Piddocks & Aurochs Traditional Cache
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Size: 
(small)
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Very exposed cache. Look out for muggles and those with spy glasses, me arties !
‘PIDDOCKS & AUROCHS’ CACHE
Porlock Weir is a quaint little harbour with a unique charm that has to be experienced. It also boasts the remains of a prehistoric forest, small parts of which are occasionally visible still at a very low tide, At low tide can be seen tree trunks, a thin layer of peaty soil and a large amount of grey clay soil which is now inhabited by unusial sea shells known as PIDDOCKS. The remains of AUROCHS have been found. These are now on display in the Visitor Centre in Porlock. (The aurochs or urus is an extinct, very large type of cattle with large horns, originally prevalent in Europe.)
Porlock Weir and its tiny harbour, occupies the last sheltered low ground before the county boundary with Devon. Two miles from the harbour is the unique 4.2-mile Toll Road, which rises from the edge of Porlock up onto Exmoor. This scenic road is used as a special stage for rallying, giving Porlock its own place in motor sport history. Hosting an invitation Hill Climb every year, raising money for charity, the hill is as steep as 1 in 4 in some places so care must be taken when travelling up it.
The port has existed for over 1000 years. The Anglo-Saxon chronicle reports that in 1052 Harold Godwinsson came from Ireland with nine ships and plundered the area and even before that in 86 it was visited by Danes. In the 18th and 19th centuries coal from south Wales was the main cargo and in World War II pit props cut in local forests were exported the other way.
It is a good spot for walking with the South West Coast Path and other trails linking through to Porlock Ridge and Saltmarsh (good for birding) and Culbone - the ‘smallest’ complete parish church in England.
From the end of the last glacial period, about 10,000 years ago, the melting of ice caps has caused the sea level in the Bristol Channel to rise about 40 metres. It has been at roughly its present level for the last 2000 years but is still rising very slowly. One of the most striking features of Porlock Wier is its natural 6,000-year-old shingle ridge. Geologists believe it was formed by the rise in sea levels at the end of the last ice age
Between 7000 and 8000 years ago the area that is now Porlock Beach was more than five miles inland. It was a flat, low lying area and the climate was warm and wet. The area was thickly wooded and Mesolithic people lived by hunting and fishing. They probably hunted wild cattle, the bones of which have been found here. The stumps of trees were preserved in the marshy conditions in which they grew and have today been revealed as the sea has risen to erode them.
A quick & easy 'Cache & Dash' before a welcome jug of Exmoor Gold in the 'The Ship' or a nice ice cream / cuppa from the little shop.The Cache is in a plastic box and contains all the normal things.
Please replace box carefully and unseen by those who have not yet seen the 'geolight'. Watch your step when approching the cache, don't rush. Enjoy the Weir and get some great photos for 'posting'.(except for 'spoilers' of course}.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
N terng fcbg gb fvg qbja naq unir n fanpx vs lbh unir n 'ubyybj' srryvat 'vafvqr' naq jnag gb 'ybt' lbhe svaq.