The multi will take you around this focal point of the Noordhoek area. Although the cache is hidden in a relatively quiet location, please take care to look out for muggles as you carry out your activities and ensure the cache is correctly replaced properly concealed in its hidey hole - thanks!
The cache is placed in recognition of the original cache at the village, MnCo's GC20GHQ Noordhoek Farm Village which was placed on 5/5/10 and archived on 12/6/13 after some 38 finds.
To find the cache: park at any of the parking areas at the NFV - if the front is full, there is additional space at the rear.
Step 1: head for the published coordinates @ S 34 5.803 E 18 22.647 where you will be able to see a circular window in the side of the building with a circular metal wheel-like fixture which has AB spokes.
Steps 2 and 3: proceed to S 34 5.817 E 18 22.660 where you will be standing in front of a fine mural on the end wall of the building. Looking carefully at this you will spot C bicycles and D horses.
Step 4: moving around to the front of the building @ S 34 5.824 E 18 22.660 , look up towards the corner where there is a decorative plaque describing what the building used to be and depicting an animal which was critical to its operation. The number of letters in this creature’s name = E
Step 5: continue a short distance east to S 34 5.829 E 18 22.672 where you will see a similar plaque up on the wall of the next buidling, describing what this used to be and depicting another animal. The alphanumeric value (A=1 B=2 C=3 etc) of the first letter of its name = F
Step 5: head into the gap between the buildings to S 34 5.827 E 18 22.673 where you will see a water pressure gauge attached to the end of a pipe with a maximum reading of 1,G00 kPa on its circular scale.
Step 6: now walk over to S 34 5.846 E 18 22.696 where you will be at the corner of the fine old hotel which has H square white pillars supporting its verandah.
Step 7: finally proceed to S 34 5.803 E 18 22.714 the location of a small walled graveyard with graves of the Wiley family, one of whom - baby Norah, was sadly only J0 months old when she passed away.
The cache, a small camo-taped tablet pot, is hidden at:
S 34 5.(E+F)(G-J)B E 18 22.(G+D)(F+J)(A+C)
Check your answer here - and get a useful hint!
A Brief Early History of Noordhoek
Archeological remains in middens and skeletons have revealed that the valley has been inhabited for well over a thousand years. The original inhabitants were Khoi nomads and Strandlopers who lived on what the sea provided.
Noordhoek, meaning the Northern Corner, was first named in 1743 when it described the north corner of the farm Slangkop which was occupied by Christina Diemer (see below).
The Noordhoek Valley is bounded in the north by Chapman’s Peak, Noordhoek Ridge and the sweep of mountains which make up the Steenberg Plateau towards Muizenberg, all of which form a magnificent natural amphitheatre. For many years Noordhoek was a fairly remote and inaccessible corner of the southern peninsula. Until the Ou Kaapse Weg was completed in 1960s, the only access for nearly 300 years was via the main road that follows the railway line along the False Bay shore from Muizenberg via St James, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek to Simon’s Town.
It was not until 1923, that the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive which links Hout Bay to Noordhoek was opened. There never was an original Ou Kaapse Weg. The name of the modern road is based purely on romance. The only way over the mountains was little more than a track from Kalk Bay to Hout Bay. Consequently, Noordhoek was for many years cut off from the main urban development of the southern peninsula. Since the Ou Kaapse Weg was completed, however, the valley has not been spared the ravages of urban blight which are in danger of destroying the very qualities that made Noordhoek attractive to start with: its rural landscape and natural beauty, which are now less than an hour from Cape Town.
Noordhoek Farm was proclaimed in 1743 by Governor-General Van Imhoff who granted the land to Christina Diemer who married Frederik Russouw and inherited the farm Zwaanswyk when he died. She also owned Imhoff’s Gift and extensive land in Simon’s Town.
The second owner was Izak de Villiers who took possession of the land roughly 190 years ago. In 1793 Jakob Malan built a house not far from the present gateway to the Noordhoek Manor House.
In 1821 much of present day Noordhoek was sold to Jacobus Hurter for less than £1,000. Other settlers of that period were Alexander and Joseph Hare, Robert Scott, William Fairlie and Isaac de Villiers. It is interesting to note that during the 19th century Chapman’s Peak was known locally as “Oom Izaksekop”. In 1857 the area was divided into six portions, most of these were bought by the de Villiers family which has been associated with the Valley for many years.
During the era of sailing ships, the farmers of Noordhoek the farmers grew vegetables to supply ships calling at Simon's Town. An article in the Wynberg Times of May 1902 describes the village. The correspondent took the train to Fish Hoek and then walked along the road (in atrocious condition) to Noordhoek, about 6.5 km away. He arrived at the Post Office/Shop/Farmhouse. He climbed up the mountainside and looked down upon 'nice farm-houses scattered all over, surrounded by cultivated gardens growing nearly every kind of vegetable'. There were fine oak trees and a mountain stream watered the gardens and land. To the south and west was a wonderful view of the Atlantic Ocean bordered by the white sands of the glorious 7 kilometre stretch of beach. The wreck of the famous steamer Kakapo lay prominently high and dry on the beach. The article ended 'I have never seen in all my travels a prettier place than Noordhoek, or one more worth a trip to spend a good long day'.