Series Description:
Having enjoyed several other series on Dartmoor, this is my first attempt at a small one of my own.
The famous five series of books are generally assumed to be set in fictional places, except for perhaps Kirrin Island which some say might be based on Corfe Castle on the Purbeck Peninsular in Dorset.
This series of caches is loosely based on Enid Blyton's "Five on a Hike Together". Whilst re-reading the book recently, I was struck with the similarity of the places described in this story with Dartmoor. There was a prison in the story in the middle of the moor (Princetown Prison?). Other places described which could be on Dartmoor were the "sunken lanes" upon which the children travelled, the marshes on the moors, the standing stones and the beacon hills. I enjoyed imagining the story being set in the real parts of Dartmoor that I now know.
This series of caches could be used as an introduction to some of the many delights of Dartmoor as it will take you to places which are like some of the places in the book. It does not attempt to follow the children's journey and locate everything in one area because the book is a work of fiction and is not set in any real place.
Most of the caches are within 3 miles of the suggested parking and none of them are situated within a firing range.
All caches in this series are placed in accordance with DNPA guidelines
Please be aware that most of the caches will involve walking on Dartmoor on quite rough terrain. The weather on Dartmoor can change suddenly and unexpectedly. Please ensure that you have the correct clothing and map & compass even though the cache may not be far from the suggested parking.
Although you do not have to attempt the feeder caches in any order, you may wish to follow the order in the titles if you want to follow the story of the book.
Enjoy!
Geocache Description – 9. The Treasure!
The Story
During their adventure, the children have realised that if they paddle about on Gloomy Water until they can spot all the items on the map at the same time, then they will be directly above the spot where the boat called "Saucy Jane" was sunk with the stolen jewels.
The children venture onto the water trying to find the spot and dive down into the water to recover the stolen jewels. They make their way back to civilisation whilst the two criminals, who have been trying to do the same thing, get stuck in the marshes.
The Cache
The cache is not sited at the posted co-ordinates.
To find the correct co-ordinates for this cache, you will need to find all the other caches in this series "Five on a Hike Together” to collect clues as to where it is.
I won't make you dive down into Gloomy Water to recover the final treasure, but you will visit yet another area of Dartmoor closely associated with warrening, waymarking crosses, bronze age settlements, mires, chapels and of course, water.
The cache is sited at:
N 50 2 (Two Trees + Marshes - Rabbits - Gloomy Water)
.
( Gloomy Water + Saucy Jane + Tock Hill - Two Trees )
( Marshes + Tall Stone - Saucy Jane - Maggie Knows )
( Rabbits + Marshes - Maggie Knows - Tock Hill )
W 003 5 ( Maggie Knows + Two Trees + Tall Stone - Marshes )
.
( Marshes + Tall Stone - Saucy Jane - Gloomy Water )
( Saucy Jane + Maggie Knows + Tock Hill - Tall Stone )
( Rabbits + Gloomy Water + Tall Stone - Tock Hill )
A return walk from the suggested parking directly to the cache and return is less than 6 miles.
Points of Interest
The additional reference points for this cache are within a few miles of the cache, some of which would involve a further walk to visit.
If you find this cache, CONGRATULATIONS on completing your trip around some of Dartmoor's iconic places. It is an area rich with interesting places to visit and plenty more to see. I hope you have enjoyed the trip and the treasure which awaits the first visitor to the cache!