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Take crabbing to the highest possible level by competing in the British Open Crabbing Championship held every year in the seaside village of Walberswick. Described as a competition for “children of all ages” – the only condition being that you weren’t born before 1890 - there can be few greater pleasures than joining the hundreds of competitors with line, weight and bait (bacon is said to be best, but the professionals will keep their choice to themselves) and then teasing the crab out of the water and into the bucket. If you can’t make it to Walberswick on Sunday 9th August this summer then any other day will do. Our daughters, now in their late teens, have the fondest memories of hanging off a bridge, filling a bucket with crabs and then releasing them, often a hundred at a time. An essential family experience.
Walberswick is in Suffolk, across the river from Southwold (take the rowed ferry) Details of the crabbibg championships at www.walberswick.ws/crabbing/
At the southern end of the three mile stretch of sandy beach in Studland is a secret rock pool cove, cut off by cliffs on both sides. Wait until the tide slides out before skirting round the cliff face and you’ll find yourself in a hidden world of crabs, fish, barnacles, snails and weird looking worms.
My favourite way to get a closer look at these pool dwellers is with an old detergent tablet net with a bit of chicken or meat inside tied to the end of a stick. Wait a bit for whatever creature is enticed and carefully lift it out of the water, its weight will close the net behind it so it can't climb out- just take care when letting the blighters go!
Studland Bay, Swanage, Dorset
This beautiful 17th century monastery is a hit with the tour buses, but even with the crowds it's a wonderful diversion from the beach, and a great way to see the entire island unfold from your car window as you climb Corfu's hills.
Perched high on a headland and surrounded by wild flowers, the orange buildings are wonderfully ornate inside, and you can look at the famous ceiling carving of the ‘Tree of Life’.
Be sure to cover your shoulders or wear respectable clothing, no matter how intense the summer heat!
Above the beach resort Paleokastritsa
A hangover from the island's British military and colonial past, we were surprised to find that cricket is a popular game in Corfu! The first game took place here between the two military groups on St George’s Day in 1823, and today you can have a game all over the island. The most popular greens are the Esplanade at Corfu Town, (although alot of that space is a car park now) and the brand new ground at Kontokali Marina. Things really kick off in July, and games last 35 overs.
Watch a game, or bring your own set and play!
Esplanade - right in the center of Corfu Town.
Kontokali Marina
Melbourne is getting a collection of great little restaurants along its bay and Vincents is another one. It has fantastic views across Port Phillip Bay and the surrounding bayside suburbs from the upstairs dining room.
The menu is mediterranean based and of course offers lots of fish choices.
The pastas were great as were the home made dips. Service was smart and efficient. BYO and also licenced, Vincents is just a nice place to go and have a meal
468 Beach Rd
Beaumaris
ph 95893161
www.vincentscaferestaurant.com.au
Google map: tinyurl.com/oezpl9
This museum is one of the most unique and fun museums I have ever been to. It is primarily aimed at kids but if you are young at heart you can have loads of fun crawling in tunnels and through caves along with the kids.
The highlight is outside the museum where you crawl around wire mesh several hundred feet above the ground and cap it off by sliding down a roller slide!
www.citymuseum.org -official site
For those living in the South of England, who can't afford to travel abroad (in these credit crunch times) and who want to experience a working vineyard then it is an ideal place to go. Fun for the family, tours, cafe and gift shop. The wine is quaffable too!
I think parents shouldn't underestimate how much their kid absorbs at a festival, big or small! I got taken to Glastonbury at nine-years-old with a friend and for me it was the most surreal but memorable weekend of my life.
As a small person, every colourful character, smell, taste and sound was somewhat magical.
My friend and I liked to make up stories about the people we saw walking past - such a thieves, delinquents, rock stars etc - kids really have developed senses of humour by that age!. Oddly I am grateful of even the toilet memories too, plus tons of life experience to never forget - like developing a great par with the surrounding adults.
It's a fond childhood memory of mine. On paper it is a nature park with a slow river that you can swim in, but in reality it is so much more than that. It has the classic swing rope and a little bbq area, and a beautiful forest trail to explore while drying off. Also a farm nearby and another lake that kids can swim in. Photos don't do it justice!
River Allen, Near Beltingham, 16k from Hexham, NY7962
getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm?mapAction=gaz&gazName=g&gazString=NY795625
Raiatea is the second largest of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. Raiatea means approx 'bright soft sky' in Tahitian and this island was the centre of Tahitian culture and religion for more than 1000 years.
It is thought that the migrations to Hawaii, New Zealand and other parts of Polynesia started from here. The main town on Raiatea is Uturoa. The best way to have a look around is to take the Island Drive which leaves from the end of the pier in Uturoa.
Stops along the way give access to the Botanical Gardens, views to Mt Temehani (the only place in the world where the white petalled Tiare Apetahi flower grows), visits to the pearl farms, motus in the lagoon and the various marae (traditional walled meeting places).
Far less touristic than Tahiti, Raiatea is defintely worth a visit.
French Polynesia
A great way to see the exotic marine life if you aren't quite ready to take the plunge into the deep blue.
We went on a 'snorkel-safari' around the island, and stopped off at the Barrier Reef to snorkel around the coral. The water is crystal clear, and you also get to swim (safely) with sharks and manta-rays.
If you don't fancy getting your feet wet, try the glass-bottomed boat tours around a lagoon- you get the glorious mountain scenery above, and the colourful fishes and coral below.
Another outstanding find in one of our inner city suburbs is Olives. Situated in the busy strip of Martin St (highway end) Olives was a great place for us to have a family dinner for Mothers Day last Sunday.
Olives' menu gave us a large number of choices for dinner, with most of the menu seafood/mediterranean based. Us meat eaters (and vegetarians) are also well catered for with special menu offerings.
A reasonably priced wine and drinks list is also offered for diners. Service was efficient and friendly with wait staff able to offer menu recommendations when asked. All in all, a nice evening out was had by all.
162 Martin Street
Brighton 3186
Ph: 9530 8884
100m from Gardenvale Station
www.olivesrestaurant.com.au/
Google map: tinyurl.com/ps6xf5
Fantastic choice of rural and seaside holiday cottages across the Isle of Wight.
www.islandcottageholidays.com
01929 481555
Surrounded by wooded hills and vine covered slopes, this rural agri is perfect for foodies and families alike. Breakfast on home-made preserves, tarts and local cheeses while taking in the views across to the wonderful medieval town of Sassetto.
The evening meal was our daily highlight, the friendly owner and his family served up delicious and unusual regional dishes always with an equally tasty veggie option. We chatted over plentiful supplies of the local wine at communal tables under the stars while the kids hunted in the grounds for wild boar and fireflies.
www.agriturismo.it/SantaLorica
65 euros per night per person half board
40 mins drive from the etruscan coast and nearest station and 1 hour from pisa airport
Lu Branu is a family run agritourismo, situated in the Costa Smeralda, in an area of around 150 acres of land. The farm produces its own food and wine, which are all typical of Sardinia.
Located near the town of Arzachena and within driving distance of at least 20 idyllic beaches, I would recommend this agriturismo especially to families with small children.
The owners are extremely friendly and hospitable. Children will love the play park and tennis court, as well as getting to know the animals and birds at the farm. Parents can relax in the laidback, safe, childfriendly environment.
address - Lu Branu, Giuanneddu 07026, Arzachena, olbia-tempio.
www.agriturismo.it/lubranu/enindex.asp
It is a stunning outing all the family can enjoy. The fresh water lakes, warm golden sand dunes and perfect bays where everyone can paddle. It feels like a mediterranean Heaven, just eight miles from the Devil's Punch Bowl on the A3.
It's a thrilling place to go, with many parks that kids from all ages can enjoy. I had a fantastic time there, and I didn't want to leave. It is deffinitly worth the money as you are very much entertained.
GP is a new place on the Waikiki Beackwalk which reminds me of the sports bar/deli setups shown in some of the USA TV series. Plenty to eat, drink and lots of large plasma TV screens to watch baseball, basketball, soccer or whatever ESPN is showing. A good place for a quick snack (the pizza is very good). GP serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from early 'til late. Service is good and the waiters chatty.
227 Lewers ST
Waikiki Honolulu
ph 808 923 2100
www.giovannipastrami.com/index2.html
One of the islands which make up the Hawaiian chain is Oahu, home of Honolulu and Waikiki. One of the thing all tourists should do is get a trip around the island, whether clockwise or anti-clockwise. The best way to do this is to hire a car (you can do it by public transport) but with local car hire rates very cheap ($39/day for us) a car is the way to go. Do not try this via scooter though, they are not allowed on the freeways or highways. The advantage of a car is you can stop when and where you like, to take a break, take a picture or grab something to eat. Driving also gives you access to the famous surf beaches on the top side of Oahu.
Oahu, Hawaii
Big Burgers? yes
Big Cheeseburgers? yes
Big bowls of chips? yes
Onion rings? yes
Salads? yes
Never ending glasses of Coke? yes
If you are hungry when you go upstairs to the latest Cheeseburger restaurant in the Hawaiian Islands, you won't be when you leave!
Upstairs in the new Beachwalk area in Lewers St, Waikiki a few steps beachside of the Kalakaua/Lewers Intersection (entry via the escalators)
Phone: 808-924-5034
cheeseburgerland.com/Users/Cheeseburgerland/Home.html
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