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When I was a Viking, my friend he was The Raven Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

The Strangler: Over the last few weeks I have had some personal stuff going on and as a result have decided to archive this cache. Due to poor health and being unable to drive I have not been in a good position to maintain it. I will remove any geolitter as soon as I can.

There have been many good times and I have shared some great moments with Geocachers but in recent months it has affected my health and personal life to the extent that I have decided to distance myself from the hobby and concentrate on other things far more important.

PLEASE, May I ask that there is no speculation over my personal circumstances, email me privately and please do not post personal comments here or elsewhere.

Thank you to all that took the time to find this cache.

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Hidden : 5/25/2008
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A cache based on my favourite Stranglers album.

You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.


You may need a vinyl copy of the album in order to complete my little puzzle. A CD copy will not work! there are answers on the internet of course. There is a huge clue in the title but that’s all I am giving away. The cache is a small lock, n, lock box with a few trinkets including a Stranglers jeans patch that I have had since the 1980’s and is now a trackable. It will accommodate small travel bugs and Geocoins. No FTF certificate sorry, but page one of the log is reserved for that pleasure.

The above co-ordinates are for the Birmingham Odeon. A once beautiful cinema now divided into eight screens. The Paramount Theatre opened on 4th September 1937. In August 1942, it was sold to Oscar Deutsch's Odeon Theatres Ltd. and it was re-named Odeon. In 1965 it was closed for a period while major modernisation was carried out. The Odeon was then used for many live shows during this period of time, including appearances by The Beatles. The Stranglers also played many a fine gig there and for one gig in particular I have been recorded on tape for posterity! For a long while it was the premier concert venue in Birmingham. In May 1988 the Odeon was closed for conversion into a six screen cinema, which re-opened in August 1988. Two screens were later added in 1991.

The cache is not at the Odeon but is within 2 miles of it. Bus routes will take you from the city to nearby the cache location or you can take the Cross City line to the nearest station and it is then a 20-minute walk. The co-ordinates can be deduced from the questions below to give you the final location of:

N52 AB.CDE W001 FG.HIJ

A= Title track number
B= Last digit of published year minus 1
C= Atomically speaking, what is this track number?
D= Second digit of the Quatrane number
E= ? : 3 : 3 : 1
F= How many gaps between tracks on side 1?
G= “A Porky Prime…….”how many letters in the missing word? x2
H= Number of words in title of track 2, side 2
I = “Down Under”- Number of lines of verse
J= UAG302? + ? = ?

The final location is a pleasant area of park and nature trail in Birmingham. Plenty of parking space is available around the location although the main car park closes at dusk and re-opens at dawn. Pedestrian access is available 24/7. The final few feet to the cache can be a little muddy during wet weather and is not recommended in the dark. The general location of the cache is wheelchair accessible however the final few feet are not.
The area is very popular with joggers and dog walkers all day and is also a favourite spot at lunchtime in the week.

Please take time to observe the wildlife here. It is really stunning.
I hope you find this cache and reasonably easily. I would welcome any constructive comments as this is my first puzzle cache.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

1 Lbh ernyyl qb arrq gb erfrnepu n ivaly pbcl, ybbx uneq! Gur nafjref ner bhg gurer. 2 Svany ybpngvba: Ybbxvat sebz gur cngu, pnpur vf uvqqra qrrc oruvaq evtug bs guerr vil pbirerq gerrf ng tebhaq yriry, 10 cnprf sebz gur cngu rqtr.

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)