Dorset Day 2 - Crabbing, West Bay Beach and Cliffs

Day 2 of our Dorset holiday and we stayed in West Bay all day. In the morning the kids all wanted to go crabbing in the harbour which was just lovely first thing in the morning. Using smelly old bacon we had never been so successful with crabbing before and were pulling up 1-3 crabs each time the net came out of the water. I think we bagged something like 15 crabs in the end making me regret only buying one bucket for 3 crabbing nets!

After crabbing we had some lunch before spending the rest of the day on the beach. The boys got to use their paddle boards in the sea for the first time (after getting the lifeguard to pump them up with his electric pump as our pump had broke). Holly tried a bit of body boarding but there really wasn't any waves down in Dorset

After the beach we went back to the glamping tent for a clean up before heading out the the restaurant for dinner making the most of the "Eat Out To Help Out" scheme which saved us a fortune this week. Then to walk off a nice meal we decided to walk to the top of the West Bay cliffs to see the stunning views as the sun started to go down.

At the end of the day we had all done a lot of walking in high heat and were pretty exhausted. So it was back to the glamping tents to chill out with more drinks, Uno and some laughs.

It didn't take too long to start reeling in the crabs at West Bay.

I only bought one bucket for the crabs and this soon filled up.

Sitting on the harbour wall doing some crabbing.

Brandon out enjoying the morning sunshine.

Lovely to see all 3 kids participating in the crabbing and enjoying it.

Josh tempting fate hoping not to fall in.

The bucket starts to fill and the crabs look like they are fighting each other.

AT times I couldn't keep up with how quickly they were pulling them up.

And while all this was going on Tina was chilling wearing Holly's holiday hat.

Once we were finished we set all the crabs free.

Then after lunch we hit the beach to cool off in the piping hot sun.

First trip out on the sea on the paddle boards.

Lovely picture of Holly, she absolutely loves playing in the sea.

Brandon out on his paddle board.

Holly using her body board in front of West Bay cliffs.

She had fun even though the waves were very small.

More pics of Brandon paddle boarding.

The boys took their snorkel masks and were jumping off the paddle boards looking for fish.

Brandon chilling on his board.

Joshua enjoying keeping cool in the sea.

A rare picture of one of the boys standing on their paddle board.

Action shot....

Joshua looking for fish with the snorkel and mask on.

I have to say the arcades / 2p machines are grim when you have to wear masks. I couldn't wait to get out.

Holly didn't seem to mind though.

After dinner it was time for the walk up West Bay cliffs.

The picture doesn't show how steep and high this climb is.

Holly leading the way to the top. Tina struggling behind with her Asthma.

Finally at the top and what a view. Just look at that water.

Stunning coastline at West Bay.

The 3 kiddies at the top of West Bay cliffs.

Despite being late evening, still loads of people down on the beach below.

Joshua just taking in the amazing views.

Looking back over the harbour, I think our glamping tent is in the far distance.

Just look at the different shades of colour on the water below.

The sun starts to set casting a beautiful reflection on the sea.

My world - it's not the holiday we had planned. But we were having a great time in an amazing place.

Rare picture of me as I am always behind the camera.

More scenery from the top of West Bay cliffs.

Contemplating the walk back down which is probably more taxing than the climb up.

And down we go again. Holly no longer leading the way.

So steep in places they decided to come down on their bums for safety.

Dorset Day 1 - Monkey World

Covid-19 brought an end to our planned holiday to Bulgaria for 2020, so as a last minute substitute we booked a staycation in West Bay Dorset which was absolutely amazing. Also this holiday was the first glamping experience for all of us and my only regret was only booking 4 nights / 5 days as I really wish we had of stayed longer. That being said, we had phenomenal weather during the time we were there and it literally turned wetter and colder the day we returned, so maybe the 5 days was spot on.

As we couldn't check in to our glamping tent until 4pm we decided to not waste the first day and stopped off in Monkey World enroute. Joshua and Brandon had watched lots of Monkey World on the TV series and were really excited about visiting for the first time. However once we were there it was just so hot and having to wear a mask throughout the whole park was almost unbearable at times. So much so that the kids were starting to nag to leave just to get their mask off and get back in an air conditioned car for the final leg of the journey.

The glamping tent in West Bay easily exceeded our expectations and was amazing. Once we had checked in and unpacked we quickly headed down to the habour area to explore the beach, West Bay cliffs, get our first fish'n'chips and then the kids enjoyed a few rides in the fairground. After an exhausting day we spent the later part of the evening just sitting back in the ten with some drinks and all playing Uno and generally having a good laugh.

Upon arrival in Monkey World first port of call was some lunch which is about the only time you didn't need to wear a mask!

Loving the monkey table, but not as nice as the steak pasties.

The boys had watched a lot of Monkey World on TV and knew most of the main enclosures.

An odd looking Holly Monkey.

Watching you, watching me.

The Orangutans are probably the star attraction.

Tubes of hay on the outside of the cage to encourage close up views of them feeding.

That's a big old monkey.

So human like in their demeanor.

A little monkey going overhead in the tunnel.

Our 3 monkeys with a stature depicting Darwin's evolution.

Holly was the only one really willing to have lots of pictures taken.

I think this was one of the spider monkeys.

Exploring the woodland trail to seek out some shade (and sneak the mask off for a quick gasp of air)!

Again Holly posing for a picture.

This fascinating little primate had yellow arms and legs.

Now that's a hair cut from a Star Wars character (capuchin monkey which the boys renamed cappuccino).

The chimpanzee enclosure is amazing and they are such fun to watch.

This father and son monkey were having a real good play fight with each other.

Finally we arrived at our amazing glamping tent.

Supposed to be A05 but we were in A06.

Spectacular view across West Bay.

Inside the main living area.

The kitchen area.

Holly and Tina claimed the double bed so I was left with the sofa in the living area (until the last day when we realised there was a camp bed tucked underneath - doh!).

More of our glamping tent.

Josh and Brandon seeking out charging points.

More views from our glamping tent.

The boys claimed the second room with two single beds.

Beautiful West Bay harbour.

The habour is home to many good sized mullet fish just swimming around.

I forced Josh to take this picture with a boat called "salty nuts"!.

West Bay habour.

West Bay ciffs over looking the coast.

The sea at Westbay was stunningly clear.

Holly not quite grasping the concept of skimming stones.

Ker-splash.

More of the amazing West Bay cliffs.

The children's fish'n'chips in West Bay harbour was served in a bucket and spade which made Holly very happy.

Sitting on the dock of the bay.

Absolutely loved watching the 3 of them giggling away on the Waltzer.

Bumper car action with Holly riding shotgun with Josh.

Good job the rules say no head on collisions.

Brandon side swipes his brother and sister.

Fearless Holly was only going on the big / fast rides today!

Brandon riding on his own.

A beautiful sunset to end the day as we headed back to our glamping tent.

Glamping with the Jurassic View.