Related Web Page
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This virtual multi-cache, six intermediate points providing clues to an ingenious target, starts and finishes in the centre of Durham City, currently a geocache desert!
It incorporates a fascinating route through the oldest parts of the city, along with two separate delightful riverbank explorations. Some parts of this walk are steep, and others may be muddy in wet weather. Three to five miles. Online system rates it 3/3. That seems a bit high.
It is very strongly recommended that the six initial points are found in alphabetical order, to benefit most from the interesting route, and to limit an area of poor GPS reception. Durham City is inside a loop of the River Wear, and is nine tenths surrounded by it. Following the route in any other order may make it difficult to cross the river when necessary.
We designed this to thank Postie for taking us geocaching outside Durham City. He subsequently tested it for us.
Start anywhere in the city cemtre.
Point A N54°46.5060' W001°34.5820'. At this place subtract chevrons from lions rampant. This number is value A. After point A, you are near a large open area. Leave this area by the diagonally opposite corner, near two different cows, one high up, one low.
Go on to point B, N54°46.2660' W001°34.7640' by the easiest route. At this place how many passing places are there on each side? This number is value B.
Go on to point C, N54°46.5610' W001°34.6830' keeping the river on your right. How much wider is this place than 'last century'? Round the answer down (to the previous whole metre) and double that figure. This is value C. After point C walk 60 yards SE and go through a narrow opening in the wall under a plaque. You may lose GPS coverage at this point. Don't worry!! Follow this path up and onwards, ignoring a turning to the left. You will eventually come out into a street. Turn right and go on for 35 yards. Go through another hole in the wall under a plaque on your left and descend steeply. At the bottom you should wait until you have adequate GPS coverage.
Go to point D, N54°46.5580' W001°34.4140'. This place has less arches than when it was originally built. How many are missing? This is value D. (Note, July 2015. I have chosen to add this picture in July 2015 after a couple of reports that the plaque was missing . This lead to us getting a "Maintenance needed" warning. As we do not live near Durham, it is unlikely that we will ever be able to change the clue, and the feedback over the last 13 years has been so good, we wanted to make sure that it wasn't archived. Therefore, please look at the picture dated July 7th, 2015 in Gallery Images, for the clue, until the plaque is replaced.
Go to point E, N54°46.1420' W001°33.5350', again keeping the river on your right. At this place add girders to guy ropes. This is value E.
Then Go to point F, N54°46.5210' W001°33.7490', again keeping the river on your right. At this place count the letters in the month and add one. This is value F. Beware of the bull!
If you failed to find point D, now is a good time to try for it again. You should now have the coordinates for the target, N54°46.EAB, W001°3C.FD3.
Update, 2011, the original target, a small cobbled area 6-8 feet across, marking the old 'pant' or village well-head, has been lost following redesign work to the surrounding area. To claim this cache, send us a convincing description of the area you have reached.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Guvf svefg yvar vf whfg gb naabl lbh! Lbh fubhyq abj or va gur byq znexrg fdhner. Jryy qbar!!