Sonning Stroll (or cycle!) Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

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 Please note that as this cache has now been archived by a reviewer or HQ staff it will NOT be unarchived.

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Regards

Ed
Professor Xavier - Volunteer UK Reviewer
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Hidden : 6/12/2011
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Nice stroll along the Thames from Sonning or TVP. Or you can cycle like we did!

You are looking for a cylindrical container about 13cm (5 in) long and 5cm (2 in) diameter. Covered in brown gaffer tape to disguise it! Please hide so it can't be seen from the path.

This is our first cache placed - hope you enjoy it!

The nearest place of interest is Sonning Lock.

A weir at Sonning is recorded as belonging to the Blunte family in the 15th century. This was associated with the mill and fisheries and mention is made of a "Locke-heise" at this time. The flash lock was replaced in 1773 by the pound lock. This was the highest upstream of the eight locks constructed after the navigation act of 1770. It was commissioned in 1771 but took two years to build. Fir wood was originally used for these locks, but this decayed very quickly and was replaced at Sonning by oak in 1787. Repairs took place in 1827 when the old flash lock was brought back temporarily into use. By this time a lock house had been built.

The lock-keeper from 1845 to 1878 was James Sadler, a poet and beekeeper. He wrote verses about the river and about bees, and is credited with the invention of the Berkshire hive. One of his works The Thames from Oxford to Windsor is a rhymed list of the locks, bridges and towns.

The lock was rebuilt in 1868. The weirs were reconstructed in 1898 and further rebuilding of the lock occurred in 1905

"The floral tastes of the lock-keeper generally make Sonning Lock very bright and gay."

— Charles Dickens (1882)

Is there a spot more lovely than the rest,
By art improved, by nature truly blest?
A noble river at its base running,
It is a little village known as Sonning.

— James Sadler (1845–1885), Sonning lock keeper

Additional Hints ()

Orgjrra gur gjb fznyy oevqtrf. Nobhg 2 zrgerf bss gur cngu njnl sebz gur evire. Orgjrra gur gehaxf bs n gjb-gehaxrq gerr. Cyrnfr uvqr fb vg pna'g or frra sebz gur cngu.

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)

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