Pre 1971 Fox's Glacier Mints

 In amongst the sand dunes, where the river and sea meet, was a plastic bag. On closer inspection,, i was amazed to pick up a Fox's Glacier mints packet.

The packet cost 1/-, which was pre-decimalisation.

The cost was 1 shilling or 12 old pennies.

The Polar bear first appeared on packets in 1922 and was called Peppy the polar bear!

therefore, we can date the packet between 1922-1971, however, i suspect the packet is from the 1960's.

So interesting to find things like this when beach cleaning.

stay safe x

Lego lost at sea

 In 1997 a cargo ship - the Tokyo Express - lost a container off the coast of Lands End, Cornwall. The container contained Lego on it's way to New York. Since then, Lego has been washing up along the Cornish Coastline, and beyond.

I have collected over the years most examples of what was lost, but the dragon and octopus have evaded me. But today, nestled in the banks of where the sea meets the river, was a black dragon.

The plastic dragon is  most welcome addition to my Lego lost at sra collection.

stay safe x

A blast from the past and back to the 80's

 I had a real blast from the past today! There are those of us, of a certain era who still refer to 'Snickers' as 'Marathons'!! And i think i probably always will!

In 1990, Marathons were no more, and instead the name used elsewhere was adopted, and the age of Snickers was borne!

Only a partial wrapper, but it was best before 1986.

It is amazing how a tangible object can transport you back in time! So in 2021, i went back to the 80's!

Stay safe x

Beach goers like to comb their hair!

 I often find plastic combs when beach cleaning, but i found 2 today in amongst the plastic lid, drinks cans and bottle caps. Perhaps the revellers wanted to look good whilst leaving their rubbish on the beach?!?! 

Personally, i prefer the beach to look good than me!

Stay safe x

back in time to 1902

So not a story about finding plastic on todays beach clean, but instead, a look back in history to 1902!

I recognised this broken mug as soon as i saw it, as i had a few days previously, watched a bottle digging video on YouTube and the person found one.

This mug, is from 1902 and commemorated the coronation of  Edward VII and his wife Alexandra. The coronation was due to be in June 1902, but was postponed until August as the new King was unwell. Sadly, the month on the mug is worn and cannot be read, but the 1902 is still clear.

Regardless of the condition, i love this find and will treasure it.

Stay safe x

is it a snake?

 Strolling through the sand dunes on my beach clean, i honestly thought i had found a snake curled up and snoozing in the sun!

I'll be honest, i did feel a little bit stupid when the 'snake' turned out to be a phone charger!! 

Stay safe x

Summer rubbish is here!

 Winter storms are easing and a definite switch to summer rubbish has sadly begun. The beach today was littered with discarded cutlery, plastic drinks lids, plastic bottles, cans, bottle lids and disposable BBQ's.

I read a few years ago, about a horrific injury a child suffered from standing on a discarded BBQ that someone had buried in the sand. The damage to people, pets and wildlife is awful. If you go to the effort of getting it to the beach, go to the effort of taking it away! You chose to visit the beach because of the beautiful environment, so please be part of the solution and protection.

Stay safe x

Someone is a little toothless

 I have read stories of beach cleaners finding false teeth before, but i have not had the pleasure... until today! I was a little taken aback to see someones denture looking up at me from the seaweed! And did feel a bit creeped out by picking them up, but rubbish is rubbish! 

The less said the better! But definitely one of strangest finds!

Stay safe x

When a Tip Top Ice Pop Cost 1p!

 A walk along the beach and sand dunes picking up rubbish today, led to the discovery of a Tip Top ice pop wrapper. The type you couldn't open without the use of some scissors. 

I recognised what it was, but when i picked it up, the wrapper said it cost 1p! 

I wonder how many years ago this cost 1p?!?!

It dates from at least 1971, when the UK began using decimalisation, so my guess is 1970's / 1980's ? I would love to know!

Stay safe x 

Lets go Fly a Kite.... and then just leave it on the beach!

 One thing i find pretty infuriating, is when people go to considerable effort to take an items to the beach to enjoy such a beautiful and natural environment, and yet, discard items with little thought for the negative impact this has. what else is super annoying for me, is when people have to walk past bins to leave the beach!

This irritation and risk to the environment was recently illustrated when i found a kite on the beach.

It took me about 15 minutes to untangle to kite from branches, seaweed and my puppy to enable its safe disposal.

What was really worrying, was the 2 plastic rings with metres and metres of string to fly the kite, the damage this would have done to wildlife was pretty frightening to consider.

Par beach, where this was at, is actually one of the best beaches for bins i have visited. It is a long beach and has bins dotted all over the place which are emptied frequently; so there is no excuse. 

Rant over! puppy untangled and kite disposed of safely!

Stay safe x

Sunrise at Carlyon Beach in Cornwll

 We got to Carlyon Bay bright and early to catch the sunrise over towards Polkerris and Gribbin Head, it was worth it! Absolutely beautiful.

As far as plastic pollution goes, it wasn't too bad, the usual pockets where it all gathers, and just the occasional food wrappers washed up with the incoming tide. 

This Henry vacuum cleaner was the other side of the fencing, so i couldn't have got to even if i tried, i suspect it would have been a bit big, bulky and heavy for me to carry, but it was certainly a strange thing to see on a beach!

Beautiful to see nature awakening and the blossom appearing; it acts as a reminder to why i beach clean; nature is glorious and should not be tainted with pollution that threatens it's beauty

Stay safe x

Par Beach and Harbour and a Very Low Tide

 The full moon meant that the low tide was incredibly low, this enabled me to get to places that are normally submerged. I was able to walk into Par Docks, and was pleasantly surprised by the lack of plastic pollution or marine debris in general. I wonder if they clean up and litter?

Further down the beach i found some interesting items, including this hairspray plastic tube, a top / lid which reads 'Baby will like farex too'

An almost intact glass and 3 beautiful buttons, which included the very pretty clear glass button

It was a little disturbing to find this dollas head / torso, and a plastic Boots tube of hair conditioner

Some interesting finds and some interesting experiences of Par Docks.

Stay Safe x

Back to Par!

 A return to Par beach again. I think i chose this beach because it is the closest beach to me and there always bits of plastic to be picked up.

Lots of nurdles and beads. Some beads come from fishing tackle and i think there is a certain bead that could be a hama bead. 

A collection of pyroplastics; i  think these are really dangerous. you often struggle to spot them amongst the stone. 

A smarties lid sitting on top of thick seaweed just waiting to be found

This sort of thing really annoys me, it looked like numerous party poppers had been let off. This is impossible to pick up. 

Stay safe x