Run, Spring and Rock - Llanwonno Multi-Cache
Write and Mane: Sadly, the final stage location no longer looks secure and now seems even more prone to fly-tipping and associated anti-social behaviour. Add to this the loss of the original first stage plaque (which we were assured would be back in place within weeks, over a year ago) and this makes the original concept no longer valid.
What a pity, because we still think this area offers wonderful opportunities for exploration and enjoyment.
Run, Spring and Rock - Llanwonno
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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If you blink, you could miss Llanwonno – but it is worth a closer look. Expect to walk about 2 miles, with 200 feet of ascent, on road or forest track, to do this three-stage multicache. Enjoy the scenery and views while finding out a little more about this tiny hamlet. The cache is a medium sized plastic lunch box.
Llanwonno has had a more active past, but it is now reduced to two buildings, the Brynfynnon Hotel and St Gwynno’s Church. There is parking just north of the church or east of the pub. The reference coordinates for the cache will take you to one of the two buildings – yes, you’ve guessed, it’s another graveyard start! But, for those who hate this sort of search area, you can always seek relief at the other building which is not far away. The first stage is a virtual cache (VC1) where you should learn that Griffith Morgan died in ABCD at the age of EF. Unfortunately, it is a little more difficult to find these answers, since the memorial plaque was removed from the outside wall of the porch for restoration. Hopefully, it will come back one day. The memorial plate would have told you that he defeated Prince from Bedwas in a running race over 12 miles, with a winning time of 53 minutes. This would be a pretty good time even by today’s standards.
Griffith Morgan came from Nyth Bran Farm in Porth, about 3 miles to the south, and was more commonly known as Guto Nyth Bran. He had been a champion runner, but so good that he ran out of challengers for races for which there was prize money. So he had not raced seriously for some years when Prince made his challenge. Although Guto won the race, he collapsed and died at the end under the enthusiastic congratulations of his sweetheart. This is not the only memorial to Guto – his fame is also commemorated by the Nos Galon race which takes place on New Years Eve in Mountain Ash. If you want to know more about Guto, try the following website:
www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/halloffame/historical_figures/gutonythbran.shtml
While around the church, see if you can spot a cross in a drystone wall (see image). This is the only place that we have seen anything like it: is it unique to Llanwonno? Please let us know if you are aware of others.
The second virtual cache (VC2) is at:
N51 3K.LM4 W003 2N.PQ3 where:
K = A + B
L = C x E
M = A + F
N = B – C
P = D / F
and Q = P + E
Here you should find a quotation from Psalm GH:J. Why is it here? It was probably associated with St Gwynno’s Well, which is below the road and lost in undergrowth and brambles, towards the back of the pub.
The regular cache (RC3) is at:
N51 3U.VW2 W003 2X.YZ8 where:
U = H + Q
V = H + J
W = G + J + Q
X = H
Y = G + J
and Z = G x C
As you approach RC3, you will be rewarded by fine views across the Rhondda Valleys. Look out for the fossil impressions of trees in the Pennant Sandstone rocks – you should pass the example in the uploaded image: please don’t take this particular rock home with you.
If you head north from RC3, you can make this into a circular walk, adding about ½ mile and another 100 feet of ascent. Just keep going, parallel to the forest boundary, until you reach a road. Turning right, down the road, will get you back to the start. The going should be easy in dry weather, but can be pretty boggy when wet.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Lbh nyernql unir vg!
Treasures
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