Inspired by the "Newcastle POI" cache (GC2KTKP) that I've recently completed, I have concocted the following for you.
Although it may be possible to work out some of the answers from your comfy seat at home, hopefully at least some will require you to get out and about in our fabulous city to find the answers. The route does pass close by a number of other city centre caches, so keep your eyes on your GPS and take a few breaks. All locations / answers are in public areas and accessible 24/7. Also, you will need to cross some busy roads, so ensure Geokids and Geodogs are on a tight leash and use the proper crossings.
Starting Location N 54° 58.110 W 001° 36.636
Assuming everything is working right, you should be at the Newcastle end of the High Level Bridge. As well as the expected road signs at the entrance, there are also 2 plaques affixed to the bridge, one either side of the footpath. (there are two identical plaques either side of the bridge, so it doesn't matter which footpath you're on)
To complete the co-ordinates for Location 2:
1st Plaque "Engineers........sons AC50"
B = The weight limit in Tonnes (T) of the bridge
Final location co-ordinate: O = 2nd Plaque, last number of finish date of conservation.
Location 2 N 54° 58.ABC W 001° 36.564
You should now be in the courtyard, in front of the old Northumberland County Hall, which is now a hotel. you'll see a slightly faded Northumberland flag above the door. There may even be a posh car or two in the car park!
To complete the co-ordinates for Location 3:
A = Number of letters in hotel name - 1
B = Number of yellow segments in Northumberland Flag above the hotel door - 2
Final location co-ordinate: R = Number of yellow segments in Northumberland Flag above the hotel door
Location 3 N 54° 58.1A0 W 001° 36.B54
You should have walked past the castle keep, underneath one of the railway arches and should now be outside one of the former entrances to the Castle. Just under the arch there is a "City Trail" plaque.
The restoration work and the instalation of an elevator in this city landmark is now all completed, so the plaque is now reachable again and I have removed the answers.
To complete the co-ordinates for Location 4:
A = How many "upper storeys were built in the 17th century"?
B = "Restored notably by R.J. Johnson 1BB3 - B4"
C = "built 1C47 - 50"
Final location co-ordinate: K = The number of letters in the colour of the gate?
Location 4 N 54° 58.A0B W 001° 36.61C
Another short walk across the top of Side and round Newcastle's own Amen Corner and in the far corner, near the top of some steps and a particularly funky rabbit, you'll find a bust on the wall above another "City Trail" plaque.
To complete the co-ordinates for Location 5:
A = the number (two digits) of the front door immediately to the left of the plaque (ironically it has a "A" too)
B = The Year of birth of the artist and naturalist 1B53
C = The number of letters in his surname
Final location co-ordinate: X = The year of death of the artist and naturalist 18X8
Location 5 N 54° 58.A2 W 001° 36.B0C
After completing your circuit of St Nicholas, you should now find yourself in front of Queen Vic (not the one in Albert Square though). We'll save a bit of time here for you to pop inside the cathedral for a look if you like and we'll just do a final location co-ordinate.
Final location co-ordinate: Y = The number of cherubs faces looking out at you from around the base of the statue.
Location 6 N 54° 58.272 W 001° 36.803
Evening times around here, especially weekends, can get a little rowdy as you're now in the Bigg Market area of the city centre, notable for the "nightlife" loosely speaking. It's perfectly fine most other times of the day though. After the short climb up Cloth Market, you should now be at the junction of High Bridge and Bigg Market. On the opposite corner to The Bee Hive Hotel, there is a Greek restaurant.
To complete the co-ordinates for Location 7:
A = The phone number of the Greek Restaurant S191 222 SSA5 (look down the side street, not at the entrance)
B & C = The phone number of the Vietnamese Restaurant next door S191 233 SBCC The restaurant mentioned is now changed name with a different phone number. "Little Saigon's phone number was 0191 233 0766
Final location co-ordinate: S = see S in clues above
Location 7 N 54° 58.AC8 W 001° 36.B4B
After another short walk along High Bridge and up the hill a little way, you should now be outside one of Newcastle's finest entertainment venues. "Oh yes it is.....Oh no it's not.....Oh yes it is". **NB** Beware Google Street View is OUT OF DATE ;)
To complete the co-ordinates for Location 8:
A = The number of pillars on the portico, that have green lamps attached.
B = The number in the name of the coffee shop on the corner of Shakespeare Street. The Cafe mentioned is now closed, but was called "9 Bar Coffee"
C = Pillars on Portico + big green lamps NOT on pillars.
Final location co-ordinate: T = (The Number of pillars on the portico of the theatre) / (the number of large green lanterns fixed to the front wall and pillars of portico)
Location 8 N 54° 58.A2B W 001° 36.7C7
Another short walk up the remainder of the hill to a rather tall monument to the gentleman that gave his name to the street you've just walked up. On the side facing down from where you've just come, there is a long gold inscription
To complete the co-ordinates for Location 9:
A = x + y where "This column was erected in x8y8"
B = y multiplied by 3
Final location co-ordinate: L = A
Location 9 N 54° 58.A66 W 001° 36.B10
Another short walk, with plenty of temptation to head off shopping for a while! But if you're still with me, you're now in Old Eldon Square and just in front of you is Newcastle's main war memorial, in memory of the city's dead from the two world wars.
To complete the co-ordinates for Location 10:
A = The number of legs the creature has on the side with the dates on.
B = The number of numbers engraved on the memorial, divided by 2
C = The number of letters in the 4th word of the main dedication, engraved on the memorial (Starts "A TRIBUTE....")
Final location co-ordinate: M = The number of letters in the word on the side with the angel on.
Location 10 N 54° 58.A02 W 001° 37.1BC
If you're in the mood for Chinese food, you're now in the right place, being at the end of Stowell Street. You'll see the Chinese Arch and you should also see a city trail plaque affixed to the remains of the city wall.
To complete the co-ordinates for Location 11:
A = The number on the pool ball, on the banner, on the white wall behind the city wall plaque.
B = What time in the morning does the pool & snooker club close?
Final location co-ordinate: P = From the city wall plaque "Largely demolished in 19P8 - 1P".
Location 11 N 54° 58.34A W 001° 37.0B6
After a short walk around the corner, you should now be outside one of the main entertainment venues in the city. You could visit the cinema or casino, stop here for plenty of choices for food and also plenty of places for a pint too, which ever way you're inclined. All we need from here is a final destination co-ordinate.
Final location co-ordinate: V = Take a quick walk around the ground floor of The Gate. Ignore the restaurant (TFI Fridays)- How many different bars and clubs are there on the Ground Floor?
Location 12 N 54° 58.219 W 001° 37.046
You should now be on Westgate Road, outside The Assembly Rooms and next door, the old county courts (now a solicitor's office)
To complete the co-ordinates for Location 13:
A = The number of windows on first floor of The Assembly Rooms
B = The number arched windows on the ground floor of the County Court building.
Final location co-ordinate: Q = The date on the front of the Assembly Rooms building 177Q?
Location 13 N 54° 58.1A7 W 001° 37.0B6
You should now be on Neville Street and outside my old "local" pub. Pop in for a pint if you fancy, or maybe finish the cache first, then come back after ;). This pub was seen in "Get Carter" when it was named The Victoria AND Comet, (or "Spit & Vomit" to the locals). It was originally two separate hotels, called The Victoria & The Comet, and latterly it has also been called Yates Wine Lodge and Durty Nellies and O'Neill's before getting it's current name in December 2014.
I know you'll be eager to get this finished now and get back for a pint, so we'll just do final location here.
Final location Co-ordinate: U = Look above the door. The bar is No. U8 Neville Street
Location 14 N 54° 58.098 W 001° 37.226
Nowhere else to go after this except the cache, so here's the last part of the jigsaw. If you're looking towards a big "Life" sign that you could walk under, look to your left and you'll see a "Conference and banqueting" sign.
Final location final co-ordinate: Z = The number of "suites" named on the Conference and Banqueting sign.
Cache Location North KL° MO.PQR West SST° UV.XYZ
***please Note*** without giving too much info about the final location, please note that occasionally and sometimes for a number of weeks at a time, the general area of GZ is used for private and/or ticket only events and as such, parts of the area are fenced off. This fencing does not normally encompass the cache hiding place, but I can't guarantee that this will always be the case. Also, during such times, the foot traffic past the hide location is far greater than "normal" times. You may have to get creative with your retrieval, or return at a later date if needs be. All will become apparent when you reach the area of GZ.
Congratulations to mike.armstrong for the FTF