Sunset on the Welsh MEGA Event Event Cache
The Brat Pack: Although there are still three trackables registered with the Event it is still probably time to archive this Event Cache. Can those of you will the three trackables collect them and move them on.
Glad everybody seemed to enjoy this Event even though the cloud meant that there was not much of a sunset - and the wind was keen, so most geocachers did not want to hang about for too long before adjourning to the bar!
Sunset on the Welsh MEGA Event
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Friday, August 5, 2011
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The last Event in what is hoped will have been a very successful 2011 MEGA Event in Wales.
The MEGA Event Committee thought it appropriate that have an Event where you could see the sun setting in the West (weather permitting) as a fitting conclusion to the Welsh MEGA.
Overlooking Worm's Head, with views across Rhossili Beach, was deemed as a suitable location for this so we will meet up one last time under the Welsh MEGA umbrella (hopefully only metaphorically speaking) before closing out the Welsh MEGA.
The promontory was named 'Wurm' by Viking invaders meaning "dragon". Worm's Head, is shaped like a giant sea-serpent and marks the most westerly tip of Gower. The island is joined to the mainland by a rocky causeway and features an large flat-topped 'Inner Head', towards a natural rock bridge called 'Devil's Bridge', a 'Low Neck' leading further out to the 'Outer Head'. The headland is one mile long and the highest point is approximately 150 feet.
The rocky, jagged causeway leading out to the 'Worm' is only exposed for two and a half hours before and after low tide, so walkers should always carefully check the tide times before they set off over the causeway. Being trapped on Worm's Head for half the day, waiting for low tide again, is both inconvenient and desolate to say the least, but so easily done by the inexperienced. Even the young Dylan Thomas made the mistake of falling asleep on the Inner Head and missing his tide.
On this day low tide is around 16.30 hrs so if anybody wants to walk across to Worm's Head we would suggest they start their crossing at around 15.30hrs. This will allow time to get off Worm's Head again, find some local caches and still meet up in time for the Event.
The Outer Head on Worm's Head is a breeding ground for birds such as Herring Gulls, Guillemots, Razorbills, and Kittiwakes, with the occasional appearance of Puffins. Owned and protected as a National Nature Reserve by the National Trust and the Countryside Council for Wales, the varied plant life on Worm's Head is governed by the high winds, tidal spray and sun. The Outer Head is a very rare, ungrazed grassland, whereas the Inner Head, which has been grazed over the centuries, shows a large variation of plant colonies. Therefore, visitors are advised to keep to the well-worn dirt trail rather than trample on these species.
The best route for walkers who wish to visit Worm's Head is to follow is down the wide path past National Trust Information Centre and shop, through the gate and follow the track for 1 mile until the former coastguard lookout hut is reached (it is now the Countryside Council for Wales Informaion Centre). From here start the decent to cross the causeway. It takes about 15 minutes to scramble across the wet, jagged rocks of the causeway. When the Inner Head is reached follow the dirt track round the south side (bear left), then across Devil's Bridge, around the south side (bear left again) of Low Neck, and on to the Outer Head. Remember not to climb to the top of the Outer Head between 1 March and 31 August so the nesting birds there are not disturbed and if the journey outwards is proving too long and laborious do not venture too far out and take the same route back.
Sunset is around 21.00hrs so we would propose to "meet and greet" at 20.30hrs by the Countryside Council for Wales Information Centre, pass around the logbook for signing and then, weather permitting, watch the sun set in the Ocean.
You can then either head off or adjourn for a drink in the Worm's Head Hotel and say your final goodbyes to our fellow cachers!
It should be noted that a well known Australian wine company recently undertook a survey to find the best fifty views in the world to enjoy a glass of wine. The breathtaking view of Rhossili Beach on Gower Peninsula has made it into that list at number 11 so we would suggest that you stop for a drink - non-alcoholic if you are the designated driver!
There is a large Car Park at Rhossili opposite the Hotel (see Waypoint) but it does levy a small charge.
It should be noted that there are steep cliffs around here so young children and dogs should be well supervised particularly once the sun has gone down.
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