14th August

A slight mist over the bay in the morning remains as a haze on the horizon all day The sky is covered in high, thin, grey clouds which alleviate the heat a little. Later, there is a fresh breeze. The hedgerows were heavy with blackberries after the kindly spring and many of the early juicy fruit were enjoyed by walkers on the West Cliff but since then the crop has shrivelled and the brambles are heavy with the tiny nut like remains. A few fronds of new, green bracken are pushing through the big stands which are now browning rapidly. Trees are losing their leaves; not because they are going yellow and orange but the green leaves are wilting and shrivelling. A disturbing sight. The sun slips down in a bright orange ball through a horizon smudged with pink and yellow. Out in the bay, the lights of the Barfleur twinkle brightly as she slides towards the harbour mouth. A magpie balances on the topmost twig of a pine and laughs gleefully.

From 14th August 2021

It's high summer but still that breeze along the beach. The blue sky is lined with sheets of mackerel clouds and grey smudges as the sun sinks. The foliage is beginning to flag and the bracken is browning and rosebay willow herb takes charge in the cleared spaces.

From 14th August 2014

Two gulls twist and turn through the sudden downpour white paper fragments against a charcoal sky.