History/Background
This traditional cache is somewhat unique in that it is situated within 10 metres of the same location as Ulster's first ever geocache - GC305A - Belfast No.1 - Belvoir Forest (http://coord.info/GC305A) which was hidden on 05/01/2002 by Flarkey. First To Find on 13/01/2002 at 12:47hrs was madfaxman (I don't think a FTF would sit that long now days). It was subsequently adopted by TonyB on 04/02/2007 and archived on 04/01/2008. During it's lifetime, it had 95 recorded finds and 11 recorded did not finds.
Its now been reincarnated 10 metres from the original GZ to give cachers the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to this historic geocaching site, Ulster's first. Well, perhaps I'm exaggerating but when we found Europe's First (http://coord.info/GC43) while on holiday in Dublin on 06/02/2013, that's exactly what it felt like while walking out to same. Some of the more seasoned cachers out there may experience a touch déjà-vu while doing this one, that's probably because you'll have been here before.
Personally, I think it's an important landmark for Geocaching in the province and thus it's only fit that it should be recognised.
To maintain authenticity, the difficulty / terrain rating are the same as the original listing. Unfortunately an outbreak of Larch Disease and subsequent tree clearance in the forest has destroyed the original hiding spot, hence why this cache has been hidden a short distance from same.
Location
The cache is located within Belvoir Park Forest which is a working forest within a city. It is a vibrant forest with a variety of wildlife and a range of tree specimens within easy reach of Belfast's outer ring road.
The forest opened in 1961 and covers 75 hectares along the south bank of the River Lagan.
There are a number of historic sites within the forest, including the Norman motte, which dates back to the 12th century.
The estate itself was enclosed by the Hills, a plantation family, around the 1740s. They built a house where the car park is now and the existing buildings, which date from the same era, were farm buildings belonging to the estate.
The Ice House, built into the side of the motte also dates from this time.
There are several way marked trails, starting and finishing at the forest car park. A walking map of the forest can be found at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/belvoir-park-forest-map-2.pdf
The Cache
You are looking for a small sized tab-lock box containing a logbook, pen and plenty of child friendly swaps. Please swap up or even. It's suitable for travelbugs and geocoins too.
Parking
Free parking is available in the carpark as per the listed waypoint at N 54° 33.079 W 005° 56.000.
