13th April from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth

The weather is crazy, veering backwards and forwards between bright sunshine with blue sky and dark clouds. Showers interrupt every so often and, at one point, a huge downpouring of hail covers the paths in a matter of seconds. It is April Showers with a vengeance. The wind rises and falls. But the little birds are not daunted and amidst it all one of the pines is hosting a chorus of Great Tits, Blackbird, two robins, a wren and various other songsters that can be identified but just want to join in. And in a nearby gorse bush a Green Finch decides to make its presence felt. The sea is calmer than it has been and out on the horizon the ferries Barfleur and Pelican cross on the horizon. Little boats bob further into the shore. The gorse is brilliant yellow in the sunshine

From 13th April 2022

It's that hustle and bustle week leading up to Easter. Hotels and restaurants are working hard to finish decorating before the rush this weekend. Cars pass by with their windows down. Boom Boom Boom. They go. Oom. Oom. Oom. As they disappear into the distance. And like some mediation ritual Om. Om. Om. Pigeons coo. The sound of the lawnmower is loud in the land. A little party of gold finches tumble through the bare branches of sycamore tree. Their song is delightful and spring-like. The sun is afternoon warm in a blue sky dotted with white mounds of alto-cumulus clouds. A big line of grey shows the end of a cold front disappearing over the horizon to the South. People on the benches are not wearing hats but most are still wearing jackets. #Bournemouth #WestCliffGreen #Spring #April.

From 13th April 2021

The air is crisp and clean. The sun beams down warmly from a cloudless sky. The bay is practically flat calm but the merest breath of breeze makes the water glitter and dance. The winter lockdown is easing . Early morning coffee drinkers are filling the seating area at the beachside cafe and the Dorset Belle makes a pencil straight silver wake towards the pier.