The Crossways Mystery Traditional Cache
Professor Xavier: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it. Please note that as this cache has now been archived by a reviewer or HQ staff it will NOT be unarchived.
Regards
Ed
Professor Xavier - Volunteer UK Reviewer
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This cache is in the New Forest. It is a flat walk from nearby roads and 5-10 mins depending on where you start.
Crossways for those who enter the New Forest from Bransgore, is where they feel they have entered the forest proper. The National Park sign and the cattle grid are behind them, they pass over the crossroads and the road drops away and a vista of the forest opens up before them. At the cross-roads they could have turned left to Avon Tyrrell Activity Centre, once the home of Lord Manners, or turned right to Holmsley and its two caravan and camp sites.
Crossways also marks the end of Thorney Hill, a hamlet of Bransgore parish. No houses are on the forest side until Burley several miles north.
Which leads to the Mystery. Well mystery to us. The geocache is hidden next to what looks like the sight of a house, or at least a building, on the ‘wrong’ side of Crossways. There are stones, bricks, slabs, yew trees, an apple tree and some very distinct shapes with sharp corners when you look at the satellite photo on GoogleEarth. Some years ago you could see the stones of the foundations clearly. Yet nothing appears on local maps of 1872, 1898, 1910 and 1961.
Could it be something to do with the brick industry that was active here, with many kilns in Thorney Hill, Bransgore and Burley providing bricks to the growing Bournemouth? Could it be a home? Could it be something to do with the war and the nearby airfield at Holmsley? I once thought it was the school but that’s in School Lane... Have a look around and see what you think.
Please give consideration that the geocache is within the New Forest National Park and has been placed in accordance with the agreement between GAGB and the Forestry Commission. When you park, access gates must be left clear. This cache can only be done during daylight. If you take your dog along with you keep it under control as there are roaming ponies and cattle. Take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints, except in the geocache of course!
Motorised wheelchairs and buggies might make it to the mystery site if they can manage slightly uneven ground but will probably not be able to get to the geocache. Watch where you put your feet as horses use this area regularly (I’ll say no more).
If you approach from the SW, don’t miss out on the vista by not walking another 5 minutes E on the well-trodden footpath that starts across the grassy area.
This was our first geocache and was the idea of our youngest member.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybbx sbe n ubyyl gung unf snyyra va gur cnfg fb unf n gehax nyzbfg ynlvat ba gur tebhaq. Bar bs gur hcevtug oenapurf unf fpnef bs xavsr znexf. Haqre gur trbfgvpx cnenyyry gb gur gehax. Pbire vg hc ntnva cyrnfr.