Albert Park House / AFWT Serie #8 Multi-cache

THE MULTI CACHE

This multi-cache will only take you around 15 minutes to complete it. You will have to solve a few short but fun puzzles within 200 meters, until you can claim this cache. No need to be counting things or stuff like that to get coordinates or so. This multi is about the fun of searching and interacting with the elements around you.

At the given coordinates you will have to find the first container with all the instrucctions for the next steps (The coordinates indicate the top of the bridge). Bring a pen and some paper to take notes (or your smartphone), as from this location onwards you will have to interact with elements around the area, until you will have all the necessary information to claim this short but funny multi-cache. Hint for the first clue: pull the thread.

As previous geocachers have guess the combination number for the last stage is the one you can see at the Step 3 resting 1. Take that in mind

WARNING for the STEP 3:In order to pull the tool out, just move it back to the initial position (the 3 o'clock position) and gently pull it out easily.

HAPPY HUNTING!!

HISTORY OF THE ALBERT PARK HOUSE

We are now at the top of the old maori RANGIPUKE (Rangi meaning Sky and Puke Hill - The Hill of the Skies). A privilege location in town from where to spot all the surrounding areas, and be prepared just in case anybody has the will to attack your location. By 1847 the construction of the Albert Barracks, the largest British military fortification in New Zealand, was underway.

Following a decision of the Colonial Government in 1870 to abandon the barracks, 15 acres of the land was set aside as a ground for recreation and amusement, and the Albert park was meant to be created in the Auckland Center. This occurred as the surrounding area became a focus for the construction of prestigious housing for the 'new rich of the time', mainly merchant families, as the bussines of trading was going really well.

The lodge erected as a residence for the park-keeper in charge of Albert Park, was built in 1882, at the same time as the park was laid out, showing that the City Council was determined to make their officials comfortable.

The ‘carpenter gothic’ cottage was designed by Auckland architect Henry Greensmith Wade and built by Wrigley and Hancock. It comprises a parlour, two bedrooms, kitchen, pantry and scullery and was, until, perhaps twenty years ago, graced by two elegant, moulded clay chimney pots of neo-Elizabethan design, probably sourced from a standard Victorian builders’ supply catalogue of the mid-nineteenth century.

Unfortunately these distinctive pots disappeared from the house, still not clarify whether they were deliberately removed for safe-keeping or, perhaps stolen in a prank by students of the nearby Auckland university; I suspect the latter.