South Island Cache Traditional Cache
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South Island in Strangford is accessible by foot at low tide. Finding the cache should take less than 2 hours.
Strangford Lough has been the site of settlement and food gathering for the past 9000 years, since the first settlers came to Ireland. The island is unpopulated, and the remains of a few deteriorated buildings are evident, along with 100M fish-trap between the island and Greyabbey (visible at low tide). These were primitive methods of catching fish in man made or natural pools, with walls to hold the fish as the tide receded, or to funnel the fish into large wicker baskets.
More information can be found in Archaeology Ireland 1997 Winter Edition.
Currently it is an Area of Special Scientific Interest due the relationship between the mudflats, sand flats and intertidal zones which support a wide variety of marine and mammal life, and are of great importance to wintering birds.
Cache size and hint updated on 22 March due to cache replacement.
“Within Strangford Lough ASSI Part 1 only, small areas of rocky intertidal habitat occur. However, off South Island, at or around the extreme limit of low water spring tides, is a habitat which is unique within Northern Ireland. This is an unusually stable intertidal habitat consisting of cobbles interspersed with occasional larger boulders lightly but firmly embedded in coarse sand and gravel. In this habitat there are exceptional growths of many sponge (Porifera) and sea-squirt (Tunicata) species, interspersed with various tube-dwelling worms (Annelida). The diversity of the associated herbivores and detritivores is considerable.”
Quote from website (visit link)
As with all cache sites care and consideration should be taken for the environment, and this site more than most. The centre of the island is fenced off and does not need to be entered. There is a track running around the circumference of the island but it can be hard going.
The island can be reached at low tide, and presumably a few hours either side. Please consult tide tables available here:
(visit link)
Click N Ireland. The two I used for reference were Strangford and the Quoile Barrier, these gave a workable approximation as they have a ½ Hr difference between them. If unsure please do not attempt this cache, and remember tide times change daily.
Parking is available in a small car park at the end of Islandview Road, on the Newtownards Road out of Greabbey.
N 54 32.077
W 5 33.970
Walk along the edge of the football pitch towards the coast and view your destination about 1Km away.
South Island can be reached in one of two ways:
1) Direct. The sand appears to be solid and supported my 100Kg frame to and from the island. I saw other people walking over it also, but cannot vouch it safe in all areas. To be safe see route 2:
2) Indirect and safest: From the foreshore at the end of the football pitch there is a track to the right which appears to run along just above the waterline round the bay to Mid Island. Mid Island is cut off from the mainland at high tide, so only walkable a few hours either side of low water (to be safe). On Mid Island continue along the edge of the island towards South Island which is accessible via a causeway or isthmus.
Points to remember:
You do this at your own risk.
The sources of information are given for reference only and may be flawed.
If going alone take a mobile, or arrange to call someone when you are safely back to your car again AND THEN MAKE SURE YOU DO.
Keep an eye on tides and weather. The island provides very little shelter.
Coastguard can be reached on 999.
Use your better judgement and stay safe to cache another day.
Ok, so you have not been put off, enjoy.
This cache marks the release of my TB South Island to South Island, which has the job of travelling over land as much as possible from South Island, Northern Ireland to South Island, New Zealand.
NOTES:
Cache is test tube sized as there was no suitable places to hide a replacement cache the original size.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ba fuberyvar snpvat Fpenob. Ybbx sbe gur ovt fgbar va gur tenff va yvar jvgu gur yrsg unaq fvqr jnyy bs ehvarq ohvyqvat. Vg vf oruvaq gur ovt fgbar uvqqra ol n fznyyre fgbar erfgvat ba gbc.
Treasures
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