13th May from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth
A nearly blue sky dotted with tufts of white clouds. A slight haze on the horizon and a crinkly sea driven by a brisk little wind. A fishing boat rides the slight swell. Over the winter months, the hardy swimmers sweagger down the beach and launch themselves into the waves with great bravado. But today there are people strolling along the water’s edge, shoes in hand letting the little waves roll over their feet. Paddling is definitely a sign that the year has turned towards the summer. Joining the cliff top flowers today are the bright pink oxalis. Meanwhile the cranesbills line the paths and the glades among the trees are sprinkled with daisies. The air is filled with the sound of small birds. Footballers play with their shirts off. Pigeons coo.
From 13th May 2022
Indigo, bottle green and navy blue, the sea looks deep and inviting. The waves chase into the beach, jaunty white feathers at their crests. Sun worshippers are busy manufacturing Vitamin D under a vitually blue sky and the sun is strong and warm. But there is a wind as stiff as the bristles on a yard broom and most people sitting out on the short grass have jackets and jumpers on. An entire length of path is edged with the gaudy flowers of rhododendron in pale pinkish purple which contrasts with the lush green of the grass. #bournemouth #westcliffgreen #may #spring
From 13th May 2021
If you're looking across the West Cliff with bare patches among the short grass or on on open banks nearby you'll see what appears to be a red haze or mist just above the ground. On closer inspection you will see it is masses of short flower spikes of a tiny plant called Sheep's Sorrel. It is so common here you may not notice it at first but once you get your eye in you can see it everywhere. The flowers themselves are miniscule and you really need a lens to see them if your eyes are not wonderful. They come in two colours. A sort of pale green with a reddish stripe for the males and a vivid maroon for the females. You can see at once that the plant is related to the docks and sorrels and, like them, they contain oxalic acid so best not to let your sheep graze on them. So why the name? My theory is that this must grow readily on those close cropped hillsides with bare patches where sheep have trodden rather than providing a tasty meal.
From 13th May 2020
A family of greenfinches, five or six, flutter across the path in front of me as careless as if they had been released from lock down. They are bright green yellow against the blue sky as if they were all wearing high vis jackets.
