The Plough roundabout is a infamous local landmark known fondly as the Magic roundabout. it confuses many who approach on how to use it, in fact on more than one occasion I've meet traffic on the wrong side of the road!
Despite its name, the Magic Roundabout is not actually a single roundabout, but a series of 6 mini-roundabouts around a central island. It was constructed in 1973 to reduce the congestion at the original standard layout roundabout where six roads intersected, it was one of the first bi-directional roundabouts to be constructed in the UK. At the junction of each road with the roundabout a mini-roundabout is present and subject to the normal clockwise direction of travel for all traffic. Between these mini-roundabouts however traffic is permitted to travel clockwise or anti-clockwise around the larger island, the expectation being that drivers would choose the shorter route with less stationary traffic. In this way, at most times, the traffic flows around the junction very efficiently.
To celebrate it's 40th year I thought I'd place a cache nearby and get fellow caches to appreciate this modern marvel from every direction! All you have to do is collect some numbers from around the roundabout, then use the following matrix to convert the numbers into a final set of coordinates. Simples!
N51° 44.ABC
W000° 28.XYZ
Like the roundabout it is possible to get all the numbers in either clockwise or anticlockwise order.
But walking instructions are written as if travelling in a clockwise order.
First at the end of the Marlowes go to N 51° 44.811 W 000° 28.390 being careful as you cross the road! Face North West and look up at the grey wall you'll see a VERY LARGE SIGN. How many letters make up the word? =A
Then cross the road, again being careful, and walk round to N 51° 44.802 W 000° 28.326 Face North you'll see a small grey electrical box and on that box is a white sign warning people of danger of death B40V.
Cross at the provide crossing points and again at Lawn Lane to N 51° 44.746 W 000° 28.367 Face South East you'll see a blue sign warning certain road users to do something.... C is number of letters in either word on blue sign.
Take a short walk up Two Waters road to the crossing point (safety first!) and go to N 51° 44.729 W 000° 28.402 Face West you'll see a lamp post with 3 numbers on it. X take first number away from second.
Walk to the underpass under Station Road and as you walk up the ramp to street level at N 51° 44.772 W 000° 28.450 Face West you'll see another lamp post this time with 4 numbers on it. Y is the second from top number.
Climb the stairs on your left to the plaza and cross the bridge over Leighton Buzzard Road to N51° 44.801 W000° 28.461 As you cross the bridge look North. What date was the bridge dedicated 200Z?
Remember your Green Cross Code and Happy Caching!
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
Congratulations to The Bongtwashes for FTF!