Heading into the woods at night can be hazardous and it is probably best not to do it alone.
If you need me to warn you about getting lost, falling into rabbit holes, tripping over logs, being scratched by brambles, poked in the eye by branches or eaten by wolves then this journey is not for you. If you are still intent on going please be aware that all of the above, with the possible exception of the wolves, may present themselves, please take your time and point your torch where you are just about to put your feet and look out for your eyes and head.
Please also remember that it can be quite tricky to get a reliable GPS fix under tree cover. Mostly you will be following reasonably clear paths but eventually you go into the rough, depending upon the time of year it may be too rough and impassable. It works particularly well when there aren’t too many leaves and the bracken and brambles are in slumber. There are less bears around at this time of year too.
Take more than one torch with you, it is VERY dark in these woods after the sun has gone down and you can very quickly become disorientated. You don’t need a hugely powerful torch, the reflectors are surprisingly efficient, just make sure the source of light is as near to your eyeline as you can get it, a headtorch is ideal. I even tested the route using one of those keyring type LED things and, although feint, it’s visible. Mind you, it wasn’t good enough for navigating the undergrowth.
There is no marked path to return so you are responsible for your safe return.
Okay, let’s go caching! Start at the listed coordinates, unfortunately, you can no longer park your car here. I'm afraid you'll have to find safe parking and head towards the start on foot.
There’s a path into the wood, look in the trees for a white reflector pretty much straight ahead. Most of the reflectors are above head height and when you are within a few feet of each marker you should be able to see the next.
This is a wood, so if you can’t see the next one move around a little in case it’s hidden from view by foliage. Make sure to check side to side as there are a few twists and turns, it’s not all straight ahead.
After several markers you will find yourself heading off-road, to your right. Pick your way carefully, you may not be able to get directly to the marker.
When you see two green markers, continue toward them moving left or right to align them and keep an eye out for a matching red pair over to one side. Keeping the greens aligned, when the reds are in line as well, you are there.
Many people have been confused by the alignment thing, I first read about it in Swallows and Amazons when I was a lad, I assumed everyone knew about it, have a look at this image, it explains it well: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/File:APN2002-figure502.jpg
The cache is intended to be well hidden during the day but using the equipment that has brought you this far should help you to locate it. Please be careful to make sure that it is well hidden afterwards and not visible for daylight wanderers. It should not be on the ground!
If you haven’t a GPS trail of breadcrumbs you can continue a few metres beyond the green markers until you find a path. Head right and after a while, when you meet a bigger path, head right again. This should eventually bring you back to the road alongside which you parked. Alternatively, take Eusty’s advice and wait until morning!
Congratulations to Para1944 for a very swift ftf on a very windy night.
This cache is placed with the kind permission of The Sandringham Estate. Please ensure that you leave these woods as clean, or cleaner, than you found them.