GCYFRW Moor Green Lakes Safari (Multi-cache) in United Kingdom created by Mr.Dewdrop

This cache has been archived.

Mr'D: Archiving as I am not 100% happy with the final cache location.

GCYFRW ▼

A cache by Mr.Dewdrop Message this owner

Hidden : 10/1/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve has been established through the careful restoration of gravel workings. This is an important site for breeding and wintering birds and there are three lakes with gravel islands that attract wildfowl for breeding and loafing. A number of scrapes have also been created to attract wading birds. Over 200 species of bird have been recorded in this area of the Blackwater Valley.

I make no apologies for making this quite a long multi, but I am sure you will enjoy your walk. It will take you around the lakes to the north of the River Blackwater on an out and back with a loop at the far end. Unfortunately there is no lakeside access to the north making a full circular route impossible. The round trip is just under 4 miles and should take you just over an hour at a leisurely pace. Cache is OK for pushchairs providing you are OK lifting them over a couple of stiles on the way.

Your journey begins at the Moor Green Lakes car park to the north west of the lakes close to Moor Green Farm shown on the map (Streetmap link). Here there is parking for around a dozen vehicles on a good surface. The car park closes in the evenings, so be sure to be back before the time shown at the entrance. The cache is placed outside the nature reserve.

At the following waypoints note the information required, and substitute the letters for numbers in the formula for the final cache coordinates.

WP1
At the southern end of the car park there is a noticeboard. Note the telephone number 01252 33135A
Now go through the A-gate and take the footpath heading south around the lake. You will pass mineral workings on the right and Colebrook Lake North on your left. The mineral workings will become part of the nature reserve over the coming decade (I remember this whole reserve as gravel pits some 15 years ago) Continue walking south until you reach the River Blackwater and a fork in the path, then turn left.

WP2
Note the date on the bench. 199B - 2003
Continue walking down the path keeping the River Blackwater on your right.

WP3
There is an old sign here - something quite unique. Number of yards = CD
Continue along the path until you reach Mill Lane, then take the footpath on your left heading around Horseshoe Lake. You will pass through the Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre. Carry on walking through the centre keeping the lake on your left.

WP4
Another bench. Note the dates 19E0 - 2004.
Carry on around the lake. After a short while you will come to a boardwalk, taking you between Horseshoe and Colebrook lakes back to the Blackwater path.

WP5
How many silver bands attach the Horsehoe Lake sign to its uprights. Total number = F

You now have all the information required to locate the cache. Substitute the numbers for letters in the following grid and perform the calculation:

A =

B =

C =

D =

E =

F =

The cache can be found at: N51 21. (A+1) (B+6) (C+3) W0 50. (D-1) (E+4) (F-4)

HINT: It's a fair walk between WP5 and the cache, but you might just be going that way anyway... ;-)

You are looking for a small snap-lock container containing the logbook, pen, and a few swaps. Please be careful to replace the cache so it's secure and well covered.

Good luck!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ghpxrq vagb gur vil oruvaq gerr ng rlr yriry. Zvaq gur ubefrf!

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)