The Big Clean Up

It was a big clean up day in Christchurch, this is the grassy area near the quay which does get quite messy due to the huge number of visitors. These folks were signing up volunteers and issuing sacks etc. I reckon most of the kids are too small to be effective and the bloke in the striped shirt doesn't look very energetic so I don't know how much rubbish will be collected!

The Royal Wedding

What an exceptional day, it's so good to be British. I took the picture straight from the TV, the quality is not good but better than others I took which ended up with lines all over them. I think a TV screen is made up of 625 lines, sometimes they don't show, most times they do.

Flower Power

The Montana Clematis growing up the side of our garage looks lovely again this year, it's a prolific flower.

Quay Furniture

Mudeford Quay has a huge amount of lobster pots and associated paraphernalia stacked in piles. Every time I come to the quay it all looks the same, I can't recall seeing any of this stuff ever being used but it must be, of course,  because of the fish market on the quay.

Really Fresh Fish

I think you should be able to get a fish or two here. This is Mudeford Quay of course, this business has been around for years and is very popular with the locals and holiday makers.

Sights in Saxon Square

Very short story, clockwise from top left - Just about to have some breakfast, I like the wine "glass"! He must be a generous type, he's offering it to somebody, not to me thankfully. Surprise, surprise, nobody accepted his offer and he looks a bit downhearted! Oh well, I'll drink it myself then. Now, it was a very hot day in Christchurch today, he seems a little overdressed to say the least, dig the kilt and footwear, wonderful!

Some Nice Birds!!

Christchurch Quay is always a popular spot for locals as well as visitors, especially when the weather is as nice as today. This Swan has joined a small family group with Christchurch Sailing Club in the background. He seems to have got his beady eye on the kid, I wonder what he's thinking, something like "Got any grub son, and by the way, I don't like that hat"!

Messing about in boats

Lots of people messing about in boats today, lots of people cooking themselves on the beach, lots of people sitting in cars in traffic jams and vast numbers just milling about aimlessly, that's Bournemouth at this temperature record breaking Easter time!! This little group of 6 (4 humans and 2 half humans) were just about to disappear under Tuckton Bridge as I walked across. 

Picturesque Christchurch

A really beautiful day again here in Christchurch, it all looks very peaceful, not many people about, I reckon they are all on the beach. Living just round the corner from this scene means I get to photograph it a lot, too much I suppose, I'll have to stop!

Hengistbury Land Train

I'm getting out and about a lot these days with all this wonderful weather. I have taken quite a lot of land train pictures in various countries during visits on recent cruises, I'll have to continue the trend on future cruises. Don't know what happened to the lamp post!

Kids on the Beach

The light was fading but still strong enough to produce shadows and silhouettes.

I do like the pattern the dog's legs and reflections make.

Beautiful Bournemouth Beaches

Actually this is at our end, Southbourne, of course. Lovely day today, very warm, it's nice to see a good number of people using the beach. It's very popular during the Summer season hence the lifeguard station, not manned today though. Note the good view of the Polar Bear shape in the chalk of the Isle of Wight in the distance. 

Wildlife Story

I was walking back from Hengistbury Head today, saw the pheasant and was preparing to photograph it when a fox wandered out from a group of cows. The cows didn't seem to mind, neither did the pheasant and the fox just calmly went on his way. I think he knew that there was no chance he was going to catch the pheasant in broad daylight, the pheasant knew it too!!

Three Quarters of a Century

What you are seeing is a rendition of "A Happy Birthday to You" on the occasion of my 75th birthday. David is smiling but he is not singing! Didn't detect any reaction from the neighbours, but then they are all old in our road except us of course!! Great fun was had by all throughout the day. Gill put the balloons on the door.