All of the caches start at the church where you need to find the answers to a couple of questions to allow you to find the final cache position, and none are intended to be particularly difficult (I would prefer you to find the caches) or are more than 1/2 a kilometre from the church.
This cache is the seventh in the series and is based at St. Bridgets church in the pretty village of Skenfrith. This village has it all really - it's attractive in itself but it is also by a pretty river (where people still bath in good weather) with an old bridge, it has a pub/restaurant, an occasional shop, a castle, great surroundings and of course an ancient church!
The church itself dates from the early 1200's and was founded by Hugh de Burgh - the same chap who was responsible for the large castle which dominates the small village (in itself worth visiting for). The chancel, nave and tower (with it's wooden lanterns so typical of this region) date from the initial build at this time with the porch and north/south aisle being constructed in the next couple of centuries. The church has undergone two larger refurbishments since then too, one in 1663 and one in 1901. Other work has been undertaken more recently through the 1970's, in 2006 and roof work has just been finished at the time of writing.
Of particular interest to the modern visitor is the wooden lanterns on the tower as mentioned, and the stone altar which was hidden in the floor for a while during the reformation to stop it from being damaged but is now returned to it's original spot. Look out for the ancient yew in the wall to the left of the main gates too.
The posted co-ordinates are for the main gate but the parking is at the castle just 50 yards away (waypoint below).
To find the whereabouts of the final cache location look for the answers to the questions below and replace the letters for the appropriate numbers in the co-ords at the bottom.
So here we go:
On entering the churchyard through the black metal gates just to the left is a bench dedicated to James E. Blakesley. Which year was he born? 19AB
The other side of the gate is a bench dedicated to a 'someone' Fay Forrest. But how many letter L's in her first name (look closely)? C
Now take a look at the porch. There is a stone carving in the wall above the main entrance near the apex. If it is of a bull then D=1, if it is a flower D=4, if it is a face D=6.
Take a look at the black metal gates you came through and count the numbers of circles in the design on the gates. The number of circles in one gate is E. The number of circles on both gates is F.
Now take a look at the lovely squat tower with it's wooden lanterns at the top. Just below the lanterns is a clock with gold roman numerals and a star design in the centre. But how many (unequal) diamonds make up the star? G
So replace your answers in this co-ord and go get the cache! Final position is N51° A(D-E).FAE W002° E(C+E).GBD
And that's it! Please walk to the cache though rather than drive - it really isn't far and there is nowhere to park closer.
This cache in the Monmouthshire Rural Churches series will probably be a bit tougher to find than the others (although I'm happy to be proved wrong!) due to the tree cover at the cache site and it's position at the location. The clue should really help a lot though but PLEASE don't go pulling undergrowth apart. When you find it take a look at the unusual tree trunk above. Oh, and look out for muggles - they have a habit of appearing from nowhere at the cache site and tuck the cache back in once finished.
The cache is a small-sized container.
Congratulations to Andicap for the First to Find (their 50th!)