REALLY SideTracked - Althorne Traditional Geocache
Bean & Sprout: The cache was indeed missing. I had brought a replacement just in case, but given the recent addition of barbed wire to this hiding spot I wasn't happy to have a cache here now. So am archiving this one instead.
REALLY SideTracked - Althorne
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A cache near the Southminster branch line, not far from Althorne station. Althorne Station is an unmanned station on the Crouch Valley Line (formerly the Southminster Branch line), a single tracked branch line running between Wickford and Southminster.
The cache is on a public footpath. This footpath crosses the nearby railway tracks but you do not need to cross the tracks to access GZ from the suggested parking area at the nearby Bass Wood.
Take care at the level crossing by the station entrance when accessing the suggested parking as there are no barriers here, only lights.
At GZ the railway line passes close by and trains pass regularly in both directions. While hedged and partly fenced, the boundary would not prevent geohounds from potentially entering the railway line. Please keep your dog on a lead and keep your children close by.
There is a small gate to open to enter the pedestrian crossing which is within sight of GZ. Currently the latch for this gate is broken and the gate held shut with a piece of blue rope. Please ensure children and geohounds are kept away from the crossing.
If you decide to approach GZ using the north/south footpath please take extreme care crossing the tracks. This is a 'STOP LOOK LISTEN' crossing so there are no warning lights. Trains pass in both directions; please cross with care.
I stress again that you do NOT need to use this crossing at all if you park at the suggested parking area so please do not cross here unless you really need too and never allow children to cross here alone.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybbx sbe gur byq nzbatfg gur arj