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xxx
Thursday, 11 June 2020
Saturday, 30 May 2020
30th May 2020
Many Happy Returns Jan!!!
May all your Birthday wishes come true
Love & Hugs
Jenny & Simone
X X X
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Dear Rosie & Charles,
Happy Wedding Anniversary!
27 Years!!! That's amazing
May you have many more happy years together.
Love
Jenny & Simon
X O X O X
Sunday, 24 May 2020
Thursday, 21 May 2020
19 May 2020
Hi everyone!
It's been a few weeks since my last post. I hope everyone is keeping well and staying safe.
Simon and I are well and I am very happy to say that we've been out diving again. We have to follow strict social distancing rules, wearing face masks, sanitizing hands etc but it's so good to get out and about. We are so so lucky.
Here on the island, anyone stopped by the Police not wearing a mask when out and about are given press ups, jumping jacks or made to jog a certain distance and then given a mask to wear. It's had quite the effect.
Work wise, we still have 2 Eco Interns here, both of which had 2 weeks left of their program, so we've been diving as much as we can with the Crystal Dive boat and then when they don't go out, we jump on Cuthbert. Due to social distancing, the numbers have been limited on Crystals boat, so priority has been given to staff and students finishing courses. So we are extremely lucky having our own boat and having places on the normal Crystal boat. Some staff have only been out for 2 fun dives since they started to operate again.
As no-one has been allowed to travel to Koh Tao, there are no new customers and everyone is suffering financially. Crystal, so I hear are only going to stay open until specific courses are finished and then we'll have to wait and see. Tourists will be allowed to visit the island again from the 20th May, so that may bring some custom ..who knows.
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| Simone out getting some footage!! |
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| Me!! :-D |
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| Interns measuring coral adoptions |
Saturday, 2 May 2020
02 May 2020
Hi everyone!
We trust everyone and everything is fine and dandy!
Another week has past and we're in another month of lock down or so it looks like. You can never really be sure as to what's going on here ..for example the Thai's had put a ban on the sale of alcohol for the majority of April to deter people from gathering and then decided to extend it until the end of May, which was fair enough. 2 days into the extension, they changed their minds :-D It wasn't really an issue as we had a secret supplier 😁 but for some, it was like the end of the world
In my spare time, which I have lots of at the moment LOL I widened my culinary skills and made some Banana Muffins. They were delicious, definitely going to make those again. I know you'll all be disappointed but we didn't video my creation. You will just have to wait😉 until next time.
As well as baking I've been making :-D I made some homemade coffee and vanilla soap with some used coffee grounds that I had dried out in the sun. The soaps turned out well. I had to cool the mixture before pouring it into the molds in order to get this fabulous layer effect 😂
Apart from baking and making, I've been out for a cycle up to the reservoir. It's incredibly difficult to breath through the face mask at times as its 80% uphill but if there's no one around it slips down to my chin and then if I hear anyone coming, pop it back on again. The last few days have wet and cloudy, so perfect cycling weather and even less people about.
We trust everyone and everything is fine and dandy!
Another week has past and we're in another month of lock down or so it looks like. You can never really be sure as to what's going on here ..for example the Thai's had put a ban on the sale of alcohol for the majority of April to deter people from gathering and then decided to extend it until the end of May, which was fair enough. 2 days into the extension, they changed their minds :-D It wasn't really an issue as we had a secret supplier 😁 but for some, it was like the end of the world
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| Banana muffins :-D |
In my spare time, which I have lots of at the moment LOL I widened my culinary skills and made some Banana Muffins. They were delicious, definitely going to make those again. I know you'll all be disappointed but we didn't video my creation. You will just have to wait😉 until next time.
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| Coffee & Vanilla exfoliating soap |
As well as baking I've been making :-D I made some homemade coffee and vanilla soap with some used coffee grounds that I had dried out in the sun. The soaps turned out well. I had to cool the mixture before pouring it into the molds in order to get this fabulous layer effect 😂
I know it's good as Simon tried one and complimented me on the fact that one side you can exfoliate with and the other, lather up :-D I was so surprised.
Apart from baking and making, I've been out for a cycle up to the reservoir. It's incredibly difficult to breath through the face mask at times as its 80% uphill but if there's no one around it slips down to my chin and then if I hear anyone coming, pop it back on again. The last few days have wet and cloudy, so perfect cycling weather and even less people about.
On my travel I picked some wild mint. Going to plant it and it might keep the mozzies
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| Main reservoir ..never fills up |
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| Always hard at work |
Simon, is busy as always. He's currently moving (copying 11 years of blogs) to a different platform. Simon is one of the most productive people I know. He's always doing (perhaps it's just to get away from me😂 in these current times) very organised and doesn't like to waste time.
The picture below is Simon paddling back from Cuthbert after emptying the water out. The paddle boards that I bought of a friend of a friend have come in really handy and we've had a lot of fun on them and they're a good workout😁
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| Si paddleboarding back from Cuthbert |
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| 1 weeks growth |
This is one of the leeks that we are trying to regrow :-D
Love to everyone!
Stay Safe!
Chat soon!
Jenny & Simon
XOXOXOXOX
Friday, 24 April 2020
24th April 2020
Finally had another good downpour last night Early morning storms are always great! It always feels as thought its right above the house, as it's so loud. Scary but exciting!!
It has been so hot here! Uncomfortably hot ..we have both been sweaty betty's LOL
I woke from my beauty sleep around 10am. Simon had been up ages, editing my latest video 'Up-cycling Jamjars' To see my latest masterpiece, tune into our Eco Koh Tao Facebook page :-D
This afternoon we popped down to Crystal to check on Cuthbert (eco boat) as we must have had over a foot of rain last night and we needed to turn on the bilge pump on to get rid of any excess water that had accumulated on the boat. We don't want him sinking :-( It was also a good excuse to get out of the house, do some shopping as food supplies are getting low and to go for a paddleboard :-D
After we'd checked on Cuthbert, we paddled out to Junkyard, our artificial reef 400m off shore. We also take mask & snorkels to check on things out there and practice a little bit of free diving on the mooring line. It's not deep, around 8m, deep enough for me ;-D
When we tied out boards up, we noticed some thin rope tied onto the mooring line. We pulled it up and there was a small breeze block tied to the end ...Hmm very odd. Perhaps someones put it there for free diver training but still, it shouldn't be there, . So after we played around in the water for a bit, we decided to bring the rope and breeze block up and back to Crystal. What we hadn't noticed at the end of the line was another rope attached which ran for about 30m with fishing hooks tied on every couple of meters. Luckily no fish were caught but there was a small coral boulder that had got caught ;-( This must have been placed in the last 24-48 hrs as the rope and hooks were very clean. Simon carefully pulled/removed the line and paddled back to shore, we took photo's of it and put it in our office for safe keeping. Some fisherman's going to be annoyed!! :-D
Hope everyone is safe and well.
Love and hugs
Jenny & Simon
XOXOXOXOXO
Missing everyone!!
It has been so hot here! Uncomfortably hot ..we have both been sweaty betty's LOL
I woke from my beauty sleep around 10am. Simon had been up ages, editing my latest video 'Up-cycling Jamjars' To see my latest masterpiece, tune into our Eco Koh Tao Facebook page :-D
This afternoon we popped down to Crystal to check on Cuthbert (eco boat) as we must have had over a foot of rain last night and we needed to turn on the bilge pump on to get rid of any excess water that had accumulated on the boat. We don't want him sinking :-( It was also a good excuse to get out of the house, do some shopping as food supplies are getting low and to go for a paddleboard :-D
After we'd checked on Cuthbert, we paddled out to Junkyard, our artificial reef 400m off shore. We also take mask & snorkels to check on things out there and practice a little bit of free diving on the mooring line. It's not deep, around 8m, deep enough for me ;-D
When we tied out boards up, we noticed some thin rope tied onto the mooring line. We pulled it up and there was a small breeze block tied to the end ...Hmm very odd. Perhaps someones put it there for free diver training but still, it shouldn't be there, . So after we played around in the water for a bit, we decided to bring the rope and breeze block up and back to Crystal. What we hadn't noticed at the end of the line was another rope attached which ran for about 30m with fishing hooks tied on every couple of meters. Luckily no fish were caught but there was a small coral boulder that had got caught ;-( This must have been placed in the last 24-48 hrs as the rope and hooks were very clean. Simon carefully pulled/removed the line and paddled back to shore, we took photo's of it and put it in our office for safe keeping. Some fisherman's going to be annoyed!! :-D
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| Line attached to the mooring with breeze block |
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| Thinner line with hooks every couple of mtrs |
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| Fishing hook 5cm ..Lethal!! |
Hope everyone is safe and well.
Love and hugs
Jenny & Simon
XOXOXOXOXO
Missing everyone!!
Monday, 20 April 2020
20th April 2020
Hi Everyone,
We hope everyone is well and making the most of their time at home.
Time is flying LOL
It's been a productive week. I've been on a DIY / Homemade session, making everything and anything that I had the ingredients for. Everything you see is 100% natural, ECO friendly and pretty easy to make.
Simon has been suffering from a bad back for the last week or so. It seems to be recovering very slowly which has been very frustrating for him as he can't enjoy our amazing workouts together or fully partake in his VR games. He's still been making pizza, pitta's, salsa, hummous, raita to name but a few of his culinary delights.
Yesterday we ventured out ..all the way down to Crystal to check on Cuthbert (the ECO boat) which was still afloat and started PHEW!! ..it was also an excuse to get our paddleboards out and go for a little paddle ;-D So refreshing sometimes to get out of the house and to see other people even though by the time we get back we find ourselves, I find myself moaning about people without face masks on and the lack of social distances LOL
This coming week, I shall be making DIY Mascare, Eyeliner, Gardeners Hand Scrub and Deodorant :-D
LOVE TO ALL!!
S & J
X O X O
We hope everyone is well and making the most of their time at home.
Time is flying LOL
It's been a productive week. I've been on a DIY / Homemade session, making everything and anything that I had the ingredients for. Everything you see is 100% natural, ECO friendly and pretty easy to make.
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| Cocount candles (Used coffee grinds & vanilla essence) |
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| Body Butter (Coconut oil, Shea butter & essential oil mix) |
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| Melt & Pour Soap (Honey & Lemon Grass) |
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| Whitening Activated Charcoal toothpaste (Baking Soda, Charcoal, Coconut Oil & Essence to flavour) |
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| Body Scrub (Used coffee grounds, Olive Oil & Sugar) |
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| Oil Reed Defuser (Olive Oil, alcohol, Essential oils) |
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| This was my DIY oil defuser jar which worked well but found the vase above |
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| Macrame plant holder no 1 (made from old Tshrt) |
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| Macrame plant holder no 2 (made from old Tshirt) |
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| Bathroom Cleaner (Baking Soda, Water, Essential oils) |
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| Toilet Cleaning Bombs (Baking Soda, Citric Acid & Washing up liquid) |
Simon has been suffering from a bad back for the last week or so. It seems to be recovering very slowly which has been very frustrating for him as he can't enjoy our amazing workouts together or fully partake in his VR games. He's still been making pizza, pitta's, salsa, hummous, raita to name but a few of his culinary delights.
Yesterday we ventured out ..all the way down to Crystal to check on Cuthbert (the ECO boat) which was still afloat and started PHEW!! ..it was also an excuse to get our paddleboards out and go for a little paddle ;-D So refreshing sometimes to get out of the house and to see other people even though by the time we get back we find ourselves, I find myself moaning about people without face masks on and the lack of social distances LOL
This coming week, I shall be making DIY Mascare, Eyeliner, Gardeners Hand Scrub and Deodorant :-D
LOVE TO ALL!!
S & J
X O X O
Saturday, 11 April 2020
11th April 2020
Hello everyone!
Today should have been the start of our long but exciting trip home to the UK to see all the family. Thanks COVID-19. We are both incredibly disappointed as you can imagine 😭
We don't know how long things will take to return to normality but when it does, we'll be back :-D ...so put all those plans on hold and think how much more we'll enjoy and appreciate each other once we're back. 😍
Life here is VERY hot at the moment, so the days have been long and sweaty 😅 We definitely need some rain.
To pass the time we've been doing out Nike workouts, weight training, VR boxing, baking and filming but a few days ago, Simon pulled his back whilst doing his Boxing VR session and has been in agony ever since. So now, he's very limited as to what he can do. Not nice!!
Today should have been the start of our long but exciting trip home to the UK to see all the family. Thanks COVID-19. We are both incredibly disappointed as you can imagine 😭
We don't know how long things will take to return to normality but when it does, we'll be back :-D ...so put all those plans on hold and think how much more we'll enjoy and appreciate each other once we're back. 😍
Life here is VERY hot at the moment, so the days have been long and sweaty 😅 We definitely need some rain.
To pass the time we've been doing out Nike workouts, weight training, VR boxing, baking and filming but a few days ago, Simon pulled his back whilst doing his Boxing VR session and has been in agony ever since. So now, he's very limited as to what he can do. Not nice!!
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| Evenings entertainment |
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| Getting ready for Easter |
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| Gardening |
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| VR but little movement |
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| Looking good workout ;-D |
Wishing everyone
a very
HAPPY EASTER
Love Jen & Si
XOXOX
Saturday, 4 April 2020
04th April 2020
Hi everyone,
How are you all doing? Keeping busy, safe and well we hope.
We're still at home entertaining ourselves. I think I mentioned that we're doing this 'Nike Training Class' ...it's good but we've just had 3 days of Yoga and to be honest, Simon hates yoga, so has been doing a boxing workout on his Oculus and I've persevered with it, it's really not our thing but hey, unless you try, you'll never know :-D
So, with the keep fit, virtual boxing, weight training, baking and up-cycling, we've been filling our days very easily. We should be a little bit fitter when all of this has calmed down and things return to normal ...whatever that is!
Today I made a couple draw string bags from one single use plastic bag. It was fun and pretty easy to be honest, so that might be one to video ;-D
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| 100% recycled |
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| Lavender Soap ..love the mold |
We've (Simon's) been very good with making & planning most of our meals so we don't have to go out. Tonight is treat night as we're going to order takeaway! Babaloo, Thai food is on the menu and it's going to be SPICY!!! Yearh!!!
Love to all!
XOXOX
Tuesday, 31 March 2020
31st March 2020 - Fun in self isolation.
We've been keeping ourselves pretty busy.
I'm a late riser and need my beauty sleep so have been getting up late morning! Simon on the other hand wakes very early, so has done a days work by the time I surface (really, I'm not that bad 😁)
Simon's made a couple of video's with me, the 'Star' LOL making Wax wraps and Banana cake which we've posted on our Eco Koh Tao facebook page to keep everyone amused. Check them out! The next one might be how to make handmade soap but you'll have to wait and see :-D
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| After our workout |
Yesterday was exciting, as we both ventured out of the house for the first time in ages. We needed to get some basic supplies. I got some meat and a couple of other bits whilst Simon got all the heavy essentials which is tough for me to carry on my pushbike
It was very odd, The roads seemed empty and so so quiet. Almost everyone I passed were wearing face masks and then noticed a few idiots outside a hostel, sat shoulder to shoulder ...Idiots!!!!
Anyway, you'll never guess who did I bump into, in the shop!
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| Shopping outfit |
SIMON!! LOL 😁😁
Today, I did a little gardening, trying to use up all the seeds we had in the cupboard. Not sure whether anything will come of them but I thought I'd give them a go. I'll keep you updated on their progress.
Love to all!
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| Chilli's, Dill & Onions |
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| Cress |
Love to all!
Jenny & Simone
X O X O X
Friday, 27 March 2020
26th March 2020
Hi everyone!
So Simon and I have been in self isolation since 23rd March. We are well, the only threat that we face is each other. A real test for poor ole Simon having to put up with me 24/7 LOL
Eco Koh Tao & Crystal Dive closed their doors on the 22nd March and all staff were advised to stay at home and to do self isolation. I don't really understand as to why not all the dive schools on the island didn't close as it's just prolonging the issue. Even today there are a couple still operating ...IDIOTS!!!!
Yesterday's announcement
Koh Tao Sub district - Koh Pha-ngan District.
Communicable Disease Control Officers in accordance with the Communicable Disease Act 2015, Koh Tao COVID-19 Prevention and Solution center give the following orders:
1. Requesting all citizens in Koh Tao. Please stay at home. If there is a need to go out or travel to various public places, always wear a face mask. Koh Tao Hospital, Police Station and Koh Tao Tourist Police will set up checkpoints, and will arrest those who do not wear masks in the following order.
2. Request for cooperation from government agencies, convenience stores, grocery stores, retail stores, wholesale stores and banks will not provide services to those who do not wear masks. To have the same standard as Koh Pha-ngan.
3. Restaurants, please refrain from eating and drink at the restaurant. Kindly ask for cooperation to takeaway and eat at home. Or to comply with Article 11 of the requirements issued under Article 9 of the Emergency Decree Act 2005 (Issue 1) dated 25 March 2020.
4. Prohibiting gathering or any activities or mingled at crowded places, or if you see pubs, bars, parties or people sitting together in groups, including Thais and foreigners, please inform the relevant authorities.
5. Prohibiting the storage of medicines, medical supplies, food, drinking water, or other goods necessary for daily consumption
* Anyone who does not comply with this announcement must be punished under Section 18 of the Emergency Decree in 2005
1. Requesting all citizens in Koh Tao. Please stay at home. If there is a need to go out or travel to various public places, always wear a face mask. Koh Tao Hospital, Police Station and Koh Tao Tourist Police will set up checkpoints, and will arrest those who do not wear masks in the following order.
2. Request for cooperation from government agencies, convenience stores, grocery stores, retail stores, wholesale stores and banks will not provide services to those who do not wear masks. To have the same standard as Koh Pha-ngan.
3. Restaurants, please refrain from eating and drink at the restaurant. Kindly ask for cooperation to takeaway and eat at home. Or to comply with Article 11 of the requirements issued under Article 9 of the Emergency Decree Act 2005 (Issue 1) dated 25 March 2020.
4. Prohibiting gathering or any activities or mingled at crowded places, or if you see pubs, bars, parties or people sitting together in groups, including Thais and foreigners, please inform the relevant authorities.
5. Prohibiting the storage of medicines, medical supplies, food, drinking water, or other goods necessary for daily consumption
* Anyone who does not comply with this announcement must be punished under Section 18 of the Emergency Decree in 2005
Today's announcement
"The government asks all people to stay at home for 7 days [unless emergency or groceries shopping], if people fail to comply with this, there will be a nation wide curfew imposed.
We've been occupying ourselves with baking, sorting, playing on Simon's Oculus (virtual reality game thingy), doing some step by step video blogs for Eco's facebook page, exercise video's and chilling :-D So busy busy!
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| Simon on his oculus quest |
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| The Hammock ;-D |
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| Office & gaming area |
Love to all, stay safe and well
Jenny & Simone
XOXOXOXOXOX
Sunday, 22 March 2020
22nd March 2020
Dear Chloe,
Wishing you the Happiest 18th Birthday!!
Sending lots of love and Birthday hugs
Jenny & Simone
XOXOX
Saturday, 21 March 2020
21st March 2020
A Very Happy Birthday
You to me are everything the greatest thing that love could be
OH BABY!!!
Happy Birthday Simone!!
LOVE YOU !!! 😍
Thursday, 19 March 2020
20 March 2020
Dear Iona,
Simon and I wish the best Birthday EVER!!!!
Sending lots and lots of Birthday Hugs on this very special day!
We will celebrate when we eventually come back to the UK.
Thinking of you lot today
Aunty Jenny & Uncle Salmon
XOXO
Monday, 16 March 2020
17 March 2020
Many Happy Returns Chris!
Enjoy your day
We shall be thinking of you!
X X
and
wishing everyone a very
HAPPY ST PADDY's DAY
Sunday, 15 March 2020
15 March 2020
Hi everyone!
We hope that everyone is well and that you're not going crazy with all this Coronavirus hype. So many people having to cancel plans, flights, trips. I hope it doesn't get any worse or it blows over (wishful thinking) before we head back to the UK, as we're both looking forward to coming back in April and don't want to spend half our trip in isolation ..it's going to be so much fun ..NOT!
We are both good. Work has been really busy with courses, Eco Interns, so it's been full on trying to keep them all occupied. They're a nice bunch and they're have been pretty proactive, so have been able to just let them get on with tasks :-D Makes such a nice change when you don't have to micromanage people. Rare to have so many interns with common sense too ;-D
It's been hot hot hot here! 40 degrees most days, just a little bit too hot for my liking. The visibility has been pretty terrible for the last month or so, only around 3-6 meters. Not the best diving conditions but at least the corals are being protected a little from the UV rays, so they're less likely to bleach ...fingers crossed.
Last Wednesday we joined a hike and cleaned up at one of the less visited bays, Lighthouse Bay. A startling 213 bags of trash were collected from the beach & rocks. Most of the garbage was single use plastics, polystyrene, flip-flops, lighters, toothbrushes, syringes, bottles, rope, fishing lures. This was just one bay ...what are we doing to our planet?!
Love to all!!!
We hope that everyone is well and that you're not going crazy with all this Coronavirus hype. So many people having to cancel plans, flights, trips. I hope it doesn't get any worse or it blows over (wishful thinking) before we head back to the UK, as we're both looking forward to coming back in April and don't want to spend half our trip in isolation ..it's going to be so much fun ..NOT!
We are both good. Work has been really busy with courses, Eco Interns, so it's been full on trying to keep them all occupied. They're a nice bunch and they're have been pretty proactive, so have been able to just let them get on with tasks :-D Makes such a nice change when you don't have to micromanage people. Rare to have so many interns with common sense too ;-D
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| The eco gang |
Last Wednesday we joined a hike and cleaned up at one of the less visited bays, Lighthouse Bay. A startling 213 bags of trash were collected from the beach & rocks. Most of the garbage was single use plastics, polystyrene, flip-flops, lighters, toothbrushes, syringes, bottles, rope, fishing lures. This was just one bay ...what are we doing to our planet?!
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| Bags filled previously but needed rebagging |
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| Only way to take the bags off, canoe to dive boat |
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| Disheartening |
Love to all!!!
XXXXXX
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