The co-ords above are
for the main entrance, but I suggest you park at the
co-ordinates for A Good
Walk Spoilt which is also the most sensible place to start
your walk.
First of all I must admit
that I don’t play golf, never have done and never will. So forget
the invitation in the name of this cache; I’m more inclined to the
view expressed in the name of the partner cache, a quote attributed
to Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known to most of us as Mark
Twain. Sensible fellow, Sam.
The Oxfordshire is sometime
venue of the Benson & Hedges International Open, The Wilkinson
Sword Ladies’ English Open and The Mobile Cup European Seniors
Tour. I imagine golf courses are normally pretty sterile when it
comes to wildlife, but on the man made lakes here you’ll find a
pleasing variety of waterfowl, including a pair of resident black
swans.
All the sites you’ll need
to visit are on or within a couple of meters of public footpaths,
which once on the course itself are mainly hard surfaced. Please
keep to the marked footpaths. I’m not sure of the etiquette when
walking on a golf course with a dog, but if you bring yours please
keep it under very close control if not actually on a lead. Please,
no bicycles.
When I’ve visited I found
the staff (groundsmen, green-keepers, whatever) unfailingly
cheerful. The golfers themselves either ignored me completely or
regarded me with pure venom, but not one spoke to me. If you’re
anything like me you’ll be made to feel like an intruder, but if
you stick to the public footpaths nobody should have any cause for
complaint. If you don’t have a current map showing rights of way
there is one at image 1.
On your walk you’ll need to
collect some information and find a couple of micros. You will then
have to sort out what information refers to which cache. You’ll
also need to make some notes and do some calculations, so please
bring pen and paper. Sounds complicated? Maybe, but it’s really not
that difficult. And far more entertaining than whacking seven bales
out of a small white spherical object. Be aware that if you intend
to night cache you may have a problem at locations 5 and
6.
Location 1 N 51°
44.021 W 01°
00.176
Here you will find a row of
numbers, a row of letters, a single number and a single letter.
Make a note of the
missing numbers and letters, and the two odd singles below
them (total of 4 letters and 4 numbers)
Location 2 N 51°
43.910 W 01°
00.382
Here you will need to find
a micro 1 with further instructions.
Location 3 N 51°
43.647 W 01°
00.816
Here you will find an
embossed four digit number. Make a note.
Location 4 N 51°
43.535 W 01°
01.086
What is the make of the
padlock? Make a note of the name (6 letters)
Location 5 N 51°
43.686 W 01°
01.074
How many flag poles? Make a
note.
Location 6 N 51°
43.797 W 01°
01.143
How many pairs of supports
under the bridge?
Location 7 N 51°
43.903 W 01°
01.241
How many stylised oak
leaves?
Location 8 N 51°
44.061 W 01°
01.101
Whose product is this
irrigation control valve cover? Make a note of the name (6
letters)
Location 9 N 51°
44.118 W 01°
00.819
On the sea front
promenade-type shelter, how many rainwater down pipes?
Location 10 N 51°
43.962 W 01°
00.927
Just to prove I’m not a
complete philistine when it comes to golf, I’ll throw in a golf
related question. Here you should find yourself near the tee for
the 11th. What par is it?
Location 11 N 51°
43.880 W 01°
00.653
Including the inner and
outer, how many concentric circles?
Location 12 N 51°
43.775 W 01°
00.592
How are the mighty fallen!
Who made his mark here? (3 letters) Please note I am looking for
three initials, not a three letter first name and a single initial
– for clarity the initials are repeated on the top of a nearby gate
post.
You’ve now collected all
the information you need, and shortly you should also have the
means to find your way to the final cache. Please note that from
this point on you need to be on the track outside the perimeter hedge
and fence.
The cache is a small camouflaged ammo box, and
originally containedthe log
book with pen and pencil, a few other goodies and a
TB
Other nearby caches are Dan’s Ring Around Rycote and my
own Thame Town Teaser