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Fowey Lifeboat @ Polkerris Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Lindinis: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.

If you would like me to consider unarchiving it you will need to address any problems that has lead to the archiving first. If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the [b]cache name and number.[/b]

Ernie
Lindinis - Groundspeak Volunteer Reviewer

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Hidden : 8/18/2010
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A quick Traditional cache in the small village of Polkerris overlooking the old Fowey Lifeboat house

This is my first Cache and is located in one of my favourite local spots, Polkerris, from the Cornish 'Polkerys' meaning 'fortified pool'

The village was originally part of the large Rashleigh estate (Hence the pub name) and was a small fishing village until the 1950's when Tourism took over. Today many people sail, windsurf and kayak out of Polkerris and can become very busy during the summer.

The name of this cache is in recognition of Polkerris being the orignal home of the Fowey Lifeboat which was established here in 1859 after a tragic wreck in 1856 resulting in 3 men loosing thier lives just down the coast at Gribbin Head. Some local men lowered a boat down a cliff nearby and bravely rescued one survivor.

Following this dramatic rescue it was decided that a lifeboat was needed in the area and a suitable site was searched for. After large donations of land, stone and money from local landowner William Rashleigh, a lifeboat station was established at Polkerris. Fowey was deemed unsuitable at the time, due to the difficulty in getting out of the harbour in onshore gales, in a pulling and sailing lifeboat. The first lifeboat was named Catherine Rashleigh in honour of William Rashleighs wife.

In 1919 the RNLI proposed a self-righting motor lifeboat the area however it would need to be moored as there were no carriage-borne motor lifeboats developed at that time. It was decided that Fowey harbour would be the best place for the motorised lifeboat as the harbour would provide sheltered moorings.

The lifeboat station at Polkerris closed in 1922 and the existing lifeboat ‘James, William and Caroline Courtney’ was sold and the boathouse was converted into the lifeboat cafe and now a fish restaurant where some of the orignal boards recording lifeboat shouts can still be seen on the wall inside.

The cache is located at a great viewpoint over the harbour and the old lifeboat house. The container is a 400ml tupperware container in a small camoflauge bag. It contains the usual, pen, pencil, log book and a few swap items The cache also contains a £1 coin and a small bottle of champagne(bubbles!!!) for the FTF.

I would recommend parking at the main car park I have given the coordinates for as there is only the car park for the pub at the bottom and no roadside parking.

BEWARE: THE CACHE IS ON THE NORTH (LANDWARD) SIDE OF THE PATH, THERE ARE STEEP CLIFFS BEYOND THE HEDGE ON THE SEAWARD SIDE

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Uvqqra oruvaq gur onfr bs n unjgubea gerr. Nqwnprag gb gur byq xvffvat tngr.

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)