GC1HWMJ Paua Shell House (Canterbury) (Unknown Cache) in South Island, New Zealand created by x-marks the spot (adopted by mrdan01)

This cache has been archived.

mrdan01: The museum is undergoing a major redevelopment at the moment, unfortunately as a result the Paua Shell House will not be available to visitors for about five years. That is too long to leave this cache temporarily disabled so I have made the difficult decision to archive it. Perhaps a new cache can be placed when it reopens. https://www.canterburymuseum.com/redevelopment/

GC1HWMJ ▼

A cache by x-marks the spot (adopted by mrdan01) Message this owner

Hidden : 11/5/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

The co-ordinates listed are not the final position, but mark the Canterbury museum, where you will need to visit between 9am and 5pm to get the answers to a few questions first before heading to the cache.
Terrain flat. Wheelchair/stroller accessable.
High muggle area at times, particularly in weekends

This cache is dedicated to an iconic kiwi couple, formerly of Bluff, Southland. Every day for over 40 years Fred and Myrtle opened their home to around 1 million visitors to share their extensive shell collection which was displayed around their home.

The most famous of their collection were the polished paua shells numbering approximately 1000, which Fred had collected and pollished himself over a 27 year period. These were then used to decorate the couples' lounge room by being nailed to the walls.

When the couple passed away, their grandson gifted the shell collection to the Canterbury Museum and their house has been "re-built" inside the museum. Each shell has been placed in the exact position it used to sit in the original house, and the house is now re-open to the public.

As a Southlander (1 member of this caching team!), I can remember many visits to the original house, and any visitors who came to stay with us had a compulsory trip down to Bluff to visit Fred and Myrtle at the Paua Shell House.

I have visited the exhibit, and have been amazed at how much attention to detail has gone into replicating the original house and displays.

To find the final cache, visit the house for yourself and answer these questions:

ABC = What are the numbers attached to the outside of the house?
D = How many deer are in the paua lounge room?
E = How many sea gulls are on the roof?
F = How many letters are in Fred and Myrtle's Surname?
6GH = How many kilometres to Bluff on the yellow Road sign?
IJ = What wedding anniversary did the couple celebrate in 1998?

The cache lies at the following co-ordinates, a short walk from the museum.

S43 QR.STU E172 VW.XYZ

Q=B-A
R=C-I
S=H-E
T=D+J
U=C+G
V=H/D
W=E+F
X=D+E
Y=B-E
Z=H*G

South check sum: 23, East check sum: 18

Additional Hints ()

Rnfg raq, haqre ebpx

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)