Pondering in Churchdown Park Multi-cache
ottergirl_fcl: Managed to get the old geoterrier along as far as GZ as to check on this today. You can get to GZ but the cache (a green bison hanging on fence) has gone. As the cache has now gone and this has not been a popular multi I will disable. Thanks to those that did it over the years. Hopefully people will still visit this lovely area while doing the ad lab.
Pondering in Churchdown Park
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A multi cache that takes you for a short walk from Churchdown Parish Council offices to the pond area.
In October 2011 the Churchdown Skate Park was completed. This is a fantastic venue for skaters and attracts visitors from far afield. A floodlit MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) was added, where ball games such as basketball, football and even cricket can be played! These were followed soon after by a BMX track at the side of the main playing field.
In the summer of 2012 a drainage system was installed under the playing fields of Churchdown Park. This empties into a series of small ponds and a larger balancing pond built at the far end of the field, which ultimately empties into Norman’s Brook beyond. Some of the ponds were planted with reeds for filtration, others had other pond vegetation such as bulrushes. Many dragonflies can be seen flitting over the ponds in the summer months. Around the pond enclosure, small trees have been planted, various benches have been added and there is a willow tunnel that small kids can crawl though. The playing field is popular with dog walkers but dogs must remain on short leads while in the fenced area surrounding the ponds and must not be allowed into the ponds. Every year there is a funfair and firework display held in the park on the Friday closest to the 5th of November.
The waypoints take you to the various stages of a multi cache, there are questions to answer along the way. The answers can be used to solve the following:-
Final = N 51° AB.CDE W 002° FG.HIJ
Start just outside the Parish Council office where there is a pyramid shaped commemorative stone
Point 1 – Commemorative Stone - N 51° 53.026 W 002° 10.220
There is a date on the plaque that commemorates when the 25 trees and 2 benches were donated. From this date:-
Take the number of the month away from the day of the month = H
The fourth digit of the year minus 1 = I
The third digit of the year plus 1 = J
Walk into the playing field and along the track to the fenced pond area.
Point 2 – Information Board - N 51 53.087 W 002 10.123
Immediately inside the fenced area you will find an information board which tells you the history of the ponds and describes some of the creatures you may see there. From the board:-
The number of birds shown on the whole board plus 1 = D
The number of spots on a chaser's wing minus 1 = E
Number of female newts in the drawing = F
Number of mammals shown in the drawing = G
Take a walk past the ponds on the right and continue left on the path all the way around the balancing pond until you reach a stone with a plaque to commemorate an award.
Point 3 – Stone with Plaque - N 51° 53.109 W 002° 10.085
The number of words around the outside upper edge of the plaque (between the spots) = A
The number of times the letter E appears in the long word along the bottom edge of the plaque = B
How many trees are shown on the plaque? = C
CHECKSUM = A + B + C +D + E + F + G + H + I + J = 30
Stealth is required at the final GZ. I recommend opening the cache and retreating to somewhere else to sign, then replace when the coast is clear. The final is close to a path used by lots of dog walkers and cyclists. Please take care to replace this cache carefully and tucked out of sight! Bring your own pen/pencil. Sorry it is not big enough for TBs or swaps. I will try to keep the brambles at bay in the summer!!!
There is plenty of car parking at the Churchdown Parish Council offices.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0oo Well Done to Kiting Klive for FTF 0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0oo
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Terra unatvat jnvfg urvtug