The last OWL (OUT With Litter) litterpick of 2018 and we couldn’t complain about the weather.
Four willing volunteers to start with, then five and eventually six at the end. Following our usual route for three of us, and with one heading for an area he was particularly keen to work on, we headed forth, not exactly treading in each others’ footsteps, but certainly seeking the places where the action had been.
One’s an Elf but is the other goblin’?!
We are so used to this that it was easy working as a team, using a technique where all of the cruising areas were visited and all of the hotspots removed of their load of condoms, condom foils, lube sachets, tissues and wipes.
It was good to have such fine working conditions.
Although the ground covering was different to that for the equivalent day in 2017.
Eventually we met up with Team member number 4.
Then it was time for refreshments – for today’s litterpick traditionally including a Christmas theme – mulled wine (excellent) and some very tasty Waitrose mince pies. There were mixed views on the Heston Blumenthal Cherry and Chocolate ones, but who can’t resist a mince in the woods at Christmas?! In any case, the refreshments were much-appreciated – as well as being significantly alcoholic.
Then onto more of the same with two groups heading in entirely different directions, both keen to ensure that a thorough clean was done during this, our last litterpick for a few months (these OWLs hibernate from now until April).
We were again pleased that much less litter is being left strewn around and far more use is being made of the various black rubbish sacks OWL has left strategically-convenient for post-shag detritus drop-off.
Finally it was back to base, seal the rubbish sacks and stack them creatively ready for collection.
Sorry to say it but this really was a rubbish Christmas Tree
Fifteen sacks of recyclable litter (bottles and cans) and eighteen of general rubbish including the sexual detritus we’d set off to prioritise.
An excellent day’s work to finish this season.
Thanks to everyone who has taken part in an OWL litterpick during 2018. And best wishes for the Festive Season to all who use the woods – for whatever reason!
(Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)