This cache was placed whilst EL and family were on a canoe trip along the Basingstoke Canal, to celebrate her birthday.
Whilst this stretch of the canal already hosts a number of caches along the towpath, it was felt that it was about time that others were placed that would prove more challenging to reach. In order to visit this cache you will most certainly need a boat of some description. Please note that in order to take this onto the canal you will first need to obtain a permit from the Basingstoke Canal Authority, currently costing £5 per day or £40 per year; see https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/basingstokecanal/onthewater .
The cache is situated within Great Bottom Flash (yes, this really is the name) and is not accessible from the far (eastern) bank, which is MOD land and should not be visited. It is situated on a partially submerged steel barge, on the dry bit. It will be necessary to "board" the boat so take great care, as there are exposed holes leading down into the hull; you do so entirely at your own risk.
You will need to find your own launch spot to suit your needs, the waypoint is for the launch spot that we used, which then gives a pleasant paddle up to the cache. There is no slipway at this point, the canal is below the level of the bank, but it is easy to drop a canoe into the water, or launch more spectacularly as the photo shows.
This cache was placed with the kind permission of the Basingstoke Canal Authority.
The cache has been awarded the Top Cache Award by Amberel; go for a paddle and find out why.
Note - the cache location was amended slightly on 16.4.22, with the hint also changed