Zero in on Halley Traditional Cache
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This nano-cache is located near the final resting place of Astronomer Royal and top boffin, Edmond Halley. It’s a good bet that dear old Edmond would have loved the idea of GSP and geocaching, so enjoy this urban nano and pay tribute to his starry genius. Photos in logs very welcome.
FULL DETAILS: Of course you know about Halley and his comet, but did you also know that Edmond Halley: Demonstrated a diving bell in the Thames? Discovered the proper motion of stars? Became the second Astronomer Royal (1720 – 1742)? Made the first catalogue of stars of the southern hemisphere? By happy, happy coincidence (or is it???) Edmond’s grave and this tribute cache lay on the meridian line E 000’ 00.000.
On Foot: If you’re walking in the area and have just found ‘The Gates of Greenwich’ series then why not walk across the heath to Zero in on Halley? Simply head south across the open heath to N 51’ 28.057 W 000’ 00.092 then follow the little lane south until you’re within a stone’s throw of the cache and Halley’s grave.
If you’re thirsty afterwards then either head east into the delights of Blackheath Village (pubs and food), or go to the nearby Dacre Arms less then five minutes away. To find the Dacre Arms go to N 51’ 27.725 E 000’ 00.131 and follow the passage south all the way to the lovely local pub.
Muggle Warning: The cache is on an urban street so care is needed that muggles do not spot you or the cache. Particular warnings for Sunday morning when the church is busy, and school leaving time (3:30p.m.) when the area is swarming with kids in term time. Please make sure that the cache is unspotted and well hidden before you leave. Halley’s Grave: If you want to see Halley’s actual tomb then it’s located in the churchyard to the north side of the road at N 51’ 27.798 E 000’ 00.018. His original tombstone was moved in 1854 and placed in the courtyard of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park. The replacement in the graveyard fell into disrepair again over the century that followed, but was restored in the mid-90s by volunteers. The churchyard is public access and if the gate is locked you can get the key from the vicarage across the road to the north. This little churchyard is in fact the resting place of no fewer than three Astronomers Royal: Edmond Halley (1656-1742); Nathaniel Bliss (1700-1764), Astronomer Royal from 1762-1764 buried in an unmarked grave; and John Pond (1767-1836) Astronomer Royal from 1811-1835.) Halley’s original tombstone (the one now in the Observatory courtyard) bore this inscription in Latin: “Under this marble peacefully rests, with his beloved wife, Edmond Halley, LL.D. unquestionably the greatest astronomer of his age. But to conceive an adequate knowledge of the excellencies of this great man, the reader must have recourse to his writings; in which almost all the sciences are in the most beautiful and perspicacious manner illustrated and improved. As when living he was so highly esteemed by his countrymen, gratitude requires that his memory should be respected by posterity.”
The original cache was a fair-sized box and particularly welcomed space and science orientated swaps. Original cache contents were: Logbook & pen Printed paper biography of Edmond Halley (not to be swapped) Digital wristwatch Rubber globe of the earth Horseshoe magnet Test tube of slime Ten Star Wars Tazos Model of Thunderbird 2 Since then though the cache went stolen / missing. I've now down-scaled it to be a simple nano.
NOTE: This is now a magnetic nano-cache containing only a log. You'll need something to sign the log with and maybe something to carefully get it out of the tiny Nano container. And there is a great new infomation board about Halley etc very close to the cache hiding place. Enjoy your visit and pay tribute to Halley. Photos of the site and you there are especially welcome. :)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Obk pyrire.
Treasures
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