July 21st from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth

The two old chaps have brought their collapsible chairs out and placed them as they do every day. They cram their sunhats well on. Their dogs lie in the shade of the sycamore. Today the sun is generally hiding behind the lumpy grey clouds but when it does come out it is warm enough for them. There is a haze over the bay and the breeze springs up and dies away for no particular reason. A helicopter thrums back and forth. The beach is not crowded but there are plenty of children enjoying the little waves. The paths are covered in swathes of the long, pale yellow lambs tails that are the catkins of the sweet chestnuts. This year, because of the drought, they are joined by the orange leaves of the parent trees. Butterflies and bees dart about looking for the last remaining blossoms. The blackberries that were so well on a week or two ago are now beginning to shrivel on the brambles. A trail of white feathers show where a pigeon has been surprised by our resident sparrow hawk. The other pigeons coo as if nothing changes. The two old chaps sit unmoving. The day seems frozen in time. #Bournemouth #westcliffgreen #summer #july

From 21st July 2021

The night is hot and heavy. The asphalt paths give up a tarry smell which mixes with the resin of the pines and the mown grass. Voices carry up on the darkness. It is not time for the weather to break yet.