GC1FMZK Alex's Rest Stop - Oakley (Traditional Cache) in Southern England, United Kingdom created by Octopusann

This cache has been archived.

Alba15: 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.

Alba15
Volunteer UK Reviewer - geocaching.com
UK Geocaching Information & Resources site http://www.follow-the-arrow.co.uk/resources/

GC1FMZK ▼

A cache by Octopusann Message this owner

Hidden : 8/22/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Oakley is located just to the West of Basingstoke and is said to be the largest village in Hampshire. It is made up of the villages of Church Oakley and East Oakley. The name of the cache reminds me a walk I took with my son a few years ago. It was a lovely sunny day and we stopped here to admire the view.

The roads through the village are narrow and quite busy so please park with consideration and take care when walking on any of the roads. There are two possible parking places: on Dummer Lane (N51 14.522 W001 11.170) and take the track which goes off next to the entrance to Oakley Cricket Club. Follow around the field to avoid the cricket ground. To do the Circular walk you could also park here and pick up the walk in the middle or park in the layby in the village (N51 14.957 W001 10.713).

The Cache is a small click lock container. The paths are quite easy to follow but maybe wet.

Circular Route - assumes Oakley Pond as the starting point but can be picked up at any point

The cache can be combined with many others in the area and a circular route can be taken by turning R down Rectory Road at the T junction. After a few yards look out for the footpath sign on the left opposite the Old Post Office (note the grey GR post box on the front).

Follow the path and set off clockwise around the field. After a short distance, you should see a path bearing off right diagonally across the field (visibility depends on the state of the crop). It comes out at roughly N51 14.572 W001 11.169. Walk down the field towards the railway line. Emerge CAREFULLY onto the road.

Take great care. The road is narrow and a very busy rat-run. You will need to walk a hort distance on the road under the railway bridge. Look out for a stile on the right. This takes you onto a path which parallels the road. It is quite overgrown and obviously needs more use but is far, far safer than walking up the road. Follow the path when it bends right with the road then comes out at a stile as the road bends left again. At this point you are on the Wayfarers’ walk and can pick up some of the WW cache series.

The follow the WW track away from the road towards a small copse which it by-passes. Continue to follow it as it drops down to an underpass under the railway line. Go straight up the hill on the other side until you come to a cross-paths.

At this point, leave the WW (which goes straight on) and turn right. Follow the track along the edge of the field then diagonally across the next field to a gap on the hedge. Go through the gap and after a few yards you will come to a bench where the tracks fork. The bench has been placed to commemorate a dog called Basil. It is a great place to sit and look at the views down to Oakley Church and across to the radio mast at Hannington.

Take the left fork towards the church. Follow the path past the church and out onto the road. Turn right on the road (again take care as it can be quite busy) and head up past Oakley’s second Pond and back to the main Pond.

All the tracks are reasonably well defined but some of them can be muddy so wear suitable footwear. There are many caches either on or very close to the route. These include (at date of writing):-

The Pond - Oakley
The Old Post Office - Oakley
Dummer Lane - Oakley
Wayfarer's Walk - Noushies Tea Party (off route)
Wayfarer's Walk - Bulls Bushes
Wayfarer's Walk - Going Under
Wayfarer's Walk - No Wires??
Wayfarer's Walk - Cheesedown Farm (off route)
Wayfarer's Walk - Zeppies Chuffer
Alex’s rest stop - Oakley
Basil’s Bench - Oakley

The basic walk is about 2.5 – 3 miles but can be extended or shortened to suit.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre gur raq bs gur frng fhccbeg

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)