PLEASE NOTE
This cache is not located at the posted coordinates! In order to find this cache, you need to solve the puzzle included in the image below; you do not need to go to the location to solve the puzzle. When you think you have the solution, use the coordinate checker included with the listing on geocaching.com to confirm your answer. Do not attempt to find the cache at the coordinates currently listed, as you won't find it there!
Welcome to the Quest For The Golden Hare, a geocache inspired by the 1979 book "Masquerade" by Kit Williams. The book told the story of Jack Hare, who was tasked with carrying a treasure from the Moon to give to the Sun, only to find at the end that he had lost the treasure during his adventure. This story provided a backdrop for the reader to try and find a golden jeweled hare that was located somewhere in the real world, the location of which could be found by solving the puzzles hidden within the illustrations of the book. The contest was lucrative, but not entirely without scandal - I won't go into too much detail, but feel free to read the Wikipedia article in your own time. 😏 Meanwhile, this idea of a puzzle leading to a real-world treasure isn't too far removed from the concept of geocaching itself, is it? In fact, the site of the original treasure now hosts a cache in honour of the contest.
I'd been thinking about good ideas for a real-world hide-and-seek puzzle for a long time - longer than I've been a Geocacher - and when I stumbled across the history of "Masquerade" I knew it would make for an interesting idea. The odd coincidence of the location I've chosen as your starting place cemented the idea in my mind - you'll see what I mean when you get there!
The Puzzle
Once upon a time, I was going about my business when I received a notification on my mobile phone that a new geocache had been published in my area. I thought, "All right! I'm due for a new adventure!" So, next chance I got, I went out into the wilderness to try to find the new cache I'd heard about.
I wandered into a quiet area of a local park, a little off the beaten track, when I realised I could hear some voices. There was an odd quality to them though - they sounded very soft, and not quite human.
I moved closer, and realised that they were talking about the new cache - and to my surprise, they also turned out to be rabbits!
After a while, I felt it safe to introduce myself to them. Rabbits are typically nervous and timid animals that will run away from anything bigger than them - but these were not ordinary rabbits (remember, they could talk)! After exchanging pleasantries, I asked them if they knew where to find the cache.
They led me to a wooden sign with the coordinates painted on it, but written in code. The rabbits explained that they knew the answer to the code, but they couldn't... quite... remember what it was. I couldn't tell if they were being honest, but figured that since they were only rabbits, what need did they have to remember everything about a cache they had little use for?
It took me a little while to work out the numbers each letter on the sign stood for... and soon, I found the cache and collected the treasure! I made sure to say my thanks to the rabbits, with a promise to bring some fresh vegetables for them to munch on the next time we met. ("Just not radishes, they make me queasy!")
Going by the clues in the picture above, can YOU work out the location of the cache?
NOTES: This cache is located close to the posted coordinates, but may be located in an area away from the path. Please take care to avoid any dangerous animals and plants. There is no need to damage any plants or buildings or enter any private property. Stealth may be needed as the park is a very popular area at some times of the day.
Congratulations to Mummy Short Legs for being FTF and finding the Golden Rabbit!