The Tamar Foreshore Tree Monster - The Shape of Things to Come
Treebeard, aka Fangorn, the eldest of the Ents, in all his magnificent and terrifying glory
(Not a Spoiler Image)
Caches 1 through to Cache 10 are located within the Tamar - Tavy Estuary SSSI. We are grateful to Natural England for their kind permission allowing Team Lankidden to place these Caches along this section of the River Tamar foreshore.
The Start of a Unique River Tamar Trail
The Landulph Foreshore
In between Covid Lockdowns we came here to Landulph Church, to add to our CM finds, and after a successful find, walked on down the footpath to the Tamar foreshore. Not only was the view exceptional, the Public Footpath finger post here was also unique in our experience, and it kicked off the interesting train of thought that this unique PF needed a Caching Trail. So here we are a year or so later, and this is the start of our "Only Walkable at Low Spring Tide" trail. As the reason for creating this trail is to "enjoy" an unusual Caching experience, none of the finds should be too difficult, mostly being traditional containers, although from here at the start, there are three or four somewhat unusual containers.
It could be said that this is our "Mount Everest" Trail. So why struggle to complete it? Why? Because it's here, and because we can!!
Rather like the River Fowey Wherigo Series, virtually all GeoCache series set along a river estuary are only accssible by kayak, small RIB, or dinghy. But as well as the tidal foreshore section of this series being accessible by boat on every tide, it is also the designated Public Footpath between Landulph and Cargreen, and so has the unique distinction of being accessible on the seven or eight days a month of Low Spring Tides, as a through route for walking, or yomping, muddy Cachers.
This rather elderly slipway, still accessible to boaters, also gives us walking Cachers access to the foreshore, but where is the access to the slipway. Perhaps back in the day it was the slipway for Landulph House, or Clifton Hall, we'll never know. Maybe the infamous Theodore Paleologus, who claimed to be the final descendant of the ancient Byzantine Emperors, and who is actually buried here in Landulph Churchyard, walked this path whilst living at Clifton Hall in Landulph in the early 1600s, - or maybe not. (See the novel "Days without Number" by Robert Goddard, which fictionalises the Paleologus story )
Being as the path along the foreshore floods to a certain extent on every tide, most of the Terrain, and some of the Difficulty will be fairly challenging. There are two pinch points of which to be aware. Neal Point, and to a slightly lesser degree Weir Point, WILL BE IMPASSABLE ON ALMOST EVERY TIDE. A through passage is usually only possible less than an hour either side of a LOW SPRING TIDE. Research into Low Water Spring Tide times is essential BEFORE attempting this Foreshore transit. This is a link to a PDF listing the dates of the low Spring Tides for the rest of 2023. www.lankidden.com/Low Water Spring Tide Times 2023.pdf The link is also included on the Cache 10 Page.
A Spoiler Image has been uploaded for each of the ten Foreshore Caches, as one decaying tree stump or steeply angled rock face looks much the same as any other, and if taking too long to search, there could then be a danger of running short of the time remaining to beat the incoming tide.
Bear in mind that this foreshore Public Footpath is something over a mile in length, and by it's very nature, this could be a hazardous trail. It could also take longer than allowed for in planning. The terrain varies from an easy fine gravel, to slippery broken slate, rocks, and seaweed, plus mud, quite possibly deep mud, all of which can be very greasy, and keen to upset, or bog down, the unwary. There are also an inordinate number of fallen trees to be climbed over, or scrambled beneath. Due care HAS to be taken on the foreshore, with adequate planning to allow time to walk all of the foreshore footpath and to find all ten of the foreshore Caches. It could well be impossible to reverse the trail back to the start point.
Finally, if intending to complete the Trail in one visit, although it can be walked in either a Landulph - Cargreen, or Cargreen - Landulph direction, it would be wise, allowing for the Low Water Spring Tide times, to commence the trail here at Landulph before tackling the foreshore path. Planning should allow time to clear Neal Point as soon as the falling tide allows.
There is limited off street parking at Landulph Church, arriving at the same time as Sunday worship, or a Wedding Party would probably be inadvisable.
So this is indeed where the story really starts, with an impressive view across the Tamar, which stretches from Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge, on past the Gunnislake Line Tavy Viaduct towards Weir Quay. It is unfortunate, that by definition, Cache finders will only see the Estuary in all it's muddy glory, so athough this Cache is readily accessible, that could create a false sense of security. From hereon in, the going gets tough, so gird up your loins. While quite innocently at first, the adventure starts right here. Wellies or walking boots really are neccesary for safety and dry feet.
If it is decided to search for the first Cache here at Landulph, then this really will be where the fun starts. Alternatively, if you have just crawled up to this hide, mud be-spattered, and cream crackered all the way from Cargreen, it could be where you say, thank goodness that's done and dusted, or muddied!!
Spoiler
A unique recycled container, courtesy Lougor6159. Please take care on recovery, and replace concealed as found.