14th May from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth

A milky sky and a light breeze. But the day is warm enough to lure people down the 127 steps onto the beach for a paddle. Everything is growing with a madness now in the new found heat. The apple tree has found enough strength for new blossom. A sow thistle grows up through one of the benches. Little warblers are enjoying their summer holidays in Bournemouth. Gulls wheel and call. Cleavers scramble up through the brambles.

From 14th May 2022

An untroubled blue sky, no breeze and the sun pouring down its liquid gold on the beach goers. On the West cliff, the scent of mown grass fills the air. A warbler tries out its song from a high branch in its new home. By the evening, the scent on the beach is the faint odour of creosote warmed out of the new groynes by the day long sunshine. The bright lemon sun, disappearing behind the cliffs suddenly highlights distant sails and a party of terns circling and then diving straight down into the shallows. A grey mist settles over the bay. It might rain later. #westcliffgreen #bournemouth #may #spring

From 14th May 2021

The late evening sun streams pale lemon through the soft green leaves of the trees on the edge of the chine. Voices float up on the air. Pigeons continue their weary chanting. The sea rushes in self-important little waves onto the flat sand. The long grass bends before the chill evening breeze and the scent of petrichor from yesterday's rain hangs heavy in the air. The spring which has been on hold for the long weeks of dry cold winds from the north may just be ready to move forward.