This is a virtual/multi-cache hybrid (see instructions below), and this is reflected in the difficulty rating.
Harry Potter in London - Leadenhall Market
This area featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Hagrid brings Harry here to pick up all his school supplies in anticipation of starting at Hogwarts.
At the published coordinates you find yourself outside the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, through which Diagon Alley was accessed. In the film the doorway is rather dark and dingy, but it has since been spruced up and is now occupied by a shop (or so the muggles believe ;-).
A short history of the market
Leadenhall is a beautifully preserved architectural gem in the heart of the City of London. There has been a market on this site since 1321 in what was once the centre of Roman London. The current structure was built in 1881, replacing a stone building created by Lord Mayor of London, Dick Whittington (yes that one). Back when the streets were paved with gold ...
Leadenhall market has appeared in a number of films over the years but perhaps most prominently in Heath Ledger's last film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, directed by Terry Gilliam.
To claim the cache
- At the starting coordinates you need to find three numbers J, K, and L.
- Next walk to N51 30.(3*K-J)(J-K)(K) W000 05.(J-2*L)(K-L)(K+L). No owl post here unfortunately, instead find a double postbox. There are three words cast into the body at the bottom of the postbox, 2 words on the first line and 1 on the second.
Take the first 2 letters of each word to give AAAAAA (you will need this later). Count the length of the three words to give P, Q, R.
Go to go to N51 30.(Q)(P)(R-P) W0 05.(P+Q-R)(Q-P)(2*R-4*P). Here you will find a couple of things familiar to Harry and Hagrid.
- If you look up you will see a number of dragons, perhaps Swedish Short Snouts, judging by the colour. Count all of those you can see from your spot, to give a 2 digit number BB.
- You will also see a number of moulded panels featuring what look like cauldrons. Each panel shows a fruit tree growing out of the cauldron (a use I'm sure Snape would not approve of). How many fruit are shown on each tree? Call that single digit C.
- Send an email to BBCAAAAAA@gmail.com, where AAAAAA, BB, and C come from your answers above, with your username as the subject, and the GC Code as the message.
Send to: BBCAAAAAA@gmail.com
Subject: Your GC username
Message: GC9P5X6
If your answers are correct, and you have included the GC code, you will receive a confirmatory email. Please submit your answers within 7 days of logging the cache. Your log will be deleted if an email is not received within this time.
Please Note: Emailed responses are being bounced by btinternet.com email addresses. I will try to contact those cachers via the messaging system, but would advise sending from an alternative email provider.
Whilst you are in the area
If you are interested in modern architecture you will find many fine examples nearby. Exiting the market by the north you will see The Lloyd's Building (aka the Inside-Out Building), The Cheese Grater (122 Leadenhall Street), and The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe). Exiting south you will come to Fenchurch Street, and The Walkie-Talkie (20 Fenchurch Street), which includes The Sky Garden (free but booking required).
FTF Honours go to pantadeusz, who found the cache mere moments after it was published. Congratulations!
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.