Bank Holiday at the Beach

Going to the beach is a fairly conventional thing to do on a Bank Holiday, isn't it? Particularly on one when the temperature soars to 25◦ and the skies are clear blue with absolutely no thought of rain. So, armed with sunscreen, towel, and a bucket and spade, I headed for the Thames. Yes, that's right, the River Thames in the centre of London, where those very nice people at the Southbank Centre have very kindly installed a sandy beach for the enjoyment of us city dwellers (OK, and probably a few tourists too). It comes complete with beach huts, world record breaking bunting (courtesy of the residents of Southend-on-Sea), floral exhibits, a bandstand and a fountain: well, bathing in the Thames is definitely a step too far. It's taken out a short-term residency on Queens Walk from today until early September. Hopefully, that means that the British summer's here to stay for the next 4½ months. I'm trying not to think what state the sand will be in by then - or even by tomorrow, come to that.