Eairy Beary Traditional Cache
Alba15: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
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Alba15
Volunteer UK Reviewer - geocaching.com
UK Geocaching Information & Resources site http://www.follow-the-arrow.co.uk/resources/
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(regular)
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Dedicated to Anglegrinder.
There is more than one approach route to this traditional cache which is located at the co-ordinates above. Two ways are described below; the first being a circular walk of about 4.3 kilometres taking between 1½ and 2 hours involving a moderately steep ascent and descent.
A second and more direct approach involves driving and parking closer to the cache, then a short ascent on good forest tracks; the round trip should take less than 40 minutes.
Route 1.
Based on a circular walk developed by the Island’s Forestry Warden. This one starts and finishes at Glen Helen car park and a detailed route map and description is available at www.gov.im/lib/docs/daff/ww1eairybegcircular.pdf. Use this route plan if you have a couple of hours to spare and enjoy exploring.
There are several points of interest along the way with the geocache located near the highest point of the trail which offers (on a clear day) magnificent panoramic views of the Island and beyond. On route you might see:
Eairy Beg farmhouse tucked away in woodland; now in a rather derelict state (and certainly not safe to enter). The building appears on the Island’s 1870’s maps and predates the plantation by at least one hundred years. The farm once operated a gorse mill powered by a horse wheel (since removed); the mill crushed the gorse which was used as winter feed for livestock . Last occupied in the 1960’s, the farm is associated with a network of well constructed field boundary walls which criss-cross under the trees on the side of Beary Mountain.
A rather anomalous Public Right of Way leads to the edge of Eairy Beg plantation but is a dead end; a lonely finger post marking it’s start/end next to the Blaber stream. Closer examination of local maps reveals that the way marking of this footpath, on the ground, does not reflect the true course of the Right of Way.
The ‘Twelve Shares’ is 100 plus acres of heath land and, as the name suggests, is in multiple ownership. Various stories attempt to explain the origins of this ‘common land’. Some say that many years ago the land was once owned by a family who farmed at the nearby Dreem Beary farm. The widow and her children fell on hard times following the death of the husband. Neighbouring landowners seeing the family’s plight grouped together to buy the land, providing them with an income in return for a share of the land for grazing.
Today the issue of land ownership is complex. When last investigated, during the planning stage for laying the Island’s gas pipe link, there were some 20 claims of part ownership in the 12 shares! Now the land is used occasionally for sheep grazing, but more frequently for quad biking, a business operated by one of the share holders based at the Ballacraine.
Route 2
For an alternative and shorter route to the cache, head towards St. Johns on the main Douglas to Peel Road (A1). Turn right at Greeba Bridge (on the bend before the Hawthorn Pub) and drive up a sealed road signed ‘Mill Road’. Take care on this ‘single-track’ byeway as there may be farm traffic and sheep along the way; there are few passing places.
Suggested parking is at the following co-ordinates:
54’ 12.788’ N 4’ 36.125 W just on the right through a field gate, which should be left as you found it. Head uphill on foot for several hundred metres along a rough track until you reach a gated access (usually open) to Beary Park Plantation. Turn left and head up this track (private vehicular access) until you reach a cairn on your right. At this point the cache is close-by.
Whichever route is chosen, care should be taken during the final approach to the cache which involves walking through long heather on sloping ground with hidden rocks. The cache is a medium size ammo box, which when placed contained: keyrings, various kiddies trinkets, Disneyland pen radio, assorted badges and Salmo Travel Bug
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Nobhg 30 cnprf qhr rnfg bs gur pnvea haqre n ebpxl yrqtr.