Polkerris Beach Cornwall, The morning after the night (and days) before!

 The weather seems to have calmed a little after storm Christoph made its way through Cornwall. So, me and my sidekick headed to Polkerris....... 

Polkerris is always badly affected by plastic pollution after storms, so its always good to get down there and see what we can pick up and take out of the coastal environment. 

I normally stick to collecting small pieces and micro plastics; this may seem a bit odd, but its so easy to feel overwhelmed by all the plastic and not know where to start and then feeling like a failure when you walk away leaving so much. I've been there! Years ago i spent a back breaking 8 hours on Polkerris beach, when i was leaving i felt disheartened at the amount i was leaving - but there is only so much you can do! 

Having a plan is always a good start! And it really doesn't matter what the reason is behind your visit to the beach, and what / if you are looking for anything in particular or just picking up rubbish - what matters is that you care enough to even take one piece of rubbish away.

Anyway, today was going to be no different; small plastic and micro plastics......... until we spotted this huge plastic container. It had already started to break down, so we brought it home with us!

The photos below show the micro plastics that had washed in with the tide; mixed in amongst twigs, seaweed and various organic matter. How will this ever disappear? 

I do like finding things i can easily recognise! The tiny lego daisy can be traced to 'Tokyo Express' cargo spill of 1997, for over 23 years this tiny flower has been within the marine environment. It looks as good as new!

Another section of drinks can, the bottom and sides long gone.... And one of the many plastic bottles found, which has started to break down

Woody was very helpful today, but did keep pinching things out of the collection bucket!

So, that was todays adventure... the bucket looks like we collected very little in 2 1/2 hours.... so i may count how many individual pieces were picked up! 

Stay safe x