One of my childhood memories is of Shrimp Netting on the North Norfolk Coast, it’s something that I added to our Summer of firsts 2012 for J (not T just yet) to do and I was so happy that a couple of weeks ago we had some great weather and were able to get to the beach with Nana and Pops. Pops is the ultimate shrimp netter and he took J, my nephew Z and Auntie A to the sea for an adventure in the waves.
Now shrimp netting isn’t using large nets it’s hand shrimp netting pushing a flat bottomed net along the sand in the waves to collect shrimps for cooking or anything else that you can find. In the picture above Auntie A is carrying the net – this net is ancient (well at least as old as I am) and we are looking for some more so that we can have our own one but they would be easy enough to make.
Pop took each of the boys out in the waves pushing the net in front of them to see what was under the water and living in the sand – isn’t it such a great way to explore somewhere that you wouldn’t normally be able to see without getting your face in the water. When they pulled the net up they returned anything duplicated to the sea and kept the unusual things to show Nana, T and me on the beach.
J examining his and Z's finds from the ocean floor
J was fascinated by the finds in his bucket – it was lovely to see him interested and wanting to know about what he had caught as well as very proud showing myself and Nana as well as attempting to show T (although she wasn’t at all interested).
The catch from the sea floor
In our catch was 2 different species of crabs, a sea louse and a cockle. With a bit of water in the bottom of the bucket it was possible to keep the creature on the beach in the shade of our UV tent whilst we looked at them in more detail.
J examining one the crabs from his bucket
As I have mentioned before J is very gentle with creatures that he finds and it was no different with the crab – however the crab was not as gentle with him and Pops and I taught him the correct way to hold a crab so as not to get pinched (from the back between the back legs – not across the top of the shell).
Our baby crab
Our book link this time is I’m the Biggest thing in the Ocean – it’s a great book with a range of sea creatures from the smallest plankton to the largest Whales included. The pictures are great and because it covers the small creatures it was really good to speak to J about some of the smaller animals in the sea as well.
Tat says
Those are great finds, I’d be fascinated, too!
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
Thank you – I was amazed at was we found as well
Coombemill says
Now that looks like good old fashioned learning made fun. What a great day out and so much to discover too. Mine all love to take a net to the beach and see what they can find. An activity J and T will continue to enjoy for years to come. Thank you for sharing on Country Kids
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
Old fashioned are the best – and something that we will be repeating as soon as it stops raining 🙂
Marnie says
Hey there…we’re spending lots of time at the beach this summer in NEW England on the Cape. I love this book. Thank you for the inspiration!!
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
Shrimp netting is so much fun I used to do it as a child and loved it – we even used to catch some big enough to eat as well – they were lovely BBQ’d
mari says
I need to stop by and check out this Meme sight, sounds fun.
Just wanted to invite you to stop by and link up your Children Book inspired post (New or Old) in our 6 Week Summer Reading Adventure http://inspiredbyfamilymag.com/2012/06/12/summer-reading-adventure-week-1-tickle-monster/.
Have a great week!
Mari
http://www.inspiredbyfamilymag.com
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
Hi, Thank you so much – I’ve linked up a few from this week and will come and link up some next week as well
Charlotte says
Looks like you guys had a lot of fun! Hoping to get to the beach this Summer so will see what the coast of Eastbourne holds for us!
Thanks for stopping by The Sunday Showcase, hope to see you again this week!
Charlotte
makedoandfriend.com
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
We will do
maryanne @ mama smiles says
How fascinating! I love the tiny crabs 🙂
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
I was a little disappointed that we didn’t catch any shrimps though – I’m guessing a little too close to the shore line
Jane @ Mama Pea Pod says
What a great experience for him! We’re hoping for some non-freezing-cold-and-foggy weather so we can explore the beach here soon, too. Thanks for sharing at the Outdoor Play Party.
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
I think we may have caught the only beach day of the summer in the UK as well 🙁