Hardly any walking is necessary, except
for the final section (16 and 17) which requires a walk of a
mile or so on hilly ground (with a good path). Five hours is
the minimum time required if travelling by car, but it can be
completed in a day by a good cyclist (there is good parking
at the start, which is close to the finish). All sites have
parking or a lay-by adjacent, so there’s no need to cruise
along attempting to spot the cache from the car. The clues
are all quite obvious (if you’re in the right spot),
reasonably prominent and permanent. Carefully study the name
of each stage, as each is also a clue. Take a picnic, and
take your time! Because of the length of the search, you may
want to split it into two sections. The best split is after
“The Wheel” as there is a long drive through Douglas to the
next site.
Essentials: GPS unit, with good knowledge of
how to set up a waypoint! Good mental arithmetic, or a calculator.
Transport (car or bike).
Desirable: Isle of Man Ordnance Survey Map
(almost essential). It may be useful to convert the Lat/Long to
Grid co-ordinates and find the rough position on the map before
moving on. Companion(s) – it’s not advisable to try driving and
navigating at the same time – although the cyclist may manage.
Stout walking shoes or boots (for the last mile, although the paths
are good).
Old (or tough) clothes (for the final few yards, where there may be
brambles and gorse).
Contents of the cache are meant to be better
than average because of the amount of effort involved in finding
it!
1. Drive Off (at a much loved bench mark:
N 54° 05.481 / W 004° 46.059)
To N 54°AB.306, W 004°CD.787
A = number of birds minus 2
B = number of birds x 3
C = number of birds x 2
D = number of birds + 1
2. Thomas
To N 54°AB.798, W 004°CD.400
A = The Manx Europa Stamp less 1977
B = The second digit of Nicholson’s birth year
CD = Nicholson’s last year less 1944
3. To the Beach
To N 54°AB.021,W 004°CD.331
AB = minutes minus 4
CD = minutes plus 27
4. SaVe!SaVe!
A lunch opportunity here, also a scenic stroll.
To N 54°AB.659,W 004°CD.770
AB = unluckily, once: below
CD = add all four numbers, then add 9
5. The Green Door
Head for the Castle first, then find this wartime relic
To N 54°AB.553,W 004°CD.890
AB = the Harbour Board (the first and last digits)
CD = the Harbour Board (the third then first digit)
6. The Dial
To N 54°AB.926,W 004°CD.553
AB = Minutes (‘) of Latitude, plus 3
CD = Seconds (“) of Longitude, less 10
7. Vow and Sow
To N 54°AB.311, W 004°CD.463
AB = Total of the left-hand one
CD = Add all three bottom figures, then subtract the highest top
one
8. The Owners of Ballamoar
To N 54°AB.347,W 004°CD.741
AB = Catherine, less 1800.
CD = AB
9. Devitt’s repose
To N 54°AB.940,W 004°CD.291
ABCD = Year of birth plus 314
ALTERNATIVE
AB = The Beach, the Beach
CD = the Beach, the Marram Dunes
10. The Northern wife plays rugby in black
and yellow
To N 54°AB.568,W 004°CD.113
AB = Under minus 8
CD = Over plus 20
11. Manx Heritage Year
Have some bread available
To N 54°AB.903,W 004°CD.054
AB = the number of trees plus 3
CD = AB plus 2
12. Loki and the otter
(Look at number 122)
To N 54°AB.0FE,W 004°CD.E2F
ABCD = The year the King was treacherously slain, plus 567.
(Look at the note below 149)
EF = the total number of pieces
13. Persecution and Banishment
To N 54°AB.561,W 004°CD.463
AB = Add together the last two numbers of the eight
CD = Add the first, third, fifth, sixth, seventh and
eighth
14. Guinness Galore
To N 54°AB.155,W 004°CD.690
ABCD = weight plus 144
15. The Wheel
To N 54°0A.BCD,W 004°EF.G59
Exposed to the elements, and leaning a bit, this four-spoked wheel
has a number plate with two digits on it: XY
A = B from Persecution and Banishment, plus 2
B = D from Guinness Galore
CD = XY plus 8
EF = XY minus 27
G = D from Loki and the Otter
16. A Familiar Couple
To N 54° AB.EFF, W 004° CD.GHH
ABCD = the same as the present co-ordinates (it’s not far!)
E = the latest year, less 1994
FF = "The Wheel", less 18
G = the earliest year, less 1905
HH = "The Wheel", less 7
17. Great Shot!
The hunt is almost over…
To N 54° AB.53E, W 004° CD.FGH
ABCD = still the same
E = money divided by 1000
FGH = number of yards north + 92
