We decided to place a cache in this area because it really is a hidden gem! Shoni is listed in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is described an area of land that has been notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) because it contains wildlife, geological or landform features that are considered to be of special importance.
Shoni in the past (Date Unknown)
Shoni now (2012)
See the Gallery for more pictures of this area.
As for the cache...It is a simple 3 stage multi-cache leading you deeper into the area know as Shoni. Once you work out the co-ordinates for the real cache, stage 3, follow the path until you are in line with the cache and then make your way up the steep bank (which isn't really suitable for kids). When I placed the cache the GPS devise was only giving me 8 meters of accuracy because of the tree cover so if you are really struggling to find the cache then the hint it pretty helpful.
At the listed co-ordinates, stage 1, will you find a bright orange sign that states what you are not allowed to do in both English and Welsh.
Here you will need to use the first four sentences starting with "No..." to calculate the coordinates for stage 2.
N 51° 35.ABC W 003° 21.DEF where:
A =(Number of letters in 2nd word in the 4th sentence) – (Number of words in 2nd sentence)
B = ((Number of letters in 4th word in the 1st sentence) – (Number of words in 3rd sentence)) / (Number of letters in 1st word in the 4th sentence)
C = (Number of words in 1st sentence) + (Number of letters in 4th word in the 3rd sentence) / (Number of letters in 3rd word in the 1st sentence)
D = ((No of words in 1st sentence) + (No of words in 2nd sentence)) – (Number of letters in 4th word in the 2nd sentence)
E = (Number of letters in 2nd word in the 1st sentence) + (Number of words in 4th sentence)
F = (Number of letters in 1st word in the 3rd sentence) / (Number of letters in the 1st word in the 2nd sentence)
Once here at stage two, take a seat and set your gps unit to stage 3 co-ordinates
N 51° 35.GHJ W 003° 21.KKL where:
G: Number of stone slabs in the first line that stand upright in the weir
H: Number of horizontal bars on the gate
J: Number of benches
K: H + J – G
L: G + J
Once you reach the final stage there is a small plastic box that contains a log book, pencil, plus the initial swaps are a pink Paul Frank mini notebook, RSPCA badge, happy birthday balloon, pink key holder key ring and wooden Geocoin (not trackable).