Is This The Most Polluted Beach in France? (Mimizan Plage)

[@mac760]

Trisha was absolutely right , 90% of what you saw there was washed up after winter Atlantic storms . If you look closely, you'll see that the garbage lines up with the tidelines . The debris that ends up in the sea is a human problem , not just a French problem . I live 2 hours North of those beaches and I can assure you they are normally pristine and I'm sure they will be before the summer arrives . Might be an excuse to come back and check it out again 😊

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Yes that's a good excuse, I'm sure the local authorities do a good job but they are fighting an ongoing battle 🙄

[@colinhorne115]

I was there yesterday and you would have been hard pushed to find a cigarette but. As gas been said this is 99% winter storm deposits from far afield. The wierd objects are probably from a container lost at sea.

[@michsink7533]

Hallo Mike & Trisha! The plastic stacked things are called Oyster Spat Collectors. “Spat Collectors or 'Chinese Hats' | For Oyster Seed Collection. Collectors come mounted on bars of 45 units. These collectors are perforated and are used in the collection of both gigas and edulis spat. The perforated version are particularly used with flat oysters.” Enjoy the rest of your time in France!

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

I have just been reading up on it following your comment, and you are absolutely right, thanks for letting me know. You would think that they could use a natural material rather than plastic which ends up polluting the oceans and beaches.

[@LindaHulbert-x5r]

Loving your videos. We stayed at a site in Spain where there were thousands of processionary caterpillars, it was awful they were everywhere. We didn't even dare let our dog out and we moved on early the next day, despite having paid for three nights. The rubbish on that beach makes you want to weep. Keep safe and kisses to Kiera xx

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, I think the caterpillars are more of a problem in Spain but they are starting to get really bad in France too👍💕🐾

[@megaten1977]

This is something that happens every year. The north coastal spanish towns have their landfills and recycling centres near the sea and rivers so every time a storm happens, it is the same: with the currents, all the rubbish is washed up North and lands on the South West coast of France. It has been an ongoing battle with Spain and no matter how many times it happens, it comes back. Local authorities and inhabitants clean the beach everytime but don't really have control over it. Beach is absolutely pristine for summer, washed every day, sometimes twice a day. They had a massive storm in 2012. What you saw is nothing. Heart brraking seeing my hometown like this even if I have left for over 24 years now😢

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks for sharing that, it must be terrible for the locals, and completely sympathise with them, it's such a beautiful place being trashed from a far.

[@levt7651]

I wonder if those things on the beach are beach umbrella bases? Like, stick the pole in and bury the disc part. Yeah, that was a LOT of trash!!!! I keep a handheld vacuum in my van. I also always take my shoes off at the entry, but somehow still have to sweep daily, lol. I have to blame my little dog. He's got twice as many feet as I do and he runs around barefoot everywhere 😊

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

The plastic things on the beach are used for growing oysters in the sea, somebody told me in the comments and I looked it up and they are spot on 👍💕🐾

[@janetbowen7854]

We're always litter picking, particularly on beaches, but you're right, there was just too much litter. How sad. Xxx

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Us two, but we didn't have a bag and there was so much it just wasn't feasible 😱

[@MegaBreadvan]

Just,catching up with the videos. We've gone the opposite way and visited the UK from where we're based in France. Nothing but rain over there! "April showers". We're in the Paris region and have been plagued with les chevilles processionaires in our garden in the past. Getting rid of their nests in trees isn't cheap. In the end a large pine tree was the constant culprit so we had to have it cut down. At the time our children were young and we had a dog. So a worry. We don't really see them now. Les Landes, where you are, is very beautiful with those pine forests. We stayed inland for a few weeks once. Further north you have the dune de pilar. Nearby the famous French films Camping & Camping 2 & 3 were filmed. Starring Franck Dubosc, who had appeared in Coronation Street back in the late 80's. Bonne route à tous les 3.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

That must have been terrible having these caterpillars in your garden, they always seem to nest in the pine trees there were some in our next video and it's one of the reasons we moved on. Hope you enjoyed the UK just as much as we have enjoyed France👍💕🐾

[@MegaBreadvan]

@@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot They were definitely scary and I really don't blame you both moving on. It was nice to be in the UK again. Went on some nice rural walks then stayed on for a further week by myself, at a friends place. Unfortunately that week was very rainy (quite unlike the UK LOL). So it was nice to have a good natter in English and for us to go down the pub. Two things I miss living over here. 😊

[@nane8525]

We have seen this rubbish on the beach in December in France near Bologne sur mer. Have no words, how stupid mankind is. Never seen this on Scottish beaches. Thanks for taking us with you on your journey. Greetings from Germany.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Well said, it can also be a problem on Scottish beaches but not nearly as bad as that 😱

[@Kermit-Si]

I did laugh, when Mike said "Do we need a bigger brush " the royal "we", a he stood watched Tricia do the sweeping, he was holding the camera though 🤣🤣 I think your both a great team.👍🐸

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, hey someone has to do the filming 😉

[@CamperTeddy]

Hi Mike and Tricia, I love your videos! As your van is new you might like to know where your starter batterie is located. When you take the front carpet up you'll see a large cover on the passenger side with openers on all four corners. I needed a new batterie last week and couldn't find it under the hood!!!!! Had to google it!!!! Have a wee look under the cover! Keep on making these great videos ! Greetings from Spain Susan and Teddy

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks you two, our dealer pointed that out during the handover, a bit odd we thought, but good to know👍💕🐾

[@Wheres_wanda_wandering]

What a shame about that beach. Take care Gill

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Gill, it sure was a disgrace 😱

[@TimmysFavs]

What a shame the beach was in such a state! Obviously not holiday season so I'm guessing it will be cleaned before then? We have a small hand-held rechargeable vacuum that we take with us that doesn't take up much room. Thanks for the upload.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks that's a geek idea maybe we will look at a hand held vacuum 👍💕🐾

[@Mary-fq6sm]

I’m surprised with so many large rugs in your new van. We have one rug at the entrance door, one small one at the bedside & one in the bathroom. It’s so easy to sweep up with a broom & shake the small rugs. Of course we have a 28” trailer so a different set-up.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

We had thought about leaving the rugs at home to make it easier to sweep out, or maybe think about less rugs like you👍💕🐾

[@johnchristie3798]

I am glad it was WE DID A GOOD JOB, I only saw one person cleaning, no names😂. And the beach makes the Ferry look nice. Enjoy the rest of your holiday

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Somebody needs to supervise, made a living out of it mate 😉

[@newbeginnings8566]

The disc thing is for oysters cultivations to grow on

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

That sounds feasible. I have searched online though and can't see any images or reference to the use of plastic cones in oyster cultivations.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Ok got it now you are right, they are called Oyster Spat Collectors.

[@moocowtp]

What a shock seeing all that stuff on the beach 😮

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Yes it was terrible to see 😱

[@adamshaw1032]

Those round plastic things are they put together and rope is out through the middle and used for fishing? Not sire but all I could think of

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

I don't think that's it, but nobody else has suggested anything in the comments so it's still a mystery 👍💕🐾

[@kevinbarry3380]

We camped at Mimizan plage. CynthiaB in the early eighties on a huge campsite almost on the beach, but it was quite quiet- can’t say the town stands out in my memory but it was nearly forty years ago.

[@kevinbarry3380]

Sorry my name appears in the middle must have hit wrong key! CynthiaB

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

It must have changed a lot since the 80's and I bet the plastic problem was not nearly as bad as it is now👍💕🐾

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

No probs, I hit the wrong key all the timescale 🤣

[@DavidGray-cx5zh]

was there couple of weeks ago. beach was spotless. That stuff obviously been washed ashore and will be cleaned up. we stayed on same aire and walked along footpath through town to beach avoiding the woodland walk with our dog.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Good thinking to avoid the woodlands. Maybe they have periodic clean-ups and the rubbish just keeps landing 👍💕🐾

[@yvonnethorpe5224]

Enjoyed your walk to the beach. Such a shame all the debris that gets washed up on to our beaches😔

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Tell me about it, it's a disgrace so it is, just wish those responsible could be held to account 👍💕🐾

[@ohioclassCcamper]

I bet they will clean the beaches for the main season. Alway sad to see what places look like in the of season. Nice video

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

I think so too, and others have commented that it is cleaned up periodically thank goodness 👍💕🐾

[@dianabelcher39]

How sad to see such a dirty beach, but I feel sure that is all washed up after a very windy storm so there is a lot of rubbish off fishing beats as well as what gets blown into the water in different places along the coast. Here in southern Argentina, after big storms the lonely beaches are full of junk washed off the fishing boats....

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Yes I think you are right Diana, it's just so terrible to see what some people are doing to our beaches and oceans.

[@JanelleVocate-Ames]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Yo!

[@janeconnors1807]

Well I thought this might be an interestingly sporty episode with the mention of the skate board park and a surfing beach. Maybe next time 😅. I would imagine that before the season gets underway the local authority will clear the beach of all that washed up debris, especially if its an up and coming place with new developments going up. I have to say whenever we are on any of the beautiful Scottish beaches its the thing to do to collect as much rubbish as you can. Not on that scale tho' 😮 I confess to taking a small stick vacuum when I go away. The middle bit comes out to do nooks and crannies and does carpets a treat. Folds away so takes very little space. Ah! The crumbs!! You can't have a crusty baguette, crispy croissant, delectable pastry without leaving a little evidence 😋

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

I am now being extra careful with crumbs, holding a plate under my chin when waiting anything that makes crumbs, and we need to be more disciplined in taking our shoes off before we come in!

[@alannorman1773]

Hi Mike and Tricia isn’t it awful what damage us humans do to our planet It shows how polluted our seas are Safe travels ❤❤

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Hi Alan, yes it's absolutely horrendous and such a terrible legacy we are leaving to future generations 😢

[@yaminthegrey]

Hari OM Yes, flotsam and jetsam... but then others come along and think they might just as well add to the trash... Clearly there is no civial attention to the beach as there might be in other places, which is a real shame. I quite understand your ire, Mike. Well done on the housework! YAM xx

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, and the housework was well overdue 👍💕🐾🤣

[@samm4265]

The rubbish on the beach is more than normal for this area, there was hurricane winds this year and it caused a lot of mess, the council will rake it up with tractors when the weather improves for summer, it has not been worth clearing as yet because the weather has been so bipolar.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Ah thanks for clarification 👍💕🐾

[@getawaygeese]

Shame about rubbish but guess bad timing hopefully not a normal sight ….. weather looks great …. One of the downsides of vanlife is floor cleaning - even worse on a beach trip tour I guess Stay safe guys

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks guys, it was quite shocking how bad it was👍💕🐾

[@mikepowell9326]

Cannot believe the rubbish on that beach it so sad humans destroy our world sending love to you all ❤

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Mike, it was just horrendous to see 😱

[@bobbyedal2737]

Wow, that beach was really bad. Yeah, I think a lot of it will have been washed up, but in the same breath, you'd think they would keep on top of it. Very nice place all the same.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

It was a great beach, just such a shame to have all that crap all over it. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@RedwoodsAndRain]

I’ve been wanting to do some mudlarking, but that is ridiculous! 😁

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Ha, yes it sure was👍💕🐾

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Still no excuse. Many beaches in the UK have tractors that sift the sand and remove rubbish. Especially washed up. Mablethorpe is a prime example. Spotless so is Cromer. George

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Looking at other comments it appears like they do that with a tractor periodically but I think they are fighting a losing battle.

[@cu3714]

All the rubbish comes from the ocean. During summer, the beach gets cleaned regularly, just not in Winter time.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, that's good to know👍💕🐾

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks good to know, if only those responsible for throwing rubbish away could be held responsible 👍💕🐾

[@fionamcphail2797]

Did you not say previously that you weren't going down the click bait title ????

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Hi Fiona, that thumbnail is a good representation of the content, that was my genuine reaction to that beach.

[@fionamcphail2797]

@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot think its your only vlog I havent watched lol ....youve had some trip !!

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

@@fionamcphail2797 yes we sure have, it's been fabulous, so enjoying being retired 😀

[@000caro555]

Shame about the beach covered in rubbish. Safe travels x

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, yes it was terrible to see 😱

[@georgesmart5673]

Sacre Blue mon ami! Looks like Blackpool after a September weekend🤫🤫🤫😂

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

It was just horrendous, Blackpool had nothing on this 😱

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

It was just horrendous so it was 😱

[@campervanmoochings]

The round plastic dome with a lump on top looks like a golf tee….Found at golf ranges…You put the ball on top and use your Driver to strike the ball…But what is it doing on the beach?…unless people are practicing their golf on the beach😊

[@ukaly1]

That beach is just a sad reflection of what our world has come to with loads and loads of garbage that we don't know what to do with. Our landscape has changed with huge cavities made from mining precious things from the ground and mountains made from buried garbage.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Don't think it was that but could be wrong, it's still a mystery to me 🤔

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

It's a very sad state of affairs I'm afraid 😨