GC27K4Y Curse of the FTF Flintshire - #6 - Hen Blas Castle (Traditional Cache) in North Wales, United Kingdom created by jw rallying

This cache has been archived.

Southerntrekker: This cache has been in need of care and maintenance for some time and as the owner has not repaired/replaced it, I am archiving it.

Guidelines:[i] "You are responsible for occasional visits to your cache to maintain proper working order, especially when someone reports a problem with the cache (missing, damaged, wet, etc.). You may temporarily disable your cache to let others know not to search for it until you have a chance to fix the problem. This feature is to allow you a reasonable amount of time - normally a few weeks - in which to check on your cache. If a cache is not being maintained, or has been temporarily disabled for an unreasonable length of time, we may archive the listing."[/i]

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Regards

Southerntrekker
London & North Wales Volunteer UK Reviewer - www.geocaching.com
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Regards

GC27K4Y ▼

A cache by jw rallying Message this owner

Hidden : 4/27/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is a continuation of the Curse of the FTF Flintshire Series. It requires a walk of approximately 0.25 of a mile on a footpath across a farmers field. You are looking for a cammo 35mm film cannister. The cache only contains a log, so please take a pen or a pencil.

You SHOULD follow the instructions contained within the cache listing, if you wish to extend the series throughout Flintshire.

Guidelines for this series are below:

1. FTF'er should place the next cache in the series (in this case, Curse of the FTF -Flintshire Cache Series # 7) within 1 month. Please note only the FTF'er should place the next cache and not every time someone finds the cache.

2. You can only be a FTF for this series once. This spreads the FTF love around, and gives others a chance to play along. (This is at least till everyone has had ago at FTF who wants to)

3. Cache can be any size or type of cache (Puzzle, Multi,etc.), but I do ask that you set it in the Flintshire area and if it is a puzzle then it should not be too hard, so it can be easily solved by everyone.

4. You must include this set of guidelines in your listing for the series. I will be happy to answer any questions concerning the guidelines or about the placing of caches to those who have not placed a cache before.

By way of clarification, there is no requirement besides the standard signing of the cache log to prevent you from logging this cache when found.

Everyone should log their find, and hopefully the FTF person will play along and place another cache, but it is in no way a requirement for logging your find. But, if you don't intend to carry on the series please do not FTF and leave it for someone else.

Thanks to Andy and Matt for bringing the series to N.Wales with Curse of the FTF - Conwy # 1 (Orme View)

Huge thanks to:
Team Marzipan for placing FTF Flintshire #1
Mold Monsters for FTF Flintshire #2
Scavenging Scout for FTF Flintshire #3
Team Lettice for FTF Flintshire #4
GW0DSP for FTF Flintshire #5
jw rallying for FTF Flintshire #6

Now a bit about the cache.......

You are looking for the cache which is placed as close as legally possible, due to footpath constraints, to the remains of Hen Blas Castle also knows as Coleshill Castle just outside Bagillt in Flintshire.
There is mention of a castle being built in this location in 1157 and captured in 1166. The physical remains include an enclosure approximately 48m north-south by 50m east-west sited on a spur-end beween two streams flowing from west to east. It is defined by a ditch on the west and elsewhere by steep natural slopes. On the west is an outer enclosure 72m north-south by 78m, again ditched on the west.
Excavations concluded in 1957 demonstrated that an earthwork castle was replaced by a 'fortified manorhouse' in the early thirteenth century which was itself abandoned in the late fourteenth century
At the intersection of two steep valleys is the site of the castle which shows, by the earthworks which remain, that it once had an inner ward and a large outer enclosure, a formation perhaps developed from a very early motte and bailey castle. Its history is unknown, but in 1244 a wooden castle was documented as being "at Coleshill" which is less than half a mile away. There are also traces of a stone structure from the 13th or 14th century, but it has been established that these had no military purpose.
There is a mound of stones and a large piece of slate with a plaque on it at the current site. I dont know what is on the plaque as there is no access due to barb wire fences. The co ordinates for the castle are included in the waypoints but as there is no footpath to this point from GZ you are at your own risk. Parking is limited, I put the van right up on the grass tight to the hedge so please take care, parking co ordinates can be found in the waypoints along with the trailhead.

Well done to madamas on your FTF

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

fbzr fgbarf arkg gb fbzr jbbq

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)