Before we get to today’s post, please understand I won’t be able to visit and read your posts this week. We have suffered the wrath of Mother Nature. We experienced the worst of the Eastern Cape rains the past week and to date have been dealing with damage control. Our roof, ceilings kitchen and bedroom need repair so my energy will be focused on that for the next while. I do have posts scheduled and will try keep up with moderating your comments. I am looking forward to catching up with you all soon again. 🙂
Saturday 16 September 2012 was International Beach Clean Up Day – it just so happens that our annual Sundays River Clean Up aka Trash Bash fell on the same day. This year, I was requested to take the “official” photos. I must say that taking shots of moving busy targets is somewhat more difficult than I had hoped. Food is definitely much easier.
Everybody registering and getting their peak caps, rubbish bags and protective gloves.
Full bags ready to go into the skip.
Waiting for the last of the boats to arrive and having some fun in the water.
Fun in the sun after a morning collecting rubbish; waiting for food and prizes.
The initiative is supported by various sponsorship who donate so many wonderful things. The kiddies from the local school come along to learn about the importance of keeping our environment neat and clean and after their morning of collecting rubbish were given a boerewors roll and cupcake and were given goodie bags filled with cool drinks, sweets, crisps, thermos mugs, some bags also had torches while others had water bottles.
Fun filled goodie bags.
Concentrating hard not to drop her plate while carrying her mystery goodie bag.
There was also a lucky draw to win a bicycle – one for the girls and one for the boys. There was also loads of lucky draw prizes which included cooler bags, stationery, toys, peak caps, tog bags and food packs.
A very proud young boy with his new bicycle.
A very happy little girl who couldn’t quite believe that this was her very own bicycle to keep forever.
It was reassuring to see that this year the skip wasn’t nearly as full as in previous years, so it seems people are starting to take more care of our environment. 🙂
The Complete Book 
Lovely photos, Mandy! I’m thinking of you – I hope the house repairs are ok, I was so sorry to hear about the flooding.. x
Thanks so much Celia. The start of the work has been delayed by another day as the weather is still not playing the game. Have a super week. 🙂 xo
What a wonderful beach clean my friend – a beautiful day and the whole community together is fantastic!
As for the rains I hope you are all ok! Do not worry about a thing about blogging my friend I hope it is all fixed soon!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks so much CCU! We are all fine. Just drained by this whole experience. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
Mandikins, was lovely editorial shots, they really tell the story of the day! I love the shot of the little girl with the plate, well done you! ♥
Aah, thanks M! You always know how to lift my spirits. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
Was wondering if the floods reached you, we have had lots of rain here too in Gauteng – no floods yet! Great photo’s of a wonderful initiative, keep it up.Hope you get all fixed up soon. Laura
Hi Laura, a few villagers homes were completely flooded – so sad! Seems majority of us suffered some sort of damage. The clean up with the kids is always such a fun day. Have a super day. 🙂
What a wonderful, wonderful event! My thoughts are with you Mandy – get yourself sorted and don´t worry about us…we´ll still be here when you get back 🙂
Thanks Tanya. Its wonderful having such an understanding blogging family. 🙂 xo
Such a great community event and the level of participation is remarkable. If only people could be convinced to not to litter up the landscape in the first place.
Sorry to read of the flooding and how badly it affected your home, Mandy. Don’t give your blog — or us — a 2nd thought. Your energies are needed elsewhere and we’ll be here waiting patiently for your return. In the meantime, I’m sure I’m not alone in sending positive thoughts and well wishes your way.
It is really sad that people still litter John – so necessary! Thanks for the support John. I am now ready to start the repairs! I have 2 very long lists! On the upside, my Mom and I made your magical plum cobbler and it is delicious! I will do a post just as soon as I can. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
Firstly I hope you are doing ok with the repairs Mandy!!
What a lovely post – and so important too! I think you did a great job of the photos, people shots can be so tricky. A fab day all round, Claire
Thanks so much Claire, as I type this, there are tiles being cut on the roof. I know the kids look forward to the river clean up every year and it’s lovely to see them enjoying themselves so much. Have a super day and I will catch up with you just as soon as I can. 🙂
What a great community event and it looks like the bikes were won by children who will love and appreciate them so that’s fabulous. I’m so sorry to hear of the damage to your property and I hope you’re able to have the repair work done swiftly xx
Thanks Charlie. We have made a start to the repairs this morning and the next couple of days are going to be quite stressful with having the roof open to the elements, hoping and praying that the rain will stay away. I am missing reading all your posts and will pop over just as soon as I can. Have a happy day. 🙂 xo
So sorry to learn about the water damage to your home. Hope the repairs are going well.
How wonderful to see all those young people participating in such worthwhile communnity event. You can be sure they will never litter.
Thanks Norma. So far, the repairs are going okay, I hope we can stay ahead of the weather until we are finished. Have a super day. 🙂
What a great idea to make the clean-up so fun! I love your photos.. it is harder than photographing food, that’s why I’m doing more of it.. it’s always fun to have a challenge:) I’m really so very sorry to hear you’ve got such damage to clean up, was it a frightening storm? We will miss you, but don’t worry about getting to our blogs, take care of yourselves!
Thanks Smidge. I have just had my first photography lesson and was so excited to start with lesson 2 then the weather happened and everything has come to a grinding halt until the repairs are complete. I grew up with thunder storms and have lived for many years on the coast so when the wind decides to hit the gale force mark, it makes it’s self known so I can say it was frightening, just scary thinking of all the damage. I hope to be back reading all your posts again next week. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
That’s a great initiative and looks like it was a fun day too.
I hope everything get fix soon and that mother nature will be more kind and careful next time. Take care 🙂
Thanks Giovanna. It has been quite a task keeping up with damage control but things are definitely under control now. The next 2 weeks will be geared at getting everything fixed. Have a super day and looking forward to catching up with you soon again. 🙂 xo
I am sorry to hear about mother nature and all the rain. I hope that things are resolved soon. Take care, BAM
Thanks so much Bam. We made a good head start with the roof repairs today. Seems there is more rain on its way, so just as well that we have started. Have a super day. 🙂
I am so sad for everyone who has been affected! I’m thinking of you 🙂
Thanks very much Tandy! I look forward to catching up soon! Have a happy day. 🙂 xo
Hope you get everything shored up quickly and safely!
Thanks Jed. I hope to be back to normal next week. Have a great weekend ahead. 🙂
–Thinking of you, my dear Mandy. Love Xxx
Kim, thank you so much! With the sun shining today, it already seems much better. Have a gorgeous weekend. 🙂 xo
What a lovely event! And I hope your clean up and damage control is going well. That is never fun to manage.
Thanks Kristy. I hope we can get the roof completely sealed before the next predicted rains. Have a super weekend. 🙂