Some 6 years ago whilst walking on the beach with the dogs, suddenly I was aware of just how much plastic there was scattered about – it came to me in a flash (a revelation) that I had heard about DOT – Do One Thing and realized I could also DOT not only for myself but for the benefit of everyone who enjoys the privilege of walking all beaches across the globe.
Now, 6 years equates into some 312 weeks of plastic picking at least 5 times a week equalling 1560 days of bending over and filling “plastic bags” to collect “plastic”, crates, ropes, bottles by the dozens glass/plastic & the inevitable array of colourful caps, cans, cutlery, knives, cooking oil (yes, a complete case of 24 bottles) (which I may add was consumed by the local inhabitants being less than a week beyond the “use by” date!!!), slops, takkies, boots, clothing, caps and of course, foodstuffs, seasonings, straws, cigarette ends, sweet & chip packets, pens, toothbrushes a plenty, cotton bud sticks in the hundreds, and, condoms still in their sachets along with unidentified tablet blister packs a plenty.
BUT an unforseen benefit from all the bending down means no more lower back pain, the joy of watching the dogs loving their freedom, the bonus of observing birdlife, AND the ever changing status of the beach that never displays 2 days the same regardless of wind and rain. All in all, there has never been a time that I don’t feel enriched for the experience – I am waterproof even if my clothes are not.
Countless photos of the dogs and quirky obscure finds…. Maybe there’s more to follow…..
(Jane Johnson)
