This multicache will take you on a very short stroll around the viewpoint above Brenton Beach to marvel at the new mosaic installations and answer questions that will lead you to the final coordinates of the cache hiding place. The entire multi will not take you more than 20 minutes to complete within a radius of 300 meters.
Please do not post spoiler photos to your final cache log that will clearly show the mosaics our questions are referring to!
BYOP.
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Welcome to Brenton-on-Sea!
This little seaside town has seen a creative transformation during 2021 when under the wings of the Knysna Art Project (a cooperation of the Knysna Art Society, Visit Knysna tourism marketing and the Knysna Municipality) local artists and community members came together in this interactive art initiative to create installations and art work along the Knysna Art Route in public spaces around Knysna, Sedgefield, Buffalo Bay, Brenton and Belvidere.
Walking towards the beach you will first come across the magestic new Wall of Wings, a contemporary, stylised interpretation of the Brenton Blue butterfly made from laser-cut steel mounted on a mosaic wall, first revealed in August 2021.
The Brenton Blue butterfly is close to the hearts of residents. More so since the Brenton Blue Butterfly Reserve was obliterated in the Great Knysna Fire in June 2017. This small area was the only home of the Brenton Blue and for a long time after the fires there were fears that the species had become extinct. The discovery of dormant larvae deep in the soil however led to an ongoing project to rehabilitate the reserve and re-establish the Brenton Blue Butterfly in its natural habitat initiated by the Brenton Blue Trust. Funding is always a barrier to progress and it is hoped that the Wall of Wings will ignite interest in the conservation of the Brenton Blue and inspire support and donations for the Trust and ongoing efforts to prevent the butterfly’s extinction.
The Wall of Wings is the perfect selfie photo opportunity on this beautiful viewpoint.
From here walk towards the beach and you will come to the stunning mosaic steps created by the Brenton Mosaic Group and finished in May 2021 after 175 hours of work by over 20 local artists and community members (names on the wall of the top of the stairs) in just 6 weeks!
It is a marvellous piece of art.
Look closely at all the little critters and creatures depicted here and answer the following questions, which will lead you to the coordinates of the final hiding place of the cache container!
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The container is hidden at:
S 34 0(A+1).4(B:2)(C+1)
E 23 01.(D:2)(E-1)(F)
Amongst the beautiful mosaics on the bottom of the mosaic steps, find the pink-faced, white-tailed Mola Mola / sunfish that looks like it is fleeing from a dolphin.
How many square tiles were used on the middle of its flank? Add up the values of the digits = A
Now find the black-headed squid floating around. How many tiles make up its black iris (i.e. excluding the pupil)? = B
When you find the impressive lobster, count the yellow tiles on its claws. Add the values of the digits = C
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Now keep walking down the walkway towards the beach and stop at the next waypoint, the information board giving you insights on the Brenton Blue butterfly as well as locally spotted beach breeding birds. Answer the following questions:
What is the maximum size in mm of a female Brenton Blue butterfly? Add the values of the digits and this will be your D
Amongst the occasionally spotted birds at Brenton beach is the 2022 Bird of the Year (SA)! The Cape Gannet, since 2017 sadly on the Endangered species list due to dwindling numbers and breeding sites, is particularly agile in the air.
What is its maximum diving speed? The first two digits will be your E
You may now want to take a stroll or swim on this beautiful beach popular with locals, visitors and doggies alike. Be careful not to swim in the rocks or anywhere close to Castle Rock as the currents are treacherous and dangerous rip-currents do happen. Ask a local first and if life-guards are on duty swim only between their flags!
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Afterwards, to determine the last digit of your final coordinates, walk back up to the parking lot, keep to the right again across the little gravel parking area towards the ocean and waypoint 4, the Cliff Top Picnic Area. Here the mosaic team has created another beautiful spot with many benches and picnic tables full of mosaic artwork to be marvelled at - it was the first stage of their mosaicing work actually before tackling the area you just came from. The view out to sea from here is stunning.
If you look to the East from the front benches you will see the head of Nofretete crafted (by nature for a change) from sandstone looking out to sea!
How many flip flops (not pairs!) did the 'Brenton Angels' leave in the sand (all on a single bench; check carefully as there is not only one bench with flip flops)? This is your last coordinate F.
Now you have all your coordinates and can go and retrieve the container close by. It is placed in an area that sees less muggles so you should be able to retrieve it easily. There is a possibility of another lovely view and walk here which you will find easily.
Please make sure to put the container back firmly in place.
Thank you for visiting this station of the Knysna Art Route!