Some geocaches are quick and easy to find, while others require more work to achieve that all-important smiley! This three-stage puzzle cache is definitely in the latter category. It isn't especially difficult but won't be solved in only a few minutes either and will involve a visit to the listed coordinates.
Stage 1
The listed coordinates for this geocache will take you to The Moor, a pedestrianised shopping street in the heart of Sheffield. The street was originally named Sheffield Moor, then in the early nineteenth century was renamed South Street, but was again renamed in order to avoid confusion with a South Street near Hyde Park. The shops along it were rebuilt in the 1950s following damage in the Second World War, and it was pedestrianised in 1979. The Moor Market opened in November 2013 on the corner of The Moor and Earl Street, replacing Castle Market in the Castlegate area which closed on the same weekend.
To solve the first stage of this puzzle, you need to look around at the street furniture and work out which word in each of the following passages is wrong. The correct word is the one you need to make a note of. Here goes:
A. Nuclear reactors, nose-studs, skyscrapers
B. Beer kegs, aeroplanes, Saturn V rockets
C. Blossoming in the distance, blue brilliant bars
D. Our very knives and forks attest and mime in unison
E. But here, here lies her beating heart
F. Gardeners, grinders 'n' greenhouse vendors
G. And the angels of cardamom, ginger and turmeric flew in from the east
H. Lost lingos of swarming and teeming
Stage 2
Now you need to find these eight words in this word search grid. It's not the easiest of word searches so take your time. The words may be arranged forwards or backwards and may go in any direction. Each word changes direction once about half way through.
Stage 3
Once you're at stage 3, well done! Now all you have to do is translate the words in the word search into numbers. Each word, A through to H, represents one number. You may find the hint helpful in working out how to do this - it's quite simple once you see how!
Now, simply substitute the letters in these coordinates for numbers and go and find the actual geocache, which is about five to ten minutes' walk from The Moor.
N53 2A.BCD W001 2E.FGH
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.
The cache is hidden in a very busy place, so please be as stealthy as possible and replace carefully as found. Good luck and happy caching!
Many congratulations to The Gom Squad for yet another FTF, and also to Zero+1 who came a very close and valiant second!