GCV0PA Something Bigg In Dinton (Multi-cache) in United Kingdom created by OldYella

This cache has been archived.

Alba15: This cache has been unavailable for a considerable period and as the owner has not responded to logs nor logged into geocaching.com for sometime I am archiving it.

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Alba15
Volunteer UK Reviewer

GCV0PA ▼

A cache by OldYella Message this owner

Hidden : 3/22/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A short easy walk on public footpaths to and around a small lake.

This cache will take you on a short walk around the edge of Dinton Hall and via a micro to the final cache location somewhere around Biggin Pond, hence the name for this cache. It says Biggin Pond on the map but to the villagers of Dinton it was always simply “The Biggin” – certainly in my youth.

Dinton Hall as you will doubtless see is currently undergoing fairly major refurbishment. Dinton Hall was the home of Simon Mayne in the mid 17th century as described in Happy Hippo’s “The Unhappy Hermit” cache (GCQ65R). The Dinton Hermit was a man by the name of John Biggs (not thought to be connected directly with The Biggin) who was as Happy Hippo says - one of the signatories to the execution warrant for King Charles I. There is reason to speculate that Bigg himself may have been one of the hooded executioners of the king, and that his subsequent self imposed life as a hermit was in remorse for this deed.

A house much smaller than Dinton Hall will feature at some stage in this cache. It is the woods behind this house (as you will look at it) that was always said to be the location of the Dinton Hermit’s cave although we never found it as kids.

In 1727 John Vanhattem purchased Dinton Hall from the Mayne family. It was John’s son of the same name who became Sir John Vanhattem. In 1769 it was this Sir John Vanhattem who built the folly of Dinton Castle which features in Dan & Pid’s “Black Magic” Cache (GC8FAB). You see this isn’t just thrown together ?

So on to the cache. The co-ordinates above are a good place to park and very near to your starting point. (waypoint 1) When you get here take stock of your surroundings. The value of A is equal to the number of holes although why there are this many is still a mystery to me.

51 47.547 00 53.342

Whilst here it’s a short stroll to Dinton Church where (if the church is open) you can see the final resting place of the Maynes and Vanhattems.

The next stop is at N 51 47.501 W 00 53.332 where you can find the value of B. Look for a postcode CR0 BSQ.

From here take the footpath to N 51 47.416 W 00 53.515 to find the value of C and D in the following obvious sequence: CCG C85D.

Along the way you will get a good view of Dinton Hall and its landscaped grounds.

Now you have the values of A,B, C & D calculate the following to lead you to a micro:

N 51 47.D(B+C)(A+B) W 00 53.D(A+C)(B+C-D)

The micro will then lead you to the cache which should be discoverable without too much muggle trouble particularly outside the fishing season. This footpath continues all the way around the Biggin Pond so if you miss it the first time you can keep going round until you find it. :-) Once completed you can retrace your steps to your car or take the gate at N 51 47.329 W 00 53.237 and return carefully up the road.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Micro] Cbfg n erzbgr xvff [Cache] Yhpxl lbh jrera'g urer va gur fgbez

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)