August 1st

The summer has transformed from oven temperature heat at the beginning of July to humid grey heat for the last few weeks and now, ith the turn into August it seems as though the year has reached the drowsy heat of High Summer. The blue sky is braided with high, white streaks of cloud and the wind has become gentler and a little fresher. But the heat continues to press up from the hard surfaces and from the bracken thickets. Occasional butterflies swirl. A red Admiral with the gorgeous scarlet markings and white eyespots. Although there was little for the mower out on the flat places last week, three mowers arrive to trim the verges where the long grass grows. This is a good time to do this, the seed is all set and needs spreading. At the same time it may reduce the places where a fire could begin. Out on the ruffled blue waters of the bay the Dorset Belle sets off from the pier for another trip round the bay. #Bournemouth #WestCliffgreen #Summer #August.

From August 1st 2021

A flat, grey, quiet sort of day. Humid but not hot. August, I suppose, counts as High Summer but I feel this year hasn't really got going. The grasses love it and have grown tall and strong with a myriad of pretty seed heads especially the delicate fescues. This evening, though, a fresh breeze ripples up the cliff from the sea and makes for a pleasant evening. Little pools of late sunlight break through and illuminate Studland and Old Harry and the hills beyond.

From August 1st 2011

I'm sitting here with the windows wide open. People chattering and laughing in the street. Cars pulling up going Boom-Boom-Boom.