Watcher in the Woods Mystery Cache
kidicarus: I'm sad to see this one go as it was my first cache. Hopefully one day, it will rise from the ashes.
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This cache has been designed to be FOUND ONLY AT NIGHT. Please bring a torch to complete this cache.
The above co-ordinates are for parking only.
The ruined castle at Berry Pomeroy is reputed to be one of the most haunted in the British Isles. Over the years, It has been the scene of numerous ghostly sightings and strange phenomena. Visitors to Berry Pomeroy Castle have experienced photographic failure, paranormal sounds, strange lights, voices, cold spots and freak winds. Other apparitions include the ubiquitous Cavalier and strange shadows with no earthly presence to cast them. The most enduring ghosts seem to be the terrifying presence of both a White and Blue Lady.
The White Lady haunts the dark dungeon, and rises from St Margaret's Tower to the castle ramparts, where she has been seen beckoning to witnesses. According to the legend she is the spirit of Margaret Pomeroy, who was imprisoned in the dungeon by her sister Eleanor. Eleanor was jealous of both her beauty and her affections for the man she had designs upon. Margaret was locked away and slowly starved in the dungeon, a long drawn out and painful death. Whether she is the source of the feeling of unease and horror some people experience at the castle, is unknown.
The Blue Lady is not confined to specific areas of the castle and is supposed to lure people into parts of the ruin to die. Traditionally she is seen as the ghost of the daughter of one of the Norman Lords of the castle. She was raped by her father, who then strangled the resulting child in one of the upper rooms some years later. At various times, the cries of the murdered infant can be heard throughout the castle.
The Castle is closed for admittance in the evening but the public footpaths to and fro, as well as around, the castle are accessible 24/7. For increased fear factor, I suggest that you park at the main gates and approach the castle on foot via the long drive-way surrounded by trees. The start of the adventure is in the main car-park, a quarry that was the source of much of the slate used for the building.
From the gate, take the path and sweep with a torch both high and low. Follow the markers that will take you deeper into the woods and ultimately towards the cache. Listen out for any strange eerie sounds. If you do hear anything out of the ordinary, then the local inhabitants already know you're there! Whatever you do, keep your wits about you and don't stray from the path until the very end.
p.s. There are strange things in the woods that like to watch you. If you feel the hair on the back of your neck stand up, that’s them…
p.p.s Please re-camouflage the cache site afterwards.
Berry Pomeroy Castle, English Heritage Site. (visit link)
Mysterious Britain Site. (visit link)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jura lbh svaq n fznyy fxhyy snpr jvgu fvyire znexref, ghea avargl qrterrf pybpxjvfr naq ybbx sbe n cragntenz va gur jbbqf. Gur pnpur vf pybfr ol.
Treasures
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