27th November from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth
The gulls are in good voice today, both the wailing of the herring gulls and the raspy croak of the black headed gulls. Although it’s not raining, everything is damp and dripping wet. The grass is vibrant green. It’s enjoying this late warm autumn. A mist obscures the bay. A small fishing boat seems suspended in midair as its impossible to see where sea and and sky begin and end.The last signs of the fire earlier in the year, the blackened stumps of bushes and small trees gradually disappear beneath the leaf litter.On the beach, small knots of people meet up. They are surrounded by dogs. The dogs romp in the surf. One man claps his hands and calls to his dog. The dog ignores him and continues romping. Gradually the group dissolves. The man is left alone clapping and calling to his dog. The dog romps on and on and on.
From 27th November 2021
The gale is raw and blustery but, surprisingly, the sea is almost flat calm. But if you look closely you can see that the wind is rippling the water out from the beach into the bay giving a strange, reticulated, almost moire effect. The tattered clouds scud across the sky letting the sun peep through from time to time but, to the North, big clots of black are forming and headed this way. Where the bins have been overturned, the gulls are having a fine time and enjoying the fact that they don't have to battle the wind as everything they need is on the footpath. #Bournemouth #WestCliff #November #Winter.
From 27th November 2011
Grey ragged clouds driven by the storm bunch and tear. The hills on Purbeck dip in and out of sight and the long breakers smash into the groynes with a flurry of white foam. The sand is chased along the promenade making pirouettes and veils. Even up on the West Cliff I'll need to keep the windows closed or else everything will be covered with a layer of fine sand.
