Shrimps and Sandwiches

Since my early childhood I’ve loved the experience of pushing a net through the shallows and rock pools of our coastline. In fact any sort of beach or intertidal foraging provides such great excitement and when productive, is incredibly rewarding. Brown shrimps are my favourite quarry and following one or two test forays with very willing and understanding friends and guinea pigs, this year we have established the ‘Shrimping Safari’ at beaches along the Suffolk Heritage Coast.

Now you can join me on my low tide forays, hunting for these delightful little sea-jewels, learning about the flora and fauna of our shallow seas and cooking and eating our catch only yards from the water’s edge. You will get wet, and you might get cold, (depending on the weather) but you will have an experience like no other and eat some of the most underrated and delicious shellfish that our waters yield.

Guidance, shrimping equipment and hearty encouragement are provided for everyone. All you need to bring is stout footwear, clothes you don’t mind getting wet or covered in sand and bags of enthusiasm. After our adventure (usually about an hour at dead low water, on the slack tide), we’ll cook our catch and peel and eat these wonderful little crustaceans and who knows, you might have found your new hobby.

Under our stunning Suffolk skies and with the rush of the surf around our feet, we patrol the shallows, armed with our trusty push nets (which you can also purchase to take home) and collect whatever we are able to sift from the sandbanks that appear at low water.

The brown shrimps of course are the main quarry, but other varied and equally fascinating sea-life often appears in the mix; depending on the time of year we can find juvenile flatfish - soles, plaice, flounders, dabs or occasionally a turbot or brill. Pipefish, sand gobies, sea gooseberries, shore crabs, juvenile brown crabs and other jellyfish are commonplace under the right conditions. Occasionally, we’ll happen onto a lesser weever, with, for the unwary, its unwelcome poisonous dorsal spine and accompanying painful sting.

Whatever we catch, (hopefully enough shrimps for a feed) we have a lot of fun. Fresh air, ozone, salt and seawater are a perfect blend for feeling absolutely alive and in tune with nature’s wild bounty. The trips last roughly 3 hrs from start to finish, culminating with Brunch or High Tea on the beach, depending on a morning or afternoon tide. We’ll then cook the shrimps in seawater and enjoy with homemade bread and butter and a mug of something reviving!

I’m currently sorting out dates for 2020 and will post them on the ‘Events’ page of this website. Booking is via Eventbrite, but of course you’re welcome to email or DM anytime to enquire or just to ask questions.

I do hope you’ll join me…

Mike