"Gordon Wellington made a significant contribution to the enjoyment
of Britain's longest national trail when he built 37 steps to
replace those buried beneath a landfall at Seaton Hole in East
Devon. The fall meant that local people and visitors were denied
access to the sheltered cove of Seaton Hole. It also meant that
walkers on the South West Coast Path were unable to enjoy the
splendid beach between Seaton Hole and the western end of Seaton
promenade.
The East Devon District Council had voted against a £300,000
scheme which would include the reinstatement of access and making
the cliffs safe and a "no action" policy was announced.
In June 2001 Gordon Wellington, a retired builder of 82, who
lives in Seaton Hole, was concerned to see people scrambling down
over unstable debris, and feared there would be an accident. He
decided something must be done immediately and with the help of
volunteers, a way was cleared through bushes and undergrowth. Then,
employing his building experience, "and with the expenditure of a
couple of hundred pounds", he constructed a flight of 37
steps."
This is your chance to appreciate their efforts
and try out George's steps and more. There is obvious roadside
parking close by, although this area will get busy in the
season.
The coordinates above are for a cunningly
concealed film tube micro in which you will find the coordinates of
a telephone number.
If the phone number is ABCDE FGHIJK , the final
cache is to be found at
N 50:41:(H+K)(C+A)(B+G),W003:05:(J-F)(F-D)(G-K).
As with many places along this part of the
Coast, great care is needed with children and dogs,particularly
those that are apt to chase sea gulls (dogs or children!) as there
are steep unguarded drops.
AT NO PART OF THIS CACHE ARE YOU EXPECTED TO CLIMB
ROCKS,CROSS BARRIERS OR STEP SEAWARD OF THE PATH.
After completing the cache, you might like to pop in and see Jan at
the Cliffside Cabin which is open throughout the season and at
other times when the weather is fit. Personally recommended for
hot/cold drinks, light snacks and especially her homemade cakes,
this also offers a suitable place to leave spouses/kids/etc while
you show how clever you are doing the cache solo. She may also be
persuaded to tell you about the cache, but of course this is a
service for customers only !!