CARNIVAL!

Amesbury Carnival

Military town, 9 miles north of Salisbury, has a more 'Essex' chavvy feel to it, as many are squaddies, most of which are from economically poorer areas and who have young families and young wives...

So, a refreshing change from super-stuffy blue-rinse Salisbury. Not been to there for Carnival before, or the Show that follows on after, for the rest of the afternoon. Usual sort of displays, parachutes, stunts, horses with carriages, kids having a hands-on with military hardware, you know the sort of thing.

Highlight, undoubtedly, was this large group of what sums up 'Carnival' best, resplendent and amazing and dazzling costumes - that must have been quite the challenge in the upped winds, again.

Swapped the Tokina 16-50mm for the Nikkor 16-85mm, as speed was not of the essence and the comparative lightness (and extra pull at the long end) were beneficial.

YES - like yesterday's, going up a bit late, as I was out capturing (and listening to and enjoying) the last gigs of Salisbury LIVE, the free music part of Salisbury Arts Festival, which has now finished. This gig ended up going way beyond its allotted time and so one of the shots taken after midnight will be tomorrow's (today's) blip.