Skip to content

'X' Marks The Spot IX - Village’s Sharp Man? Mystery Cache

Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

THE ABOVE COORDINATES ARE NOT FOR THE CACHE!   They are for the 'X'-shaped Junction 10 on the M25, which you might pass through en route to this cache.


When setting caches, I most like the ones with symmetry, where the solution once resolved rings out clear as a bell.  Conversely, when trying to solve puzzles, most of my errors have been where I wildly over complicate the solution.

In caching, as in mathematics, the sciences, and the natural world around us, once you strip away the unnecessary, the simplest solution often turns out to be the best one.

This was an idea propounded by a local Surrey man many years ago and which is still referred to today.   What was his name (English version), where in Surrey was he born, and when?

H = The number of letters in his (first) name.
E = The number of letter in (the current spelling of) the village name.
UCT5 = The year of his birth.

--- N51 XX.THE ---
--- W00 XX.CUT ---

The small cachebox is near the village church. It has had to be relocated slightly and is now found 0.015 minutes north and 0.003 minutes east of the puzzle solution. Check the location below:

========================================================
Other information of no particular relevance in solving the puzzle:

In the village church there is a stained-glass window dedicated to this person.   Under the window is a statue and further written details.   The church is locked except most Sunday mornings when it is possible to access before or after the 10:30a.m. morning service.  Near the window and statue there are also some booklets, postcards and a very tasteful mug (I have one at home), all relating to this person, which can be taken in return for a generous deposit into church funds.  Underneath these are two large red bound copies of his works - if you want to sit and read it, then it is worth warning that it is not in English.

The dates of birth (and death) differ between sources.  I have taken the date from the stained-glass window - if it's good enough for the church, then it's good enough for me.

I did worry about adding this to the other "X" - Marks The Spot caches in the series.   This person essentially is only an inventor of ideas and adding the "X marks the spot" pre-fix would be seen by him as an unrequired additional level of complication.   Will he ever forgive me?   Would you?  Brambler (x)

========================================================

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ubyybj onfr bs gerr

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)