10th July from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth

As the day progresses, the high cloud becomes thicker and lower until it blots out the sun all together. But there is still a bright band along the horizon. The waves are stiff and starchy and the wind buffets your ears as you stand on the clifftop. Little fishing boats rise and fall on the swell. Summer is temporarily on hold. There is no one making their way down the zig zag to the beach. The beach is largely empty but there are still one or two bathers in the water. Little circles of youngsters huddle together. A mother and child play football on the grass and although the wind keeps rolling the ball away it becomes part of the game. The pigeons are keeping what they think to themselves.

From 10th July 2022

The late afternoon light is sharp and bright. The shadows are dappled and dark. The big leaves of the sweet chestnuts form a sort of green impenetrable wall. An onshore breeze makes the heat bearable. The voices of thousands of visitors, the screams of children, the laughter of those bouncing in the little waves blend together to make that one murmur that means Summer. One or parties have bought sound systems. The subs go wump, wump, wump. Towels and swimming shorts are draped over the cliff top rails in rows. The grass is covered with picnickers and looks like a painting by Georges Seurat. Where cars have been parked in the sun all day, Those who have left the beach have to leave the doors and windows wide open and sit on the pavement. The wildlife has taken refuge in the bushes, today belongs to the humans. #bournemouth #westcliffgreen #summer #july 

From 10th July 2021

The soft summer rain is joyous an uplifting. Falling straight down from the windless, grey dawn sky it patters on the tree canopy above with a continuous, reassuring sound that is underlined by the cooing of a pigeon on a high branch. A wren challenges me noisily from a bush. Everything is in full leaf so the sound accompanies me from pine grove to the cliff top. The rain patters on the ilex trees, on the gorse bushes and hazel brakes, on the grassy places, the yarrow and medick. The sea seems distant and calm. Pigeons hunch up on the handrails and benches. They can't be bothered to move as I approach. Blackbirds love the rain as it brings the worms to the surface of the softened turf and they can make a good breakfast for the kids.

From 10th July 2010

It's been a long day already - swimming in the sea before brekfast, lunch on the balcony, beach party tonight. Phew what a scorcher