29th September from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth

Despite a couple of weeks of drizzly days with off and on sunshine and a chilly breeze, this long summer seems reluctant to let go. Today when the bubbly mountains of cloud bump aside, the sun is warm, the sea is blue and pigeons coo in a sleepy manner. There are only a few yellow leaves among the green on the sweet chestnuts and most of the herbage is lush where it is busy recovering from the drought. There is even a last pink sweet pea of summer among the dry grasses on the cliff.

The last sweet pea of summer on the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth

From 29th September 2012

A few, very few, gold braided fair weather clouds on the distant horizon, as sharp and straight as the creases in an airman's trousers. The sky is as blue and vast as he might want to ascend into for ever.