We Couldn’t Have (Litter) Picked a Better Day!

Well what a glorious sunny day for our virtual Beach Clean ….. and for Maxine’s birthday yay with her celebrations starting with the beach clean! Find her birthday message amongst the photographs attached. Beautiful sunshine and the tide was out which meant everyone on the beach found it easier to make space for others, and we were able to pick up rubbish that might normally have been covered by water – win/win. Lots of reports of non-Goodgymers also out with their litter pickers which is great to see. There were varying amounts of rubbish found, but with the usual interesting finds and items of clothing of course – all listed below:

• Duncan & Lucy visited the path north of the creek at Foxes Forest. Managed to collect a full bag of recycling and a 2nd of rubbish. Not enough space to pick it all up, so definitely a place to go back to.

• Eli & her better half (her words) walked from Coffee cup to Southsea Marina and managed to find a kayak seat, boat cleat and a stick covered in anti-fouling

• Jen and Alice visited Tipner where they saw Vicki & John. In true Goodgym fashion they found a sock and most interesting find was a scatter cushion from a sofa. Too much rubbish to carry home on the bike and struggled to find a bin. Another place for a litter pick re-visit. Alice thought it was definitely sunny enough to request an ice-cream, and fortunately for Alice, Jen had some posh lemon sorbet in the freezer when they got home – happy days!

• Jo and India started at the Briny and headed west to Clarence Pier. Some good finds between the rocks and bits near the concrete ledges and near Mozzarella Joe’s. India wanted to dive into the Southsea Castle moats as loads of unreachable rubbish behind the fence. Most exciting thing found was a snorkel mask. Jo also managed to pap Tim out for his run, in the shade with the sun behind – apparently that’s his ‘best’ side (according to Tim 😊)

• Jo & Kat met up and headed to Milton Lock well wrapped up for the cold but were warm once they got there. Found an item of clothing immediately (a sock) along with ear bud sticks, pieces of shoes, buff, plastic, cans and a comb. Had to empty out their bags into 1 large one and then head back to continue as they found so much - they also found part of the Kings Theatre pantomime poster. Heading for a walk along the shore line, they spotted a man and a bike sat amongst the mud flats. No idea why.

• Judy & Val started at Emsworth Marina and included a marvellous 10k walk as well as doing their litter pick around the Marina area! Not too much rubbish and mainly dome fishing line and food/sweet wrappers caught in the seaward.

• Katie C-R waited for low tide so that she could visit the area in front of Salterns Harvester and walk up towards the Memorial. A few plastic cups, cans, other plastic bits. Most interesting finds were a plug in a socket, and the bottom part of a garden parasol which doubled as a bag carrier for the rest of the pick. 10/10 for re-cycling!

• Lynn made her way to the Hovercraft landing area and Clarence Pier area. Found mostly bottles and cans and just 1 mask.

• Maura & Mel started half-way between Eastney and Coffee Cup and walked East with Maura showing Mel some new parts of the beach not previously seen, including the nudist beach! No nudists out today even though it was sunny, just lots and lots of dogs and their owners. Saw a few swimmers and someone about to go out on their paddle-board – the sea was sublime. A couple of horses with riders enjoying the low tide over on Hayling beach in the distance. Found a pair of tights, a plastic sunflower spout from a child’s watering can, a pair of sliders, and something rubbery, but not recognisable!

• Maxine found lots of buried rope and plastic bags. Tons of plastic lids and some other oddities like a glass lens and rusted metal which is definitely unsafe for kids and dogs! I hope she’s now enjoying a lovely day with family, friends and cake (this at least doesn’t need to be virtual)!

• Rachel – Prom edge of the beach. Too many clothes layers, but good to feel the sun. Lots of plastics and wrappers.

• Rosie and Aaron were behind the RNLI Lifeboat station Ferry Road. Lots of polystyrene, bottle tops, boat and fishing bits, including a net and obligatory pants! And a little heart (see photos) ahead of Valentines day next week. This is a particularly bad spot for rubbish, so if anyone is looking for an area for future litter picks, this is the place to go!

• Vicki & John were at Whale Island/Stamshaw with the bonus of seeing Jen and Alice 😊. Collected a pair of specs and what looked like a piece of jet-ski or bike! Just a few items of re-cycling * Paul stayed local and picked either side of the footpath linking devon rd and hilsea Station. 1 hr of continous collecting which only managed two thirds of the length of the path. Lots of thank yous and the bonus of finding a £1 coin too!

Summary of places to re-visit for litter picks: Whale Island / Tipner Ferry Road and area around the RNLI Lifeboat Station and Hayling Ferry Foxes Forest and north path creek area