring leaves sway gently Rain drops cling to wood and steel Holiday come to end

Slow moments passing Sunlight, sunset, darkness comes Duties for family

Rays of golden light Goosebumps in the spring breeze Efforts came up short

Showers start and stop Golden sunset breaks through grey Mirrors progress made

Hazy dreams slipping World turns, sun warm, life passing Night shift awaits now

Sea waves catch sunlight Sand golden and stretching wide Childhood memories I had a bit of time to spare, so I pulled up at Church Point, looking out over the bay. The sky was mostly clear, just the odd white cloud drifting by. There was a light sea breeze coming in — not cold, just enough to remind you where you are. It’s a place I’ve been to more times than I could count growing up. Days spent on the beach with my brothers, parents, aunties, uncles, and cousins. The kind of days that felt like they went on forever. Building sandcastles. Digging holes deep enough to bury each other in. Picnics on the sand. Ice cream never lasted long enough. Standing by the water, trying our luck with a fishing line, more for the moment than the catch. Sitting there now, watching the water move in and out, it all started to come back. Not all at once, just little pieces drifting in, the same way the clouds were overhead. There wasn’t much else to do in that moment. Just sit, wait for the time to pass ...

Whistle ringing loud Off-white clouds blanket the sky Pride bursts from my chest There was a familiar feel to the morning. A 10am kick off under an off-white sky, clouds stretched out overhead while the wind came and went in bursts. It felt like good football weather. Coming into the game, it carried a bit of weight. First one back after last week’s defeat, and for the opening 20 minutes, it showed. The lads didn’t quite look themselves. A little off it, a little slow to settle. But they found their way into it. We went 1–0 up after 12 minutes. A solid start. Three minutes later, the opposition pulled it back. Then not long after, they went ahead, making it 2–1. It felt like one of those games that could drift away if we let it. Right before half time, we found the equaliser. 2–2 going into the break. The game felt intense. Not frantic, just heavy with importance. At half time, it wasn’t about tearing into them — just staying positive, encouraging them to trust themselves and put the w...