26th September from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth

The wind is singing in the treetops. Prickly cases of sweet chestnuts litter the path. V shaped needles flutter down like snow from the Scots pines. There is little swell on the sea but the waves seem to be hurrying to the shore. When the sun brushes aside a space it is warm but the clouds are quick to rush back. Curtains of rain hang on the horizon to west and east. Pigeons puff up their feathers and stand around as if uncertain what to do next. A robin tries out its winter song from the shelter of a bush. Cats ears seem to be the first flowers to have colonised the short grass after the drought.

From 26th September 2021

A pic'n'mix sort of day. Grey skies and autumn fog over the bay this morning but with the cloud breaking up so that by early afternoon there were ragged patches of blue and it became quite hot. The grey green waves swashed onto the beach in regulation fashion. A regatta of small boats scurried about arounfd Old Harry. Helicopters droned to and fro over head. But then bits and bobs of clouds pressed together into louring dark skies and a snappy breeze before sunset.

From 26th September 2017

The soft dawn vignetted with pale mist. A Golden Wonder of crisp leaves in orange swathes underfoot. A plume of seagulls streaming behind the tractor as it barks distant across the field putting the stubble to rest under the plough. Nature and hard work have given the increase and now is the time for enjoying the fruit. Autumn is the time for preparation, planning and planting and as a child growing up on farms there was always an air of expectation. A time for looking forward. And even now I greet September as the time for new projects, new excitements, for dreams and new imaginings.

From 26th September 2015

Victorian postcards of Bournemouth show the cliffs to be bare slumps of sand, clay and gravel. This morning the peachy dawn light picks out the mass of greenery of all shades that has colonised them since. The predominant species seems to be holm oak with its grey green permanent foliage, then sweet chestnut, still glossy in september. There's apple and, of course, dark mediterranean pine. The steeper slopes are covered with gorse, bramble and orange brown bracken. Little bright spots of red show where honeysuckle knits it all together.