Due to being happily stranded on my island for some time....this cache is being re-submitted much later than anticipated! Apologies Madiba! Mandela gave up nearly 30 years of his life in prison for the struggle for Freedom in South Africa, in addition to the time spent being actively involved in the anti-apartheid struggle beforehand, and left prison at the age of 71....to continue the struggle, as president of South Africa. What a man.
The cache is placed in the vicinity of several badger sets in the woodlands and surrounding area of Aden Country Park near Old Deer....badgers could never be involved in apartheid! Approach the woodland by turning left onto the minor road heading towards Mintlaw (Nether Aden Road), just leaving the village of Old Deer. Just after the bridge, the park can be entered via the 'Twin Lodges', and after a short walk through mature coniferous woodland, turn right taking a track leading up hill, parallel with Nether Aden Road. Again, after only a short distance on the tarmac track, two badger (or a joint) sets can be seen on the right hand side (opposite two granite boulders). If you are lucky, as I was a couple of years ago on the eve of the summer solstice, you may even see one...I came face to face with a beautiful badger completely unexpectedly, after hearing noises under the ground...
From here, carry on up the footpath through young deciduous woodland mainly of hawthorn, birch, elder, and beech trees.
An alternative entry can be made further along Nether Aden Road, just after the bend in the road there is space to park and entry through a wooden gate. There is a picnic table also at this scenic spot, with views across the rolling hills surrounding Stuartfield and old Deer. Continue further still along the footpath, passing yet another spot for a picnic by the roadside. Eventually the path forks; turn left, following the forestry track towards Hareshowe Farmhouse. After a short distance, the cache is located on the left hand side of track, over looking a field. As I was busy hiding this cache, I was being closely watched by a robin, and as it was evening, barn owls could be heard in the woods, and several wind turbines were silhouetted against the sunset.
Do not disturb badger sets in any way - they are protected by law.
The cache is a medium sized plastic container, containing several items of South African / Mandela memorabilia.
From here, the park can be exited via a grassy track after retracing your steps, and through a through a wooden gate way, or continue on this track to Hareshowe Farmhouse, which was PHYSICALLY moved, stone by stone, from another location! Many other woodland walks can be enjoyed, as well as Aden Country park itself where there is a museum dedicated to farming in Aberdeenshire, with a cafe, and an old farm house museum. If the main track (before turning left) is followed, it leads all the way to Mintlaw.
The cache may also be reached directly from Nether Aden road, where there is a layby on the right, if travelling by vehicle, or as mentioned from one of the other picnic spots along the road.
Please take care to hide the cache away again carefully. Thanks.