20th September from the WestCliff Green, Bournemouth

The evening sun slips down from under the grey clouds towards the horizon. People always seem quiet and respectful at the sight. A lad stands on a small pillar to get a better view of the evening. Gulls stand about hoping there might be a little something for supper. Evening walkers pause to see if Mick the Gull man will appear. From the bushes there are all manner of twitterings as the small birds settle down for the night, calling to one another like the ending of an episode of the Waltons. All is well.

From 20th September 2021

A clear blue sky of an intensity we haven't seen for weeks. Just a few wisps and tails of white cloud low down on the horizon to the south and west. A nippy little breeze brushes the flat sea into a field of a thousand glittering, dancing stars. The fisherman has rowed far out into the bay to shoot his nets and completes a tranquil picture. Everything seems refreshed and invigorated suddenly, the birds are singing and the hotels and apartment blocks stand out sharply against the blue. There seems to be excitement and anticipation in the air as the year turns.

From 20th September 2015

The sun rising into a blue sky peppered with grey and white clouds. The water dazzles silver. Across the bay a curious low white stripe of fog crawls out of the harbour mouth and follows the Swash Channel out beyond Old Harry. From the harbour itself is the muffled, antediluvian sound of ships' and boats' hooters sounding like mother mastodons calling their calves.