Reens Rock Traditional Cache
notmuchofalooker: Sold house and moved out of the area, so have to archive this cache. Thanks to all who have visited.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This cache is situated in 'The Reens', woods which stretch from Treslothan to Troon along a narrow valley.
In the vicinity of the cache are two features of local historical interest.
Reens Rock
Reens Rock is a striking outcrop of granite boulders formed by the erosion of the softer metamorphosed rock . 'Reens' may be a corruption of Cornish 'ryn' - slope. Reens Rock is also known as Carrek Veryasek (Meriasek's rock) under, or in, which it is said that St Meriasek sheltered.
The legends of St Meriasek are documented in Buenans Meriasek (the Life of St Meriasek) a miracle play in Middle Cornish written in 1504. Meriasek rejected an arranged marriage with the Breton King's daughter (instead wanting to be a priest) and sailed from Brittany to Cornwall. In Cornwall Meriasek is taken to the chapel of St. Mary of Camborne, needing water he prays, and a well springs up. Meriasek heals several people and when King Teudar of Cornwall (a pagan) hears of these miracles they debate religion intending to convert each other but both fail. Meriasek goes on his way but Teudar sends his torturers to kill him. Meriasek, having been warned in a vision, hides in a cleft of this rock and Teudar's men are unable to find him. Meriasek later returns to Brittany eventually becoming the Bishop of Vannes.
St Ia Chapel
On the opposite side of the stream to Reens Rock are the remains of a 10th Century well-chapel dedicated to St Ia. Ia (Born c.480 AD) is said to have set up a chapel here near a well, known as Fenton Ia. The Cache is not located at the chapel, please respect it.
The chapel was rediscovered in 1962 and excavated in 1966 by a team headed by Professor Charles Thomas - see his book 'Christian Antiquities of Camborne'. Thomas states “The interior was filled to a depth of 3 or 4 ft with compact debris”. English Heritage state “what had appeared to be merely foundations were actually walls at a fairly high level, and the E end was 5 ft high. Three phases of development were encountered: Phase 1 was a well chapel of c 950 AD. Phase 2 construction with the chapel as a place of worship, was 12th c perhaps 1125-1150. Phase 3, AD 1200-1250, was an enlarged place of worship and there is some evidence for a cell on the opposite bank of the stream. The later history of the site is not known but the volume of soil and stones covering it suggest that its use as a chapel did not survive the Reformation.” English Heritage also state that “The excavated remains of the chapel, cell and the lan are generally well preserved although there is some deterioration due to encroachment by cattle.” but when I visited the site was very obstructed with fallen trees and a significant amount of vegetation.
This chapel was the original home of the tenth century Leuiut altar slab inscribed “Leuiut iusit hec altare pro anima sua” (meaning “Leuiut ordered this altar for the sake of his soul”). This slab can now be seen in the Camborne Parish Church. Also stood by this Chapel was a tall celtic Medieval wayside cross probably dating from the founding of the chapel in the later 10th century. The cross was drawn by Borlase in 1750 with him saying “A few paces distant [from the well] stood a Cross, about 3 yds from which was a chapel, the walls of which are still partly standing”. In 1896 the cross was discovered serving as a well head at Crane, the head having been trimmed or broken. It can now be found in Camborne Parish Church grounds near the main Church door.
The stream is fed from the leat running along Pendarves Street and feeds into a tributary of the Red River.
Access
I access this area via the footpath which starts at Treslothan (see additional waypoint) although other accesses are available, there is some parking nearby. If approaching the cache via this footpath then you will find the access to the worn path through the woods on your right hand sidea bout half way between the stile and the stream at the part of the embankment that is clear of vegetation (see photo) clamber up that bit and you will be on the right track. The terrain is fine, but has the potential to be boggy, and there are currently several fallen trees across the path, however, nothing that my 2 year old can't handle.
I have tried to get the co-ordinates as close as I can, but tree cover makes it a bit tricky – you will know when you are in the right area though.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Hint 1] Lbh zvtug arrq gb trg qbja ba lbhe unaqf naq xarrf... [Hint 2] ...naq cbxr lbhe urnq va.
Treasures
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