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Explore Dunmore - Crossed Phone Lines Mystery Cache

Hidden : 5/3/2026
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:


The cache is not at the published coordinates

Solve the puzzle below to find it

The Murray family lived on the Dunmore Estate for 150 years, and by the time the 5th Earl of Dunmore had finished building Dunmore Park House in the 1820s, the House had every amenity you could think of. As technology developed into the early 20th Century, Country Houses like Dunmore Park typically had a ' Butler's Pantry Switchboard' - their own internal telephone system.

These Private Manual Branch Exchanges (PMBXs) connected the various out buildings and parts of the 'big house'. It was typically located in the Butler's Pantry and to make an external call you lifted the receiver and the house operator (usually the footman) would connect you.

1    DOWN:    A particular manner or flair; or, what a fashionista has in abundance!

2    DOWN:    To pull with effort, or a large amount of loot

3    ACROSS:  To cover with a thin protective layer

4    ACROSS:  Closing off tightly; or, what a notary might do to a document

4    DOWN:    One who trades goods for cash; not a buyer

5    DOWN:    Large in number, size or degree, impressive

6    ACROSS:  A minor imperfection or blemish that might lower value 

7    ACROSS:  Physical suffering due to illness or injury

8    ACROSS:  Gazes fixedly or vacantly; looks that might make one feel self-conscious

8    DOWN:   Having the flavor of sugar; or, a common term of endearment

9    DOWN:   Short for a word meaning to make things work in perfect timing

10  ACROSS: A person's manner of walking; or, a horse's specific pace

11  ACROSS:  A stone or metal platform beside or projecting into water, for loading ships 

The cache can be found at N56 05. UVW  W003 47.XYZ

U =  1 Down: number of ‘Y’s, plus 2 Down: number of ‘U’s.

V =  3 Across: number of ‘A’s, plus 4 Across: number of ‘C’s.

W =  4 Across: number ‘F’s, plus 4 Down: number of ‘C’s

X =  5 Down: number of vowels, plus 6 Across: number of vowels

Y  = 7 Across: number of ‘I’s, plus 8 Across: number of vowels, plus 8 Down: number of vowels

Z =  9 Down: number of vowels, plus 10 Across: number of ‘E’s, plus 11 Across: number of ‘A’s

 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Chmmyr: Pnershy, bar bs gurfr nafjref vf abg yvxr gur bguref. Pnpur: Vafvqr jver ghaary

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)