17th June from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth

A Poragey sky keeps the sun hidden and shadows on the path are only grey and ill-defined. But it is very warm and the ground radiates heat upwards. The acanthus has started to produce flowers and keeps up with its common name of bears’ paws. At the other end of the scale, tiny five petalled mauve wood sorrel hides in the long grass. A heavy duty off shore racer snarls across the bay. In the old pine tree, two willow warblers play kiss chase whilst a blackbird flutes from the topmost branch. This year’s fashion leader on the West Cliff Green is wearing brilliant Hawaiian shirts. Others are playing frisbee or just snoozing in the shade.

From 17th June 2022

By mid morning the high, thin cloud is beginning to pull apart but there is still a blue heat haze across the bay and the Purbeck Hills. The sea, blue, green and silver ruffles onto the flat sands. Distant children's voices carry on the still air up the cliff from the beach. The flowers are a mass of yellow, cats ears, ragwort, medick. A sweet pea which appears every year in the same place struggles up through the long grass with its gaudy pink flowers. The long brown seed heads of the docks sag over under the weight. Crows stand on the fence post their beaks wide open as if gasping for air. Living things seem to be beaten to a standstill by the heat. #bournemouth #westcliffgreen #June #summer

From 17th June 2021

A humid and oppressive afternoon despite occasional drizzly showers. The sun ocasionally appearing like polished steel from behind the duvet of grey cloud. The sea manages to summon up the energy to collapse on the sand with a definite thump. Many flowering plants are well over but the blackberry bushes are in full bloom. Different types and species produce flowers ranging in colour from bright white to purplish pink. Some are folded up and cup like and some flat like a saucer. A breeze springs up pushing the drizzle along and makes a refreshing change.

From 17th June 2020

Thunder storms over Cherbourg and the Cotentin Peninsula. They probably will sheer off towards Portsmouth but there are one or two sporadic outbursts over Brittany which may join together and head this side of the Isle of Wight. I shall definitely be wearing my rubber suit when swimming later.