GC1P4GF Liverpool John Lennon Airport Bug Box (Traditional Cache) in North West England, United Kingdom created by PhilPamandRob

This cache has been archived.

Sir PhilPamAndRob: Checked on the maintenance work and a very permanent fence has been erected - posts set un concrete etc.

The alternative route to the cache location is definitely unsuitable for people coming and going to the airport

So this one is being put to bed - PhilPamandRob

GC1P4GF ▼

A cache by PhilPamandRob Message this owner

Hidden : 3/25/2009

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (Originally Speke Airport) started scheduled flights in 1930 with a service to Croydon Airport in London. but was not "officially" opened until the summer of 1933. By the late 1930s, there was increasing demand for Irish Sea crossings, and a passenger terminal, control tower and two large aircraft hangars were built.

During World War II, the airport was taken over by the Royal Air Force and known as RAF Speke. Many planes were manufactured close to here, and those shipped from America were assembled nearby. On 8 October 1940, Speke was witness to what is thought to be the fastest air to air combat "kill" in the Battle of Britain and possibly of all time. Flight Lieutenant Denys Gillam took off in his Hawker Hurricane from Speke to be confronted by a Junkers 88 passing across him. As his undercarriage was still retracting he shot the Junkers down.

After the war ended, civil airline operations resumed on a normal and passengers numbers continued to increase, and it wasn’t until 1949 that Manchester Airport overtook Speke as the main airport in the North West of England. The airport continued to grow and in 1966, a new 7,500 ft (2,286 m) runway was opened by Prince Philip on a new site to the southeast of the existing airfield.

The new passenger terminal, adjacent to this runway was opened in 1986, and this was followed by the closure of the original 1930s building. The original terminal building was left derelict until it was renovated and adapted to become a hotel. Further expansions of the terminal building took place between 2000-2002, and on completion it was renamed in honour of John Lennon. The airport continues to grow, and in 2007 catered for over 5 million passengers.

The cache was relocated about 20m away after being muggled in July 08. Its now a simple snap'n'lok box. Please label travellers with their destinations before dropping them off. the new location is more concealed and the box well hidden (you'll probably need the hint), so please ensure it stays this way! I've upped the terrain a point as its now off the path and you need to be careful of brambles & nettles (but they are not at the cache location)

You can park very near to the cache (see waypoint) on the side of the road leading to Speke Hall. This is one of the closest locations to the airport that doesn’t have yellow lines, and is often used by cars when waiting for passengers to arrive at the airport. There is no need to go through the gates to Speke Hall – the cache is outside this National Trust estate. As you walk up the path look for the track entering the trees at the listed waypoint. Its then forward and right.

Please be vigilant at all times and watch out for muggles. Also ensure the cache is well hidden afterwards

15th June 2010 - Cache removed owing to construction work. Will monitor situation and replace asap,

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Svaq gur cvar nepujnl naq ybbx va gur L jurer vg ernpurf gur tebhaq.

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)