24th December from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth
That strange, lemon yellow light that comes before a storm darkens and, sure enough, down commes the rain in big square blocks. People dash by wielding big, black umbrellas. I have worked out this lighting effect is caused by the sun, low down, enough for some of its spectrum to reach under the cloud cover. It’s always beautiful. Do I regret not being out in this? Yes and no. I miss a last greeting to the wanderers and wayfarers, to the weight lifters and the waggy tail walkers. To the well ness instructors. The wild life watchers and the Wild life, and the walkers and, most of all, the wonderers. I hope they don’t feel I’ve cut them out.
From 24th December 2021
It rains and rains. The surf lands with a thump. A heavy cloak of mist draws the day in. Time to batten down and consider the inner world. #Bournemouth #WestCliff #December #winter
From 24th December 2017
Trudging through the frozen snow at daybreak I found the perfect little tree nearly overlooked under the big forest pines. I brought it into our little cottage stamping the snow off my boots and set it up in the window for everyone to see. Of course the Christmas Angel shouldn't take her place of honour till tonight but I thought you might like to see. Now to warm frozen fingers in front of a roaring fire with a tankard of Smoking Bishop and then see if I can find the old box of decorations. A Merry Christmas to you all.
From 24th December 2015
To the East I can see three lights tonight, Hurst Point, The Needles and St Catherine's Point. To the West I can see the red and green bobbing leading lights on the Swash Channel. Whatever guiding light you are following be safe. Merry Christmas to Bonita, Pollux, Novatrans, Susan. Just four of the hundreds of the vessels still working up and down Channel.
Listen! As the sound of the Christmas Eve traffic dies away you can hear the sea. Wherever you are, City, mountain top, desert, that quiet susurration you can hear reminds us that we all came from the sea. We all washed up here and in due course the water and chemicals that made us during our short stay here will leach back into the ocean where we belong.
From 24th December 2010
for all its tackiness, cheesiness, grumpiness, bad-temperedness, pushing-and-shovingness. for all iciness and loneliness and unneccessary expense, I love Christmas
