THE CACHE IS NOT LOCATED AT THE CO-ORDINATES ABOVE THE LOCATION OF THE FINAL CACHE AND MINOR CHANGES TO CLUES WERE MADE 19-09-2010 AND AGAIN 28-08-2019. About the series: The theme of the Mercator Projection Series is generally locating a cache by projecting from a point or points some distance away. Having an interest in maps and navigation etc. might be an advantage. The MP leader board can be found on my public profile.
This cache: Visit 2 pubs and then 3 “peaks” to find the final cache. Walking distance is between 2km and 6km and the estimated time required is 50 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much you decide to drive or walk. Visit the 4 locations/stages in the following order to find the cache at the 5th stage, peak 3. Use a clue at each peak to find the next peak. An Ordnance Survey map would be useful.
1.The entrance to the car park of the Prince of Wales pub in Stow Maries – note the co-ordinates (to be used at stage 5). Good pub with real ales, well worth a visit, a pleasant watering hole before or after caching.
2.Park in the car park of the Bell pub, Woodham Ferrers (the main co-ordinates N51 39.867 E0 35.950).
3.Peak 1 - walk through the churchyard and follow the public footpath to peak no.1 at N51 39.926 E035.463. A = The number of trees within 40m.
4.Peak 2 is about 715m x A from Peak 1 on a footpath to Edwin's. B = the number of horizontal sections in the kissing gate. The walk to peak 2 is worthwhile and recommended. Start off by going through the pub garden. If you are short of time you can drive to a point fairly close but it is not particularly safe or easy to park.
5.Peak 3 - the summit and the cache. About 108m x B from peak 2 and 1.74km from the Prince of Wales. Enjoy the walk and the views.