On August Bank Holiday the sun was out and so were the crowds by the River Thames in Abingdon. The pool and splash pad area were crowded.

There were lots of people down at Abingdon Lock watching the boats come and go.

A continuous stream of people crossed the weir both ways. At times people with bikes or buggies had to wait until the oncoming bikes or buggies had crossed. So riverside walks were well used.

The playground was packed. There were a few people playing pitch and putt, and even more playing crazy golf.

Only empty place was the tennis court.

A consultation with community groups and school children showed how they valued the riverside facilities in November 2014.

The last three ranked facilities are likely to be chopped by the Vale of White Horse District Council when they revamp the area. The crazy golf and tennis courts will become a larger play area. I have not heard what is planned for the pitch and putt.

In the Abbey Meadows there are now two circles where the grass and wild flowers are encouraged to grow. The inner circle is already full of delicate meadow grass and flowers, such as these Ragged Robin.

The outer circle has thicker grass, and some wild flowers including thistles. Yesterday volunteers were digging out the thistles to allow other flowers to thrive.

Today was sunny, and over the River Thames, in Rye Farm Meadow, a tractor was turning the grass with the wuffler, or hay spreader.

There were also lots of people out enjoying the countryside and the River Thames, watching boats at Abingdon Lock, and crossing the white water at Abingdon Weir. The Abbey Meadows play area, round the splash pad, was particularly popular.

The theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community for June is “Shadows And Highlights” and I have picked a picture from a walk beside the Mill Stream, in the Abbey Meadows, on a sunny Sunday morning in May, showing the dappled sunlight under the new leaves.

I had idly watched, and photographed, some moorhen chicks just before taking this picture. Afterwards I found that the River Thames was closed because police divers were searching the river near the Marina. While I had been enjoying the spring sunshine, other people were in the middle of a personal tragedy.

More pictures of Shadows and Highlights from around the world are HERE to see.

The Abbey Meadows Open Air pool opened for the new season this morning, and the water was a warm and enticing 29ºC. Seen here are a family, who moved to Abingdon just three weeks ago – about to enjoy their first swim. Next to them is Dr Peter Harbour of Friends of the Outdoor Pool.

The pool will be more popular with the higher temperatures. And from July 4th, swimming lessons will move to the Outdoor Pool while the White Horse Leisure Centre pool is re-furbished.

Nearby, in the Carpark, and back for the new season, was the Coffee Cube. It is also to be seen at other places round Abingdon such as near the Stratton Way bus stops.

Mr Whippy is also there, making everyday a Sundae.

Crazy golf, pitch and put, and tennis courts are also open, as is the play area and splash pad. This will be the last year to play crazy golf, and tennis, as the play area is to be extended.