The original farce goes back to June 1865 when the newly-built
Guildford-Horsham railway was inspected by the Board of Trade prior
to opening. The Board decided that the 1:80 slope up to Rudgwick
station was too steep and that it should be reduced to 1:130 for
safety reasons. This meant raising the line for at least 2 miles
south of the station towards Slinfold. Any bridges in the effected
area therefore had to be raised. In the case of the Arun bridge,
the original brick bridge was left untouched and a higher plate
girder bridge was added. Work was fast in those days as the line
was finally opened on 2nd October 1865.
Surrey and Sussex councils, who jontly manage The Downs Link,
have recently put up a plaque on the bridge telling this
story. It was only having read this that I saw the connection
between this bridge and The Downs Link logo that appears on
the Bridleway signs along the line (duh!).
On to the cache. As the title suggests, it involves a little bit
of hunting for micros along this section of The Downs Link, before
finding the co-ordinates for the cache box. There are 2 stages
before you get to the cache.
From the plaque on the bridge, take a few steps to the South
East (still on the East side of bridge), you will be very near the
micro. Still cannot find it? Check the hint. There is a "Viewpoint"
which is sign-posted around 20 yards south of the bridge, the view
from there might inspire you.
I make no apologies for an element of plagiarism here! I hope to
share a drink with a few of those whose ideas have been copied on
Sunday at the Sussex Wheel bash. Thanks to Sussex Leprechauns who
started this series and permitted me to join their numbering
system.
Suggested SAFE parking is at N51 05.195 W00 26.879 on Queen
Elizabeth Road in Rudgwick. Take the footpath to The Downs Link
that runs opposite number 10, Queen Elizabeth Road. There is
parking for one (maybe two) car(s) at N51 05.132 W00 26.664. This
is on the main A281 which is a fast road and has some "Hidden Dips"
right at that spot, so please take care.
Because Brambler is always kind, there are no "nanos" here and
there is nothing that requires climbing down to the lower bridge.
It is possible to get down there and there are some great cache
hiding spots, but the bridge is too high - as is the risks of a
fall.
Please leave everything as you find it, and be careful about
spoilers in your logs.
I usually try and recommend a local pub, and am pleased to say
that one of my favourite pubs is within range of this cache: The
Blue Ship, at The Haven. Quite a difficult place to find, so here
are rough GPS co-ordinates: N51 03.842 W0 27.285.
I hope you have fun!