Landlocked Mermaid

In case you missed it, I have been learning to dive since March with Shrewsbury Sub Aqua Club , a branch of BSAC , at Shrewsbury Quarry Swimming Pool. In a rash vest I bought especially. So why do I want to learn to dive? Well, I am a self proclaimed mermaid and what kind of mermaid can't explore the deep? It's more than that, though. I have always loved swimming, despite swimming slower than a Greenland Shark, and have always wished I could see what lies beneath the water. Underwater nature documentaries were always my favourite, as they are a window into that world. But I want to go through that window and see for myself! So, I have learned how to scuba dive. I chose to learn with Shrewsbury Sub Aqua Club as they are my local BSAC branch and I felt like I was in good hands learning with BSAC. The combination of theory, practical and 8 nice long weeks to learn it all over seemed like the right fit for me. And I didn't need to take massive amounts of time off...

I was hoping to have the next Sharks at 7 & 3/4 s filmed and edited by now, but the boy ran off half way through filming and then told me he doesn't want to do it because it was too stressful! So that is still in the works right now. Instead, have a #MCotM! Manta Ray via GIPHY Kingdom: Animalia Class: Chordata Conservation Status: Vunerable (VU) Found: International waters Diet: Zooplankton Weight: Up to 1,350kg (2,980lbs) Size: From 5.5m (18ft) to 7m (23ft) Habitat: Temperate, subtropical and tropical waters; pelagic waters. Manta rays, known online as majestic flap flaps (!), are huge and beautiful creatures. Just look at it flap along - look at it! Fangirling aside, they are incredible. There are two species of manta ray: M. birostris (the larger of the two) and M. alfredi (named after Prince Alfred). They are both very similar in appearance, with a few key differences. As already mentioned, M. birostris are larger, but they are also darker...

Dear Shropshire County Council, I'm sure you are well aware of the recent media attention plastic pollution has been recieving. Between David Attenborough's Blue Planet II and charities such as Surfers Against Sewage , the desire to turn the plastic tide is becoming greater. While I am aware we are landlocked Shropshire - our plastic waste is still an issue and is contributing towards the ocean pollution as roughly 80% of all waste in the ocean comes from the land. But to bring the issue back home, our streets are covered in single-use plastics. With the recent good weather over the Bank Holiday weekends, I, personally, saw a massive increase in litter spread far and wide across my town. Water bottles, lolly wrappers, cans, take out containers. It was everywhere. Just a small example   While I do not blame you for the publics' wanton littering, all this rubbish begged the question: Where are all the bins? Some context for you, I live in Market Dra...