High Tide - 6th January 2014

A couple of days ago, when we had a flood warning at high tide, there were a lot of photographers out to record events, even though it was happening at day break.  Today high tide was 10.15 a.m. but most people were back at work and so I pretty much had it to myself.  I was at work too but I'm based about 50 metres from the pier, so could pop out with my camera.  I'm a lucky man.  

I think the waves were a bit more challenging this time but the wall passed the test and kept the sea at bay. Good fun!

 

Whipping up a storm!

The forecast was of possible floods this morning but come high tide it was stormy but the sea defences held. I'm told that the wind direction helped, it could have been much worse, as it undoubtedly has been for some. There are similar forecasts in place over the weekend but so far, so good.  

By way of contrast, this the same place around seven hours later....

These are all straight out of camera and demonstrate - among other things - my inability to hold a camera straight.

Burnham Carnival

Every year I am in the happy position of the one of the countries biggest and best illuminated carnivals parading down the end of my road.  If like me, carnival growing up was a few lorries in the daylight banish all thoughts.  This is loud and flashy - pretty much how we do things a round here.  

It's difficult to photograph, all the carts are lit differently, but great fun to try.  These are some of my better efforts from this week.

A couple of shots

Camera Club was good to me last night, I came third in our monthly competition with this shot of 'phone boxes in Broadway on the theme, 'Windows'.  I took this on the first day of my Cotswold Way walk last year, just as it was starting to rain.

Afterwards I popped down to the beach as the sunset coincided with high tide.  Watching the sun go down, a nice way to end the day.

 

Townend in Town

Huge excitement today as I can reveal that the church has booked Stuart Townend to come to play at the local school in April.  This is a major event for us, we are a small church of around 70 and Stuart Townend has a worldwide following.  His best known hymn is probably, "In Christ Alone" and so it seemed only right to wordle it to celebrate.  I like the way it looks a little like a tree.  Can't wait for the event, very excited!

Sandcastle World Record Claimed in Burnham on Sea

The reports are that the world record was shattered today with 993 sandcastles built on the beach in an hour.  The old record was a mere 571.  It will need to be verified by the Guinness people but it looks like the good people of Burnham have done it!

An Indian Summer

The lighthouse on the beach at Burnham on Sea

We have just had the most ridiculous (and welcome) weather to start off October this year.  Over the weekend the temperature was in the eighties both days, with the local website saying it reached 27 degrees in the shade and 30 degrees C (86 degrees) F on the sunny beach here - the hottest October days since records began.

Not surprisingly the beach was busy as we walked it with friends who were visiting for the weekend and more ice cream was consumed than you would normally expect.  I now have a summer cold in October - a first!

The forecast for later this week is 14 degrees - back to normal!