THE MOST REMOTE CACHE IN ESSEX "WHAT'S THE POINT" Traditional Cache
THE MOST REMOTE CACHE IN ESSEX "WHAT'S THE POINT"
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is for the very keen cacher who loves a healthy walk in the wilds.
What's the point ?
Well the point is anyone who attempts this cache has to love wild beautiful places, love walking, wildlife and appreciate peace and quiet.
This is for the special breed of cachers who detest muggle swarming areas and will take a bit of effort, but you will come back a far happier person than when you went.
The cache is hidden at the north eastern point of Wallasea Island at the confluence of the River Crouch and the River Roach. The Crouch is navigable up to Battlesbridge Mill and the Roach up to Stambridge Mill.
The Roach also hides the sunken hulk of the Beagle, Charles Darwin's private taxi for the gathering of knowledge with his big butterfly net.
When I placed this cache I had a Marsh Harrier for company and had a wonderful experience of seeing a grey seal flipping a large grey mullet continuously up in the air for 15 minutes. There is a grey seal colony on the Buxey Sands just outside the Crouch, so you may be able to catch sight of one or more of these rascals when the tide is high.
Let's see all the PROPER CACHERS get this bad boy so if your name is on the log you are indeed a discerning cacher.
You can walk from the Wallasea Island Pub / Cafe' with toilets and car park at N51 37.218 E000.47.810 which is then an out and back sea wall walk of just over 6 miles.
You can drive on to the Island and park at the nearest spot
N51 36.928 E000 49.376 which is then a wild yet easy there and back walk of a tad over 3.6 miles.
Another way to get to the cache is by ferry from Burnham on Crouch which will involve the longer walk but check ferry times first on 01702 258666. this runs from Easter to September.
The Island gate is locked at 16.30 to 08.00 October to March and 17.30 to 07.30 from April to September.
Please note this area will eventually be the new RSPB flagship reserve taking over from Minsmere, so enjoy the peace and tranquility while you can. There are plans to flood the fields and build islands with the barged in spoil of the London cross link rail excavations .
RECOMMENDATION : IF ON YOUR OWN TAKE A MOBILE PHONE AS THIS IS A REMOTE AREA.
Please be careful around the cache site in the Spring as there are many nesting Skylarks , sit down and listen their song is magical.
Many thanks to a certain person who set this cache up for me as he is not allowed anywhere near a bird sanctuary.
FTF The Land Rovers well done hope you think it was worth the effort.
This is a flat short grassed walk of 45 minutes EACH WAY at a steady pace.
If you have little cachers in your party it would be wise to entice them with smarties, not the blue one's, or you may perhaps have to promise them a Pony for Christmas.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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