Cockey Panda Multi-Cache
Mr_Man1968: Sadly I have decided to archive this cache due to irresponsible behaviour by local youths. Apologies to those who visited, favourited or commented on this cache. It was a fun experience.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This walk will take you from the local village pub past Burroughs Hill towards the Laverstock Downs, location of the famous Laverstock Panda of 1969, providing stunning views over Salisbury and the surrounding countryside. After finding the cache, why not carry on to visit the nearby Cockey Down SSSI, an area of natural chalk downland renowned for its rare plants, wildlife and archaeological interest? Sturdy shoes are required and the terrain can be quite steep, and bring a pen and notebook!
The published co-ordinates are those for car park 1 - the first clues can be found near here. Head up the bridle path beside car park 1, A=the total number of metal rings at the “hitching post”. [Some of these have recently been moved, so look both sides of the fence!] B=the number of buttons on the duck’s waistcoat. Continue along the bridle path through the woods to the metal kissing gate (kissing gate 1). Note the first telephone number for “CENTREWIRE” CD5B8 EFA55G.
Through this kissing gate walk along the path towards the kissing gate 2 at: -
N 51° 0G.A(B-D)C W 001° GF.(A+B)CE
For a slightly shorter walk you may park at the village shop car park (car park 2) at N 51° 04.723 W 001° 46.336 and walk up the track beside St. Andrew’s School which heads straight to kissing gate 2. For both routes note the first telephone number for “CENTREWIRE” (at both kissing gates) as above.
The cache is located at: -
N 51° 0G.(A+B)FD W 001° GF.ECG
From here, known locally as High Beeches, there are spectacular views southwest towards the city of Salisbury, and west towards Old Sarum. You can also see Old Sarum Airfield in the northwest and Boscombe Down Airfield in the distance. This hill is famous for the Laverstock Panda, carved into the chalk by university students as a prank in 1969, now largely overgrown but still just visible in Google Earth. From here you can retrace your steps or head down the hill through the school playing fields into the village of Laverstock. Alternatively continue your walk northwards towards Cockey Down, a SSSI and an area of natural chalk downland, famous for its rare orchids and medieval field system – the shadows cast by the boundaries to these fields (lynchets) can clearly be seen in the early morning and evening.
The cache comprises a small plastic container containing small swaps, a log book and pencil, large enough for small items and travel bugs. Once found please hide carefully as this area is popular with local residents and dog walkers.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre byq gerr fghzc oruvaq ubyyl ohfu
Treasures
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