Rattray's Weir Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Fish Eagle: The cache appears to be gone, and it seems unlikely that it will be replaced soon, so I'm archiving it.

If the cache is replaced, then please contact me to re-enable this listing.

Regards,
Andy
Geocaching.com Cache Reviewer for Africa

IMPORTANT
To respond, please email andy.mac@yebo.co.za
Please DO NOT click "reply", because I will not receive it.

More
Hidden : 11/3/2008
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:


Rattrays Weir

In decades past the Braamfontein Spruit was dammed in Craighall, forming what was known as Rattray's Dam. William Rattray bought the farm Klipfontein in 1891 and renamed it Craighall, nowadays the suburbs of Craighall, Craighall Park and Blairgowrie.

Rattray's - a large lake held back by a 50m wide stone wall, until the dam become silted up in the 1930s - was the premier leisure resort for Joburgers. Today the beautiful stone wall still stands, and water cascades over a small central section. The dam is now filled with reeds and a row of weeping willows, with the water meandering around the island that has formed. The wall is visible from the bridge in Conrad Drive.

Rattray built another weir, about a kilometre further down the river, still intact, with water tumbling over the wall into a series of natural waterfalls. He apparently also built a third weir, which could be one of a series of walls a kilometre below the waterfalls.

Although no one fishes in the Braamfontein Spruit, according to long-time Joburg environmental writer, James Clarke, trout were seen at Lonehill as late as 1978, probably having swam upstream from the Magaliesberg, some 80km north west of the city.

Carp, yellow fish and koi (washed in from domestic fishponds) have been spotted in the river, according to Paulette Malcolm, chairperson of the eco-mmunity for Ward 90. She is keen to establish fly fishing at the river, and with the introduction of lavendar and buddlea along the banks, butterflies may return. She says that frogs and dragonflies are back, mainly the result of a cleaner river.

The Braamfontein and Sandspruit merge at Leeuwkop Prison, at a rocky spot marked by a large gum tree. The resultant river, of several metres across, is called the Jukskei and meets the Ellis Park Jukskei a kilometre or two beyond. Then it gains volume and width as it flows in the direction of Hartebeespoort Dam, north west of Johannesburg.

Original contents:
FTF- Voucher

Log & pencil

Eowyn figurine
Red rooster
Frog
Fish
Highlighter
Rhino head
Various trackables.

FTF - goes to: Jokers Guild.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Va gur urneg bs gur fghzc.

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)


Advertising with Us