12th August

Yucca plants originate in arid, dry deserts and for once the large yucca on the cliff is feeling entirely at home. It has produced a tall inflorescence of paper white bell-like flowers. It is one of the few flowers enjoying the heat. Large areas of grass are now wearing away so that those visitors who can bear the blazzing afternoon sun are picnicking on bare ground. All afternoon a pall of white smoke stretches from the burning heath land in Studland right across the harbour . It is drifting in the opposite direction from the packed Bournemouth beaches but there is a smell of smoke in the air. The razor-sharp sun is now difficult to endure for more than a few minutes but the beach goers still love it and fill the sea to a considerable way from the tide’s edge. Even the gulls are sounding anxious as they scrabble for food. Tonight there should be fireworks on the pier.

From 12th August 2021

A brisk wind and a furrowed sea. But there is a clear sky tinged with primrose yellow and delicate pink where the sun has slipped behind the dark pines. The last rays pick out the chalk stacks with a brilliant peach light.

From 12th August 2019

Distant laughter hangs on the evening air unresolved as the call of the homeward bound gulls in the fading light. Everything seems oddly tranquil after the scurry of the recent gales. The moon, nearly full now, makes a washed pink path across the wrinkling, darkling sea.

From 12th August 2015

Massive thunderstorms approaching from Channel Islands