Boats long gone Traditional Geocache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A little known section of an old canal
The co-ordinates have been changed. And therein lies an interesting story. Simon04 reported on 10th May that he made a repeat visit but couldn’t find the cache. So we went out to take a look and sure enough it had vanished. Armed with a replacement cache box we went farther along the path and spotted a likely new hiding place. And would you believe? There in that very spot was the cache box, still with most of its contents, although unfortunately no travel bugs. The logbook contained this cryptic entry – “19/4/08 On a pathway”. It seems that some kind soul found the cache box on the path and hid it the best they could. Thanks to them whoever they may be.
This cache is still located alongside the banks of the old Wilts and Berks Canal.
A section just south of the village of Shrivenham has been restored by hardworking volunteers, and you can find out a little about it from these web pages:
(visit link)
(visit link)
Unfortunately their hard work has not been backed by positive maintenance help by the local authority, and as with many of these schemes the volunteers are not really able to keep up with the necessary work to keep things in good order. Nevertheless this is a pleasant backwater and is well worth a visit.
Shrivenham is off the main road from Swindon to Oxford. Drive into the village, and go down Stainswick Lane, which is almost opposite the Post Office. Drive past the houses, and ignore a pull-in space on the left. However, just after that is a carpark on your left serving the canal. Money was obviously spent here originally, but it is looking a little sad, especially the custom built boat ramp, which is unlikely to see any boats going down it for many years to come.
To find the cache you must get onto the old towpath on the opposite side of the canal. It is about a quarter of a mile away.
Part of this area is shown on the DEFRA site (look for Shrivenham). If you have never been to that site before it is well worth a visit as it contains details and maps of walks all over the country, places where the owners have given permission for public entry. The website is:
(visit link)
IMPORTANT: The owner of this cache is getting on in years and is unfortunately unable to maintain the cache these days. It will therefore be much appreciated if future finders of this cache could provide a new log book if the original is wet or missing - also dry out the box if is is damp inside. UPDATE: In Dec 2015 geocacher ARD17 very kindly replaced the box, which had become damaged and soaked. ARD17 has also provided a new log book. Many thanks. UPDATE Feb 2018 geomikca reported that the cache again needs some maintenance - it gets wet easily apparently, so it will be appreciated if future finders make sure that the inside of cache is dry and that the lid is securely closed afterwards. Thanks. . Bonaccord.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Zvaq gur oneorq jver