Sun, 22 Sept 2024, 1:43 pm The Autumn equinox arrives, the circle of seasons completes.

Once more the days shorten, the weather threatens to decay as cloud thickens, wind and rain dominates the weather forecast.

The town reverts to its semi-hibernation. Shop and public house trading hours again shorten, promenade rides and crazy golf once again close and shutter and the footfall reverts to dog walkers wrapped against the elements whilst wishing the opportunity to bask in autumnal sunshine.

Once more the circle of life sees migratory birds move on, geese arrive from the cooling north and the puffins and other sea birds departed to sea. The resident gulls start to hunker down on the chimney pots and adjust to the changes in their food sources – inland refuge sites once again attract as the fried fish supply drops away as the sun sinks towards the horizon shortening the days and giving way to the growing chill that marks the start of the countdown to winter.

On the positive side of the ledger, I can once more park outside my house as the summer restrictions lapse and the dog again has the full run of beach - all in all I can enjoy Autumn!