30th April from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth

Off on, off on, off on. The rain comes down in occaasional showers but not the sort of April showers with blue skies and sunshine in between. A grey rolling sky all day and a chilly little breeze. But most of the plants are enjoying the damp weather. The swathes of grasses sway in the wind. The mallows leaves are large and shiny. This is the weather the cliff top shelter is made for. In the daytime, visitors eat their cheese and pickle sandwiches, in the evening students gather with their bottles of beer and at night it provides somewhere for our homeless friends to consume whatever the form of oblivion they need. The shelter looks old but was rebuilt a few years ago out of modern materials but retaining the original design. Well done the Council.

From 30th April 2022

A hazy streaky sky moderates the warmth of the sun. The grey-green sea rumples on the shore. A naughty little wind makes the Frisbee Players' job much more difficult. Bumble bees buzz around the flowers in the more sheltered spots. Surprisingly, we haven't had any real rain for some time and where the grass has been cut it has desiccated in the wind into white hay. #bournemouth #westcliffgreen #spring #April

From 30th April 2019

There’s a sharp late spring breeze. The pale blue evening sky is streaked with distant ice crystal clouds. The lemon yellow sun is just above the dark pines but there’s enough light to cast soft shadows on the grass where I’m walking. The black and white cat from the Savoy Hotel looks up enquiringly from the cliff edge. When he sees me hurrying past, hands in pockets he returns to patrolling the long grass. A group of chaps have a barbecue balanced on the wall at the end of the green. The blue smoke hangs on the breeze. The punt, punt sound of lads playing football combines with the brave evensong of blackbird and robin. The sun sinks behind the trees and it suddenly feels very cold.