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Stand and Deliver Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

Graculus: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.

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

Many thanks,

Graculus
Volunteer UK Reviewer - geocaching.com

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Hidden : 8/17/2003
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Terrain is easy enough but not suitable for wheelchairs and maybe not for pushchairs either. May get muddy in winter or after excessive rain. This cache is a 2.1 mile circular walk. Suggested parking co-ordinates are N51 44.843 W0 30.905 (or at the nearby pub, a very good starting and finishing place).

This is our first cache and is based on the story of James Snooks, a Highwayman.

Standing unobtrusively on Boxmoor Common in Hemel Hempstead, a white stone is said to mark the grave of James Snooks, reputedly the last highwayman in England to hang.

Snooks was born in 1761 at Hungerford. Before he was 40 he was well established in his career as a highwayman, and became a wanted man, forever on the run.

In May 1801, Snooks robbed a postboy, John Stevens, who was carrying the mail between Tring and Hemel Hempstead. He then fled to London. The robbery was reported to High Constable John Page of Berkhamsted, who posted 'Wanted £300 Reward' notices for Snooks' capture. Snooks remained at liberty until December, when he was captured and taken to Newgate Prison, then to Hertford Assizes for trial.

Snooks was sentenced to death, whereupon the High Constable, who obviously had high powers, stipulated that he should be hanged as close to the scene of the crime as possible. So James Snooks was hanged and buried at Boxmoor, an event reputedly witnessed by thousands of people who came from far and wide especially for the occasion. Evidently, the officals at the 'ceremony' repaired to 'The Swan' public house afterwards, by the side of the old A41. This was a fitting location, since this was the road where highwaymen would accost the stagecoach while it was on it's long journey between London and Markyate.

Strangely, the white stone-marker on Snooks' grave bears the name Robert, possible deriving from Robber Snooks. This is fitting also. After all, that's exactly what he was.

To find this cache you will need to collect some numbers on the way. The first location is at N51 44.737 W0 30.861. On the bus stop you will find a telephone number for Traveline - 08A0 608 2608.

The second location is at N51 44.667 W0 30.727. The number on the sign post is 31B.

The third location is at N51 44.649 W0 30.324. You will need two numbers from here. Snooks was hanged on 11 of which month? 1802 (January=1 February=2 etc.) This gives you D The marker was placed at his grave on 4 September 19F4.

The fourth location is at N51 44.583 W0 29.836. You will need to find a post with Boxmoor Trust Education Walk number E.

The final location to be visited is at N51 44.690 W0 30.030. The sign says it is xx miles to Braunston. Add the two digits together, discard the first digit of your answer, and you're left with C.

There is a nearby bench for you to sit on to work out the locaction of the cache.

The final cache co-ordinates are:

N51 44.ABC
W00 30.DEF

The cache container is a smallish plastic tub, with only enough room for some small items. The container is now slightly larger than previously, and now inculdes a pen, a new log book, the log book from the tiny container, and a few small items. Anybody who found the original cache is more than welcome to find and log its replacement as it is in quite a different location.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gur pnpur vf uvqqra va gur I bs n gerr ol gur pnany onax. Ba gur bccbfvgr onax ner n pbhcyr bs fvtaf fnlvat "Cevingr Ab Zbbevat"

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)