To log this cache, please EMAIL/ Message Centre the answers (do NOT post in your log). I'm a Friendly CO - please try and answer the questions, and have a bit of fun whilst doing it. That said, no answers = no log (and I will delete it)
1. Take a picture of a fossil(s) and include in your log (optional, but serves as proof of visit!)
2. Find a fossil and try to identify it - i'll accept common names, Latin names, anything you like, as long as you make a genuine attempt to name it
3. What size or length is the fossil? (there are a multitude of sizes here, against varying creatures)
4. Polished rock often cuts through fossils. Describe the shape of the fossil you're identifying, plus any colours or patterns present.
5. What type of stone do you think this is? (Hint, the Great and Little Orme are made of the same stuff!)
You can post your found log before emailing, but please send it soon after that. Answers not sent within 2 weeks will unfortunately force me to delete the logs.
West Shore is the quiet side of Llandudno. Away from the noise and the pier lies a glorious beach, with sands that reveal themself once the tide has gone far, far out. Passing through here is a pathway, for both cyclists and walkers alike, joining West Shore to Deganwy. The going can be a little tough on the soft sand, even though it's a designed cycleway, the sand, wind and tide care not. Unfortunately, wheelchairs will find it almost impossibly hard, buggies will struggle.
When you get to GZ you'll find before you a stone groyne with little crescents of sand on each side and, more importantly, 5 highly polished chunky rocks. Sit and rest a while, but let your eyes fall to your seat and take in the feast of fossils before you. Where the rocks have been cut provides a plethora of fossils, very clear and detailed examples of many different types. Have a look at these rocks to help answer the questions.
24/09/2015 - After originally researching these and failing to find any information, I have recently accidentally discovered that these stones are actually called “Pearls Of The Earth” (Perlau’r ddaear), and are part of three sculptures on the Conwy Trail between Deganwy and Llandudno West Shore, created by sculptor Richard Harris. “The stone comes from the Raynes Quarry in Llysfaen. The stones have been cut and placed together to create a string of ‘pearls’. The tops are polished to reveal the fossils and colours of the stone – a place to rest and feel the stone beneath you.”
Fossils are formed in a number of different ways but the most common formation follows on from when a plant or animal dies and is buried in mud or silt. The remains of the creature become surrounded by the mud and silt which harden over time. The creatures soft tissues decompose, but as bones and shells are harder and denser, they generally take longer to decay. As the surrounding sediment hardens into rock, a cast of the creature is left, which then in turn fills with other things, including minerals - you might see some sparkly elements such as silica or pyrite in the fossils. This effectively makes a stone replica of the original creature, and this is the fossil.