Major Revision!! After the long wet
winter it was reported that some of the caches were water
logged. I have taken this opportunity to revise not only the
linear order of the caches (I had complaints!!) but also the
type of stage cache. The new-style caches are much harder
(but certainly not more difficult) to find!, and hopefully
less likely to be removed. It is an unfortunate fact that
this area is festooned with 'Caracois Hunters', Shepherds,
and other hunters (than Geocachers), who not only investigate
these trees for fruit and snails but also take advantage of
their shade to picnic and lounge around. In a chain of 10
caches there is a good chance a muggle may chance upon one
and break the chain. If you think this has happened, then
please contact me via the number on my home page listed
through my profile on geocaching.com
NB The tree in this photo will NOT be found during the search for
this cache. It is just to remind you of what trees can
be!
The idea for
this cache arose during one of my many walks with my dogs in this
area. As you know, dogs have an affinity with trees, and although
they were not particular about the type of the tree, I was amazed
at the variety of trees to be found in this small section near the
coast. I have included 8 types of tree in this cache, and even if
you can't recognise them now, by the time you have found the final
cache you will know as much as I do! I regret I couldn't include
the cork oak (sobreiro) in the selection, but these appear to be
deliberately planted as crops, and just did not occur sufficiently
close to make this a compact cache, easily achievable on
foot.
The cache can
be completed in about 2-3 hours on foot (if you are GOOD), or on a
mountain bike or suitable vehicle, if you are not so
energetic.
The above grid contains at 2 Across
and 1 Down the name of one of the Top Algarve Geocaching
Teams, and also the following trees, using the ENGLISH
version of the name.
English
Portuguese
Almond
Amendoeira
Carob
Alfarrobeira
Fig Figueira
Loquat
Nespereira
Mulberry
Amoreira
Olive
Oliveira
Palm
Palmeira
Pine
Pinheiro
There is only one way to
complete the grid with these English names of the
trees.
The coordinates given are
those of a tree of one of these types
At or near this tree, there
will be a 'cache' giving the coordinates of the next tree to
find.
This next tree, will NOT ONLY
have a 'cache' giving the coordinates of the subsequent tree, BUT
ALSO a single digit number which corresponds to the highlighted
letter in the grid name of the tree.
You have to identify the tree
to know which letter to use.
When you get to the ninth
tree, you should have eight digits corresponding to the letters in
these coordinates:
'N37º 0Q.DEF' 'W008º
4R.LMN'
These are the coordinates of
the final cache, which may or may not be another
tree!