31st January from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth
The wind is cutting, The sun glares from milky blue sky. The sea nudges the shore benevolently. A woman in a woolly hat is balancing a big drawing pad on the cliff top rail. The wind is determined to disrupt her work. It is flagging the leaves back and forth but she is concentrating hard, wrestling the wind and making strong black marks with her charcaol. A big flock of gulls circle in the clear sky above the trees. They wail and squawk and as they twist and turn the sun flashes brightly from their white undersides.
From 31st January 2022
The sun bursts up and over a bank of slate coloured cloud into a clear blue sky smudged with white and purple cloudlets. Despite its best efforts to warm us, the dawn is icy with a blustery North wind. Sometimes it's tempting to see too much of spring on these days and we are easily fooled. There is still winter to come. But the catkins are long and yellow on the hazel bushes. There are green buds and little red flowers already showing. Pairs of pigeons are flirting with clear amorous intent. Today a pair of great tits dodge from fence to bushes. And in the interests of scientist I try to count the greenfinches I can hear. I can make out five from all parts of the Green. #Bournemouth #WestCliff #winter #January
From 31st January 2017
The sort of night beloved of 1950s film makers. The mist and rain swirls about my face. The sea seethes at the bottom of the cliff but I can't see it for the mirk. Streetlamps produce perfect cones of light along the deserted pavements. The off licence sign glowers through the fog and the man behind the counter serves me with suspicion. Even my cheery greeting fails to elicit a smile. Along the clifftop I see a gaggle of women. Fifteen, maybe twenty. The only souls I have seen out. For a moment I think it must be our local contribution to the global demonstrations but as I draw nearer I realise they are looking for the nearest pub. A chill wind accompanies me homewards.
From 31st January 2014
My goodness the weather is enjoying itself this afternoon.
From 31st January 2012
The air is as crisp as a spritzer. Being in it means you are breathing great lungs full of life. Drunk on fresh air is good.
