For this cache you will need a mobile phone with a data connection and a web browser. It is a multi-cache - as you answer each question, you are presented with the next waypoint.
You start here http://www.amberel.com/Isabella.html.
The web pages are designed for display on small screens - the maximum width is 222 pixels. In case you are not on an unlimited data tarriff, and to help you calculate the charges, the entire cache should require a quarter of a megabyte of data or less.
In general, the images on the web pages relate to the waypoint you are visiting, but on a few there are photographs of the spring flowers in the plantation. There is no special significance to these photographs.
The co-ordinates above are for the car park near Kingston Gate. Parking is free. You will find the first stage not far away, at the edge of the car park.
You should allow one and a half to two hours for the cache.
There are public conveniences in the Isabella Plantation, though one of them is not open in winter.
There is often an ice-cream van in the car park. Refreshments are available in the park, at Pembroke Lodge towards Richmond Gate, and in the car park halfway towards Robin Hood Gate.
The park is closed at night.
Dogs are permitted in the park, but in places (including the Isabella Plantation) must be on short leads.
Cycling is permitted on roads and designated paths, and there is a cycle path round most of the perimiter. The cache is mainly intended for walking, but much of it can be cycled. Riding a cycle is not permitted in the Isabella Plantation. You are permitted to push your cycle round. Alternatively, you enter the plantation at stage 4 and leave it again at stage 9, and these gates are not far apart. The exit gate has cycle racks where bikes can be padlocked. Cyclists may consider going from stage 3 to stage 9 at N51 26.028 W000 16.886, then walking stages 4 to 9.
If you plan to do this cache, feel free to email me beforehand for my mobile number, or even email me from the cache if you get stuck - if I'm working at home, which frequently I am, I'll probably get the email within 15 minutes.
Web browser issues: The web pages are tested with Internet Explorer and FireFox on a PC, and display fine. However, it is how they display on mobile phones which is more important.
On Pocket Internet Explorer under Windows Mobile, they display well, but occasionally I find that when I tap the text input box, the keyboard is displayed (as it should) but then disappears again. To get it to work, I have to tap outside the input box, scroll the screen and tap inside the input box again. I assume this is a bug in PIE and there is nothing I can do about it.
As far as I know I have resolved all issues with iPhone and Blackberry browsers.
I would also be pleased to hear of the results on any other phone.
Any feedback on the concept, whether you do the cache or not, would be welcome.
Summary:
| Nice walk? |
Yes, a lovely walk of about 3 miles over varied terrain. |
| Great views? |
Beautiful gardens, open grassland, woods, lakes and streams. |
| Interesting location? |
Yes. |
| One of a series? |
Yes - see Virginia Water. |
| Cache trail? |
No. |
| Unusual hide? |
No. |
| Cache and Dash? |
No. |
| Size? |
Small. |