GC1464B The Monk, the ditch and the avocet (Traditional Cache) in South Wales, United Kingdom created by The Blorenges

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GC1464B ▼

A cache by The Blorenges Message this owner

Hidden : 7/7/2007

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This is a straight forward but rather unusual micro cache located near the Goldcliff ponds - an excellent site for bird watching.

The Monk: Before Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries there was a large priory at Goldcliff. Nothing now remains except some earthworks and road names such as Chapel Lane.

The ditch: The monks continued the process of land reclamation started by the Romans on the Gwent levels by constructing drainage ditches (locally called reens). The largest, the Monk's Ditch is still in use today. The monks are also believed to have used this reen for washing their clothes!

The avocet: Goldcliff ponds is part of the Newport Wetlands Reserve and is renowned for the birds to be found there and further towards Newport at the Nash reserve. Amongst the birds found at Goldcliff are breeding avocets.

The car park is located at N51°32.502, W2°54.615 and is over a small 'humpback' concrete bridge. If you don't want to take your car over bridge then there is space on the grass verge before it. The footpath goes up alongside the edge of the reserve, the ponds being behind an embankment which has 3 viewing hides. The cache is located within sight of one of the hides so discretion is advised although this hide is only used by more serious birdwatchers and then usually early in the morning! The path is suitable for buggies and probably wheelchairs but is rather bumpy and there are some 'kissing' gates to negotiate.

This is a very small cache so please remember to bring our own pen or pencil! Due to its unusual location please don't put any photos of the cache itself in the gallery. Photograph the birds instead!

If you'd like to find out what birds have been seen then visit the Gwent Ornithological Society's website and read the 'Your Sightings' page. Common sightings include ringed plover, godwit, dunlin and spoonbills.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre gur cvrpr bs onex

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)