Being on holiday is the perfect time to indulge in pointless activities. In the case of Walberswick, this means catching crabs.
Equipment needed:
1 crabbing line per child, available at all good seaside shops,
1 long-handled net, the larger the better,
some bacon – large chunks are easiest for tying to the line,
and 1 bucket for containing the little critters once you’ve caught them.
Instructions:
1. Find a good fishing spot. A bridge over an estuary or below a weir are ideal.
2. Then you need to bait your crabbing line with a big chunk of bacon. Crabs prefer their bacon smoked. Why, is one of life’s little mysteries.
3. Cast your line into the water and wait a short while. It is not necessary to put the line in your mouth. Unless you are two years old of course.
4. Pull your line out of the water. If you have chosen a good spot, you will have three or four crabs hanging off the bacon. Catch them in your net.
5. Put the crabsin the bucket and cast your line again.
6. When you have had enough, gently tip your bucket outonto the bank of the estuary and count your crabs. We caught 26. You could always introduce an element of competition here.
7. Help the crabs back down into the water, unless you enjoy the spectacle of seagulls eating crabs alive.
7. Repeat each time you get bored of sandcastle making. I said it was pointless didn’t I? But sometimes pointless is great.
