Peak season...

Four days ago it was announced that the RNLI were braced as their peak season got underway. This is, of course, wonderful news for the "thousands of people" who are expected to use the beach over the coming season - except there are very few. At least for the moment. I walked for over a mile and counted three bathers actually in the water (all in the same spot), and around ten others cowering here and there from the windblown sand: the unpredictable summer continues.

It isn't until I arrive at Boscombe seafront that there is any sign of people enjoying the Blue Flag beaches; most notably school kids playing beach volleyball. Whether this is inspired by the looming Olympic Games - the sailing events are held in the county - or not is open to conjecture, and only the threat of a thunderstorm (photo), it seems, might possibly quell that ethos. We will never know: the kids pack up and leave and it doesn't rain.

The spirit of the games is beginning to make its presence felt locally, however, as the Olympic Torch itself is scheduled to pass through the area this coming Friday (the 13th) and Saturday, on day 57 of the 70 day journey around the UK - a once-in-a-lifetime event that I hope to photograph and include in these pages.


24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/11. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 200


© 2012