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#1C NoCMoC – Visitor Centre - Stitchwort Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Kitty!!: After almost 10 years it is time for this series to go.

1020 different Geocachers have logged one or more finds of my caches in Hanningfield. As most Geocachers visit in pairs or as a family this probably represents 2 or 3 thousand Geocachers! A total of 4,945 finds were logged. Favourite points were not introduced until long after the trail was set and, as the trail was intended to be a family orientated starter trail and attracted non-premium cachers who could not award points. On this basis I am very proud to have received 291 points.

Thank you to the 638 finders of this cache and the 31 who awarded it a favourite point.

Thank you to The Warden, Bill, and his team at Hanningfield for accommodating my caches. It was a privilege to be able to place them on the Reserve.

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Hidden : 1/6/2013
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:





Full details of the NoCMoC trail of caches, hints and a map can be found here. Please note that to access these Visitor Centre Caches you MUST go through either the Visitor Centre or Fishing Lodge at the bottom of Gifford Lane. See waypoints on GC41JAQ #1A woodants.


Stellaria (Stitchwort)

Our caching trail in the reserve takes you through areas of ancient woodland. If you visit in the spring you will enjoy the carpet of Bluebells and Stitchwort (genus Stellaria)

Stitchwort has pretty star-shaped, white flowers which bloom from April to June. Greater Stitchwort has five white petals, each deeply notched and almost divided into two. Its green leaves are grass-like in appearance and its brittle stems are square. Greater Stitchwort has larger flowers (2-3cm across) than its relative, Lesser Stitchwort (0.5-1cm across). As they ripen you can hear the the seed capsules 'popping' in late spring. Finches and other seed eating birds feed on these.

The name "Stitchwort" is derived from its reputation as a cure for a stitch in the side. According to some references it is has also been used as a cure for the sting of venomous reptiles. I wouldn't, however, put it to the test!

Stichwort has many other common names including 'Wedding Cakes', 'Star-of-Bethlehem', 'Daddy's-shirt-buttons' and 'Snapdragon' - the latter because its stems are brittle and easily break.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gerr sehvg. Unatvat. Gjvfg gb bcra - cyrnfr qba'g chyy QB ABG OERNX VAGB GUR ERFREIR IVN NAL SRAPR!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)