Sunday being Rogation Sunday, four days before Ascension Day, it was time for the annual Blessing of the Waters at Mudeford Quay.
Rogation is a time for walking the fields and blessing the coming crops. But on the coast the harvest to come is salmon so every year the priest from All Saints Mudeford comes down to Mudeford Quay to be rowed out into the Christchurch Harbour entrance in a salmon punt.
The priest has a lobster pot for a seat but, having been rowed into the Run, stands for prayers and the traditional casting of silver cross into the water.
Hymn tunes were played by a band and sea scouts were present on land and the Mudeford lifeboat in the harbour entrance.
The cross is retrieved for use again.
Once the first salmon caught was given to the Prior of Christchurch.
