And on the third day – the sun actually came out, and threatened to stay out.
Having by now experienced a good chunk of beach life, and slightly perturbed by the prospect of a day with a sand eating baby, and his older siblings wanting to do something else shortly after getting there (as is often the case once they have been informed that we’re spending the day somewhere) – before any smaller folk could suggest something like another walk to Bournemouth pier, we decided to head to Poole for a spot of crabbing instead.
After a slightly eventful bus journey, which involved the 11 year old punching her 9 year old brother squarely on the nose having suffered a severe dose of “being overly irritated by a sibling-itis”, and the baby deciding to clamp his teeth firmly into my thumb and then not let go (reminding of some kind of medieval torture device – with a few medieval style contorted agony facial expressions from me to match!), we made it to this historic seaside town – famous for its pottery, seafood, big posh boats, seaside pubs and crabs. Lots and lots of them.
A quick walk along the quayside took us past the flotilla of boat tours, and on to the old lifeboat house that sits serenely at the water’s edge. Do take advantage of any and all crustacean catching related activities that might occupy the rest of your family to take a look inside. It’s compact and very cute, and there’s a good bit of British history on offer – not to mention lots of opportunities to be grateful for such valuable lifesaving services that the (mostly voluntary) RNLI provide. It also has a ghost. You can’t beat that (not that I saw it!)…
A few steps from this you will find a tiny bait hut, complete with very friendly couple who will happily exchange a few English pounds for a crabbing bucket, some rather smelly bait (a mackerel fillet), a plastic knife, and a crabbing line. I can safely say that this was the best few English pounds spent during our time home, as it kept both Small People and Grandad (and a tiny person who wanted to get in on the act…) very happy for a good few hours whilst I sat on a bench and caught a few well earned rays…
Now, we’ve had crabbing experience before – having been introduced to the delights during our time in Denmark. I remember the Small Girl telling anyone who would listen that she had successfully caught her few harbour crabs with big chunks of seal, when it was actually sild (herring!). It was in Norway however, where we hit the crabbing jackpot, as we were let into a little secret – crabs aren’t really bothered about mackerel, and although they like herring, they LOVE bacon…
So out of our two experienced crabbers who was the champion of the day? The Small Girl – who despite losing her entire kit (bucket and all) before she had even started by knocking the lot off the sea wall (Grandad to the rescue!), and then sustained a rather nasty crab claw pinch as she tried to manoeuvre one fighting crab into her brother’s bucket, went on to catch 8 fine marine specimens, compared to her (mildy raging and very competitive) little brother, who caught a single lonely pincher…
The Kings Head directly next to Poole Museum looked after us afterwards when we needed a rest. This popular ancient pub not only has friendly staff, it boasts the loveliest pub garden surrounded by historic buildings should the weather prove favourable. Just the place after a busy morning’s fishing…
And by the end of the day, once they were settled in bed, I asked the Small People what they thought of their first British Seaside experience? The two that could answer intelligibly expressed their immense enthusiasm for it, and one of them has now added “rock maker” to his list of possible future jobs. Thanks for taking us Grandad x
A few crabbing tips should you need them:
- Take your own bucket if you have one to hand, this will save you money when buying all the gear;
- do take antibacterial handwipes, definitely a necessity after lots of cutting up chunks of herring;
- warn children not to sit too close to the edge or they risk knocking everything into the sea, and quite possibly themselves too;
- fill your bucket with water, and a few rocks etc. to make your crabby friends feel at home, and get started!;
- let the weight on the line touch the bottom of the bed, wrap the line gently around a finger and wait for a tug – gently does it now or they will drop off before they reach the surface (a fishing net can be useful here!);
- remind children to handle the crabs carefully, they are living creatures after all (and can pack a hefty nip if you don’t!), gently put them back once you are finished;
- crabs like bacon more than mackerel;
- do visit the little lifeboat house if you get a spare minute, it’s really worth it;
- The Kings Head is good for lunch, and if you are looking for something more substantial for dinner, then might I suggest the Italian institution that is Fillipos, a little further up the road towards Bournemouth.
There you have it, crabbing by numbers!
I like your tips at the end – crabbing seems like a fun activity for children to enjoy on a day at the seaside.
Thanks Nadine! (:
we love crabbing although we normally go to Mudeford rather than Poole as you get a better haul, but looks like you did well
We will save Mudeford for next time! :D Thanks Kara!
I feel bad that I’ve never taken Rory crabbing. Do you think he would it enjoy it now if I suggested it to him.
By the way, this post did make me chuckle – great writing as always x
Thanks Trish. I am sure Rory would still enjoy it! :D X
OOh you are in my neck of the woods – Bournemouth is my home town! Looks like you had loads of fun!
We had great fun. You must love living there all year around! Thanks Sonya! (:
Great tip about the bacon, and I’m glad you had a great day.
Is it wrong that I’m secretly glad other people experience sibling-itis?
xx
Not at all wrong. End of the summer holidays sibling itis is EVEN WORSE!! :D Thank you x
Crabbing on Mudeford Quay was a compulsory part of holidays with Grandpa. My girls love it – and I do too as Grandpa and I always enjoy either cappuccino and croissants (first half of day) or bottle of wine and crisps (later part of day). Your tips are spot on Emma and part of the whole crabbing experience I always love is sharing tips with other “novice” crabbers arriving later than yourselves!! Nothing better than allowing yourself a little gloat when your buckets half full of crabs hey?
Tried crabbing in North Wales this year – wasn’t the same. Someone needs to train the crabs there in the drill !!
Great memories for when they are older! Thanks Jayne! (: x
Oh my I’ve not been crabbing for years. I forgot how much fun it can be
It was a fun day! :D Thanks Clare!
Wow, sounds like an amazing day out, well done your small girl! My teenager would love this. He’s always looking for crabs on the beach. Surely we can do crabbing here in Ireland? Never though about it before so cheers for putting it into my head. Sadly, and ironically quite interesting in a way, the ‘excitement’ on our local beach yesterday and today was a fatally injured beached whale washing up. Poor thing :( (mentioned it on Instagram) xx
I bet you could do it there, you have such a gorgeous coastline! How sad about the poor whale though. My friend lives in Ennis and quite often goes to the coast to watch them… :/
I always went crabbing with Bacon! I loved doing it when I was little. We lived by a seawater boating lake and the crabs would just walk up the reeds with no need for bait! It always seems to me as a typically english thing. Lots of people go crabbing at Whitby too
Walking up reeds sounds much easier!! Thanks Jen! (:
Keep hearing about crabbing but never tried it…think the girls would enjoy having a go at it
They would love it! Thanks Fozia! (:
Ha! Ha! This made me laugh a lot!!!xxx
It was a funny few days! (: x
Awh what a great family activity. We haven’t been crabbing for a few years but the boys do love it and I think last time we used bacon and they all came running! We live a long way from Poole but would love to go there next time we are in the area. x
Thanks Louise! (:
Great tips, we went to Mudeford last week (just a few miles down the road from Poole) and did the same, it was our first time and the girls had a ball. Mich x
It’s really fun isn’t it? Thank you! :)
eeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk I have a major fear of crabs lol. I was brave and looked at the pictures!! It sounds like everyone had a great day!! x
Oh no, so sorry Angela! You are brave, I am the same with caterpillars, I wouldn’t have opened a post with them in it! :D
My Granddad used to take me crabbing when I was little – this bought back great memories x
Aw thanks Jo! (: x
Sounds like you all had a great time – and more productive than fishing on Chilbolton Common! x
Slightly more productive, and nobody fell in completely this time! :) xx