That's right... 

871,126 MILES 
185,004 KILOS OF RUBBISH 

These are the latest numbers from the Surfers Against Sewage Million Mile Clean. And yet still there is more to collect. Which is why, as part of our S A L U T E  T H E  S E A mini retreat next week we'll be doing our bit too - using the kit kindly supplied by SAS to clean up the beautiful space that kindly hosts us for the day. 

Of course, the problem of the health of our seas goes further than just the rubbish (often plastic) collecting on our shores. Which is why we're also making a 5% donation to Project Seagrass - a local organisation dedicated to saving and restoring seagrass meadows not just here in Wales and the UK but all around the world. 

We're losing seagrass at an estimate rate of two football pitches per hour you see, and while it might only occupy 0.1% of the seafloor it's particularly efficient at carbon capture (more so than tropical forests) and responsible for 11% of the organic carbon buried in the ocean. 

And do you know what, both of these things are such small contributions in the grand scheme of things. But what is non-negotiable to me as I move forward in this work is the fact of giving something back, however small, as a result of everything that I do.

 ~

Now what I'll be doing of course is equally important if you're to make the leap and come along with me for the ride. On which note...

We'll be meeting next Sunday at 9:30, collecting ourselves and our things for a mindful couple of miles walk through the dunes of the Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve. The total expanse of the dunes is actually 840 acres and home to the appropriately named Big Dipper, the second biggest sand dune in Europe (which, I hasten to add, we won't be walking over...).

When we arrive at the beach, we'll set up for a practice that is very much influenced by the surroundings - starting with a guided meditation and segueing into steady and intentional movement that connects us even more deeply to our surroundings and each other. Our savasana will be the stuff of dreams - held by the sand, with a soundtrack of rolling waves and, if the forecast is to be believed, looking up at a beautiful clear blue sky. 

There's a swim after practice for anyone who wants to partake - perhaps a cleansing of sorts, or simply another step in communing with the surroundings. Know that swimming is optional however- with opting out entirely within your means.

Lunch follows practice - a gathering of beautiful souls at a sheltered spot in the dunes. I'll be bringing the sweet treats,  and we'll each supply our own food - it seems most appropriate given the current circumstances.

After lunch we clean (you can even track your clean miles if you're a Strava fan)! And then we take that mindful walk back through the dunes to where we began (but still no climb over the Big Dipper!).

 ~

For those of us choosing to join  S A L U T E  T H E  S E A, this time next week will be the point at which we're telling our friends, partners and family what a wonderful experience we've just shared - having come together in community, movement, nature and service.

Oh and really, I'm not making it up... there will be sunshine too ☀️

I would so much love for you to be one of us. So if you're decided, you can check out the details, and book yourself in. And if you have questions, or there's something standing in your way that I can help with, please do drop me a line. 

With love,
Lisa xx