The Black Hole of Ardley Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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A shortish ramble on lightly used and poorly maintained public footpaths in Oxfordshire offering some nice views.
In the early 20th century the Great Western Railway was under pressure to construct a shorter route from London to Birmingham, and in 1905 obtained parliamentary powers to construct an 18¼ mile railway line linking existing lines at Aynho and Ashendon. Major engineering feats included two large brick viaducts at Souldern and the nearby 1147 yards long Ardley Tunnel. The brick lined tunnel was completed in 1½ years, which was quick for the period, and the new line when opened in 1910, shaved 22 minutes off the previous best time between the two cities, the distance now being 18½ miles shorter. The GWR was now able to offer competition to the London & North Western Railway route from Euston to Birmingham! 98 years later, Virgin Trains and Chiltern Railways are still competing with each other on their respective routes. A medium sized metal ammo box (with a very tight lid)containing all the usual stuff is your goal today. Depending from where you start your hunt, you will be walking on very lightly used footpaths, so thick trousers and arm protection is recommended during the summer. Nettles abound, and so does the wildlife which feeds in and amongst them. The co-ords given are of the cache site and there are also some nice views to the northwest to be had. The cache is located in a small area of coniferous woodland not far from the path – if you can call it one! The GPS fix wasn’t brilliant, but I’m hoping with the various clues I’ve given you, you will be able to locate the cache.Oh! by the way, you won’t actually see the “Black Hole”, you’ll be almost on top of it, but for those of you who would like to see it – here’s the southern end of it.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ragre gur jbbq sebz cbvag jurer gur SC fgnegf gb tb ebhaq naq bire gur ghaary zbhgu. Urnq A va gur jbbq jvgu jver srapr ba lbhe evtug sbe n srj lneqf. Abj guvax "zbff pbirerq ybtf"!
Treasures
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