August 6th

Apart from the scorched and dried grass, The West Cliff Green is at its best today The view through the pines and over the cliff is joyful. The blue waters of Poole Bay shiver with excitement and appear decorated with uncountable sequins that spark and glitter. The shadows under the pines are dark and footsteps become silent as if entering some other worldly realm.The little breeze keeps the day fresh. A tern follows the shoreline and, quite oblivious to the swimmers, dives in among them emitting its happy, squeaky call. And then appears again and is off down the beach. High, wispy clouds dissolve and the sky remains blue while the sun beats down. Pigeons coo contentedly.

From August 6th 2021

A blustering punchy wind is roughing up the clifftop bracken and bushes. The surf is pummeling the beach and out in the bay the white horses are being goaded into their mad prancing dance. The sun, though, beams down benevolently from a blue sky peppered with ragged lumps of white and grey cloud.

From August 6th 2011

Another wedding party goes past my window. Why do they all look so solemn? And why do men dress up in suits and ties for weddings but not for funerals any more?