Simon’s Town Multi #1: Overview
Note: the coordinates given above are for a parking option - not the cache!
This is one of the two multi-caches which start at Jubilee Square in the centre of this historic town. They are hidden along the Simon's Town Historical Mile, St George’s Street, which runs from the rail station to the East Dock access gates. It has 21 buildings over 150 years old and includes 4 museums, the Church of St Francis (thought be the oldest Anglican Church in the country) and a Mosque built in 1926. A map and detailed information is available at the information office on St Georges Street just south of Jubilee Square. For a fascinating historical map of Simon’s Town visit www.awhaleofaheritageroute.co.za/simonstown.pdf.
This cache includes some of the less well-known historical features and also takes you through a part of the upper portion of the town which has some fine houses and great views over the Historical Mile, harbour and False Bay. The trail can easily be done in under an hour yet provides some moderate cardiovascular stimulation!
Simon’s Town History
The town officially called Simon’s Town, but often referred to as Simonstown, was originally named Simon’s Vlek after Simon van der Stel, the Dutch governor of the Cape Colony between 1677 and 1699, who surveyed the bay east of Cape Town in 1687 and earmarked it as a safe winter harbour during the months of May to September for which it was finally proclaimed in 1741. It subsequently became the headquarters of the South Africa Navy.
This week (4 November 2010) special celebrations have been held marking the 100th anniversary of the opening of the East Dockyard.
For a useful summary history see www.simonstown.com/articles/thingsabout.htm. This website also has lots of other interesting and useful information about Simon’s Town and the surrounding area. The book ‘Simon’s Town – Its History’ by the Simon’s Town Historical Society (2000) ISBN: 0620360119 Quagga Books, Cape Town gives a detailed and illustrated history of the town.
To find the cache:
Park in or near Jubilee Square @ S34 11.587 E18 25.994 (fee payable in the square but official car guards in attendance).
Step 1: At S34 11.598 E18 25.995 you will find a work of art (14/5/14 - not any more - it has gone). The alphanumeric value of the 3rd letter of the title of the piece = A. (***See gallery for the required info***).
Step 2: Cross over the road, head east a little and then up the narrow street with the mosque at the top (Alfred Lane), passing by an old building (community hall) with the words ‘Royal Alfred’ prominently shown above a doorway and continue to S34 11.6(A-5)(A-8) E18 26.0(A-8)(A-3) where you will see a plaque on the wall of an old house commemorating a religious scholar who spent his early years here. The month of the year in which he was born = B
Step 3: Continue along this road, passing some very fine residences along the way, and stopping briefly at S34 11.628 E18 25.980 to catch a glimpse of secluded town-house life down below. After a short distance @ S34 11.640 E18 25.966 head up the steep steps and pathway up to the top where @ S34 11.644 E18 25.878 you will be pleased to make use of the bench at this viewpoint at the highest part of the trail. Watch your feet here - seems to be a doggy stop! The number of furry creatures in the name of the house to your left as you admire this particular overview of Simon's Town = C
Step 4: When your heart rate & breathing have moderated sufficiently, head down a little to S34 11.6CC E18 25.8B(C+4) where you will find a plaque outside a house commemorating the completion of a major piece of work here in 196D by the same religious scholar as in Step 2.
Step 5: Now (after a further optional short detour to admire another nearby overview) make your way to S34 11.6C(D-1) E18 25.9C(D+3) where you will find a plaque on the wall of an old building with an interesting and colourful history which included ‘irregularities and disturbances’!? The year it was converted into a dwelling house = 19E5.
Step 6: Continue to S34 11.628 E18 25.962 where you will pass around a protected botanical specimen. The alphanumeric value of the 3rd letter of its Latin name = F
Step 7: Carry onwards and downwards to S34 11.5(F+2)E E18 26.0(D-1)F near a huge representative object. According to the information conveniently provided, the average weight of one of these = 4G tonnes (Note: in feedback obtained 17/12/11, it seems that this object has swam away/been removed, so until I can find a suitable substitute hint - use a value of G=0)
Step 8 (Final): Head off now to locate the magnetic camo-taped, screw-topped micro-tube which is hidden at:
S34 11.(B-D)(D+F)C E18 25.A(E-2)(G+2)
Notes: 1. Please time and adapt your movements to minimise possible observation by muggles who like to visit this place.
2. Kindly replace the cache carefully, securely . . . and precisely (ie. as described in the hint) in its hiding place
3. Please take extra care not to drop it as recovery may be a quite a challenge!! Thanks!