I grew up in Felixstowe, just down Links Avenue from where this cache is situated. What this cache is about is something that has happened to me on many occasions. My parents have had it happened to them, although it hasn’t happened so much in recent years. And what is this event? You’re walking towards town, and a car will pull up by you. The window will wind down, and someone will call out and ask you:
“How do you get to Great Yarmouth?”
Since sat-navs have became more common place nowadays, this rarely happens. But go back about 15 years or so ago, when people relied on maps and reading road signs, it would happen quite a bit. You see, people would frequently travel to Great Yarmouth from places like London, and they would travel on the A12. Then they would get onto the A45 (which was later renamed the A14) at Copdock, and head over the Orwell Bridge. Then at the Martlesham turnoff (known locally as the Seven Hills roundabout), they would have to pick up the A12 once more to go to Great Yarmouth.
But the signs don’t mention Great Yarmouth, they only speak of Lowestoft. And so some people would continue to drive on the A45/A14, and then get to the dock roundabout. Where do you go? Well, might as well head straight on. Another roundabout after that, where to go now? Straight on? Why not. Can’t see anything for Great Yarmouth here… but there’s another roundabout. Hey, there’s a young lad crossing the road there; let’s ask him!
And so it is at this roundabout, which is generally the first place car drivers will see someone to ask, that they will stop and enquire about where to go. I did once get stopped at the other end of Colneis Avenue; at least I stopped them before they hit Felixstowe Ferry!
The location
If you're waiting for a muggle-free caching area here, why not sit down and take in the scenery? In the distance, you might be able to see the water tower, which has stood looking over Felixstowe for as long as I can remember. About 30 years or so ago, it contained enough water for a day or two’s water supply for the entire town. No rain? Instant drought! When the Orwell Bridge was built, it included a couple of large water pipes which brought in water from a reservoir to the area, solving the regular kettle crises. Just as well, as Felixstowe is now roughly twice the size as it was before!
A new view to this roundabout is the Medical and Pharmacy centre. This has only just been built, and was a bit of a surprise for me when I pulled up at my parents’ house for Christmas! There had been talk for many MANY years about putting a hospital or something like that there; guess they finally got around to doing it.
I now live in Coventry, but still regularly come back to visit my old haunts. And in case you’re wondering what happened to the A45 after they renamed it the A14, they left some of it in Coventry and Birmingham; part of it is a short distance from where I now live!
About the cache:
It is a small tube, camouflaged and held in place with magnets. Log book only, need pen and tweezers. Stealth will be needed, but you’ll be relieved to know that no houses look directly over the cache. It is still a busy junction, so be warned. Plenty of parking in the local streets, but do please be mindful of local residents. By far the best place to park though is at The Grove’s car park (see waypoint).