Ben Derg Traditional Cache
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I could have posted a picture for this but believe me, if you like scenery and good beaches, approach this from the Killard end, and when you come close to the cache which is at the top of a ridge, the walk should have been worthwhile.
A beautiful bay mostly unseen from the road and is probably one of those “you wouldn’t know it was there unless you have seen it” places.
I have been going round here since the I was no size (certainly not the case at the moment), and I am still in love with it. Since I was a bit older I cannot recollect a time when I have not enjoyed a walk along this secluded beach.
It can be approached from Ballyhornan and following the coast N and NE, or my personal favourite is to start from Killard Nature Reserve, car park (the lay-by on the coast road from Strangford to Ardglass, just past Cloughy Rocks and Kilclief).
There are a few notice boards detailing the flora and fauna of note in the area, though there is much more than is on the boards. Of note ate the pyramid orchids and primroses, and the occasional bird of prey.
You can follow the coast round the first point where in long gone days there was a local coastguard boathouse. 30 years ago there would have been the remains of the side and back walls. Sadly the soft clay cliffs have eroded and this has been lost completely. There is also a path through a farmer’s field, with kissing gates at each end. If going through the field please stick to the path.
The headland used to be awash with rabbits. After myxomatosis decimated their numbers, the area is like a ghost town of empty rabbit burrows.
It can be a good spot for mushrooms in September if you are interested. They may be helped by the cattle which graze the area from time to time.
The site the cache is hidden on used to be an old radar station from the cold war and possibly before. It was decommissioned in the 1980’s, and little except 4 or 5 little huts remain to mark its location.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Tebhc bs juvaf ba evqtr, fznyy rnfgzbfg.
Treasures
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