The Ring Around Rycote

Just posted a maintenance notice on this very special cache, I really hope it gets sorted out.

07/19/2011  The Ring Around Rycote (Oxon)

  I was very strongly considering asking Ben and Dan if I could adopt this cache, I still haven't ruled it out but this is more than just a maintenance job, boys feel free to contact me if you want to discuss. The cache is currently fully operational but the micros are in a bad state of repair and the final is full of damp mouldy rubbish and has no log book, if there is no maintenance done soon I would recommend that it is disabled / archived.

  As I said the caches themselves need desperate maintenance but that's not the main issue. I expect that people are avoiding this cache as it involves the deathtrap that is Rycote Lane. I am not sure what the lay of the land was when this cache was first set up but now Rycote Lane serves as the main rat run from Thame to the M40. You will find there is no sensible place to park a car these days, there is no nearby location to walk from and as there are no footpaths and only partially cleared verges you are walking on the road much of the time with lots of cars driving at high speed with very little regard for walkers.

  I have wracked my brain to the best of its ability to make this cache doable without having to park on or walk along Rycote Lane and without having to walk the same path twice. Ideally starting from Tiddington to take advantage of the good parking. For the life of me I cannot see how it can be done, it is in the best configuration possible taking into consideration the landmarks the current placement of the micros and the final and the public rights of way.

  In my humble opinion the only feasible safe way to do the cache as written is to get dropped off (quickly!) at the first micro and picked up at the final. This makes it inaccessible unless you have an understanding partner as well as making it very hard to maintain. All that aside, Rycote Chapel itself is just beautiful and more people should see it, the walk is really beautiful in places it's well worth it for that alone. The footpaths are very well maintained and the final is a great little place that was a delight to find, I'm sure in it's prime this would have been a great cache and it is very sad to see no one is visiting it any more.