This multi cache will take you all round the historic Whitehaven Harbour.
Some dates, with cache stages in brackets, are
Old Quay, 1634. (WH10)
Bulwark Quay 1710 (WH3)
Old Tongue (Sugar Tongue) 1733 (WH5)
Old New Quay 1739 (WH8)
New Tongue (Lime Tongue) 1754 (WH4)
North Wall and North Quay 1785 (WH11)
New West Pier 1824 (WH9)
New North Pier 1833 (WH12)
Millennium Promenade, developed 2000 (WH1,2&6)
The total distance is about 2.5 miles, around 4km. It can certainly be done by bicycle, although you would miss out on a lot of interesting places that you would notice whilst walking. It is ideal for children, but bear in mind there are long drops into cold water if you act stupidly near the edge. Parking is plentiful in town, mainly Pay and Display. The train station and bus stops are very close to WH1.
There are sea lock gates between WH10 and WH11. Access is allowed across them when they are not in use. Should you be fortunate, or unfortunate, depending on your view, to arrive when a boat is passing through, just relax and wait.
There is a fish landing area along the North Wall, to the west of WH1. If the gates are locked an alternative route is signposted round the rear of the boatyard. I am yet to see the gates locked even when they are unloading fish, but again, you may just be unlucky.
So here 's what to do. Visit all the waypoints, garner the information required and insert it into these coordinates.
N54 3R.STU W003 3W.XYZ
Where: R = J
S = C- I
T = A + L
U = G
W = H + D
X= F
Y = B
Z = K - E
WH1 Counting Fish N 54° 33.091 W 003°35.276 :
I was going to ask you to count the fish in the spiral, but maybe not ....Anyone who does count them is free to post their answer with their log. ‘Lots’ is not an answer.
How many blocks of sandstone is the spiral set on = A
As you walk towards WH2 you will notice silver fish set into the ground, feel free to count them as well.
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WH2 Get Knotted N 54° 33.043 W 003° 35.304 :
How many sculptured knots are there along this section = B
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WH3 Never mind the Bulwarks. N 54° 33.003 W 003° 35.362 : The entrance to Bulwark Quay. This is the only quay the public do not have access to.
How many cannons protect it = C
Edit - 20th August 2018. The cannons have been removed for some reason. Fortunately there is a sign at the location detailing the history of the cannons, and saying how many there should be. April 17th 2019 - the cannons are back!
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WH4 Setting a course N 54° 33.006 W 003° 35.562 :
The middle digit of the bearing to Reykjavik = D
There is also a traditional cache in the Crows Nest; and a multi cache set on The Lime Tongue
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WH5 I see no ships N 54° 32.980 W 003° 35.617 :
Plenty of ships etc, but how many doves = E.
Ok so it/they may be a pigeon; can you spot the mouse as well?
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WH6 Ducks Deluxe N 54° 32.913 W 003° 35.516 :
A number between two letters = F.
This is the start (or finish) of the Coast to Coast cycleway, 136 miles to Sunderland or Tynemouth. Bonus points for anyone getting why this stage is called Ducks Deluxe!
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WH7 A load of balls N 54° 32.956 W 003° 35.723
If these piles of cannonballs were complete, i.e. none missing on any level, how many balls are there in one of the piles = G, where G is first digit of the answer.
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WH8 Rocket Rescue N 54° 33.048 W 003° 35.842
There are three plaques in the immediate vicinity. Besides the initial digit '1' in their dates, what other digit appears in all three dates = H
Coastguard Lookout Station, Rocket Brigade House built, Flag Tower.
Now where's my flag .......
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WH9 Here comes Moacky N 54° 33.168 W 003° 35.903
How many bollards are there here, regardless of material = I.
I am only talking about the lower level. Whilst here it is worth climbing the steps to get the views from the top of the walls.
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WH10 The wind began to howl .... N 54° 33.036 W 003° 35.610
Translate the Roman Numerals into a date, the third digit = J
For those that can’t quite remember:
I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000
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WH11 Sea Lock N 54° 33.070 W 003° 35.547
The Sea Lock was officially opened by John Prescott MP on which date in October 1998 = K
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WH12 Sittin' on the dock of the .... N 54° 33.171 W 003° 35.738
Final digit of the date = L