We started praying on Tuesday that the weather forecasters had got it wrong. But no, so by Thursday I sent an email to those on line suggesting they would need wellies and a raincoat. Most responded by saying, “I’m not getting out of the car he/she is.” I was trying to warn them without giving away the finishing place, the treasure, which was Diggerland Kent. Imagine the mud, rain, wind and… Anyway I did my best. 11.33am the first car set off from Brands Hatch Thistle Hotel. Waved off with the Union Jack professionally executed by Rod Birley Esq. In the foreground a very smart brand new BARC SEC flag demonstrated who was involved with the show, on reflection I should have got Borough 19 to bring theirs too! Rod sent each car off at roughly 3 minute gaps and it wasn’t until the last two cars were due to depart that I asked if he had noticed whether they were turning right onto the A20 or left. Blank looks! As long as they went right they were heading in the right direction. At about 12.45pm Andy Ratcliffe phoned and told me he had travelled 10 miles and hadn’t found a clue yet! It turned out that he had missed the first right after the second left after the first clue. In simple language, first right after going under the M20 bridge behind Brands. Now we couldn’t put that in the clues and directions could we, it would have been too easy, and anyway others managed to find their way. Clot! I put him back on route and heard nothing more until he reached the finish all smiles and happy that he was going to get to go on all the diggers. Team Chezzebob were the first to arrive at the treasure in an astonishing 2 hours 48 minutes they were the 5th car to leave and arrived 1st. Not bad for a blond! Quick time but not the quickest that went to the Tonbridge Titans with a time of 2 hours 36 minutes, not that anyone was racing you understand. At 10am in the morning Team Also Ran were still surfing the net; he lives in Ely Cambridgeshire, why hadn’t he left? Scolded by Rod for not being on the road Graham and his team finally turned up at Brands with minutes to spare before their departure time. This gave them little time to relax after their belt down the M11 and M25 to the start, but off they went, Graham rocking and rolling to the Rolling Stones “can’t get no satisfaction.” By the time they arrived they hardly had any time to enjoy the facilities in the Diggerland Park. But didn’t seem too bothered and no one looked as if they wanted to kill each other, surprisingly! They were rewarded for their troubles with a set of suitcases because not only did they take a long time but they clocked up the longest distance, 43 miles on an 18.9 mile course. Jane Anthony and the Booze Cruise III team cut their holiday short by a day to attend the hunt. Jane looked shattered, but well up for the adventure. However, they took the longest time, even longer than Team Also Ran’s 4hours 10 minutes. The Booze Cruisers took a staggering 4 hours 26 minutes and were awarded with a clock and a watch. It was a miserable day, cold, wet, and windy. I am so sorry about that because many of the hunters had not come prepared, hoping, I think, for a nice warm place to be entertained, like last year’s vineyard experience. Chin was most disappointed. He finished 6th overall, which was pretty good out of 19 teams. But on arrival he politely asked if he could go, as Diggerland wasn’t his scene. The clues and answers are as follows. We used our discrection on some of the answers so if you see an answer here that you may not have given exactly as shown, chances are we would have given you the point or half a point. |
The 2006 Treasure Hunt Clues |
Start Point – Thistle Hotel Brands Hatch | Direction – Leave car in the car park and find next five clues on foot |
34. | Name the Earl of Darnby John Stuart |
Direction - Turn right on to A20, take next right, continue past first turning on left. | 35. | He frequented the leather bottle, who is he? Charles Dickens |
1. | FF is made where? Italy | 36. | His friend runs the tuck shop Mr Bumble |
Direction – Take 2nd turning on left after clue #1, then take next right | 37. | What time is the final service at Luddesdown? 9.15pm |
2. | SF RW and JM can be found where? On a tree stump | 38. | This was built in 1874 – full name please Cobham Primary School |
3. | What are Saxton & Cages a part of? The Woodlands Trust | Direction – left at the roundabout |
Direction – Continue over Xroads, go up the hill, then turn right at T-junction | 39. | How many Ferrantis are visible? 2 |
4. | What is Tommy’s surname? White | 40. | In which year was the CAMS project set up? 1997 |
5. | The nursery school opening times 9.15am to 12.15pm | Direction – third exit at roundabout, go over bridge |
Direction – Take 2nd turning on left after clue #5 | 41. | Name the symbols for zoning Horse riding, cycling, Dog Walking |
6. | What is for Private Members Only Northdown Country Riding Club | Direction – next turning left after clue #41 |
Direction – Go straight on over three junctions after clue #6 | 42. | VET SEAN VENESTA |
7. | Pilgrims what? Corner | Direction – Left at T-junction |
8. | What time is Evensong? 6.30pm | 43. | Taxus baccata keeps you left, what’s its common name? A Yew Tree |
9. | Former Disc Jockey’s name & telephone number John Peal Ash Green 872209 | 44. | For bookings call… 01474 822373 |
10. | Who is made of scrap? Ridley Angel | Direction - Follow road round to the right |
11. | Built in 1810 Bowdler’s Well | 45. | How many clocks at the village hall? 4 (three inside, one on outside) |
Direction – Take next turn on right | Direction – Turn right at Xroads |
12. | What happens if you break the animal Act 1971? Your dog could be shot if found among sheep | 46. | What sits above the bulrushes? A Dragon Fly |
13. | Yaba daba doo Flintstones | 47. | Where do the sons live? Pipes Place |
14. | How many foot rests on DP425? 8 | 48. | Number of yellow wheelchairs at Copperfield 3 |
Direction – straight on at Xroads | Direction – Straight on at traffic lights |
15. | Secure with 6 bars and 6 what? Padlocks | 49. | Master protects what? Higham Garage |
16. | SW site reference 101356 | 50. | What is “Craggsy” up to these days? Headmaster at Gads Hill School |
Direction – Turn left onto A227 | 51. | Restored by Impact Higham Horse Trough |
17. | Its number DA13 36, what is it? Letter box number | Direction – Straight on at both roundabouts |
18. | Name the principle MRCVS Martin T Hobbs | 52. | This can be found at Km 15.4 Oil Pipline |
19. | N E S W SIRS Navigation Ltd | Direction – Straight over double traffic lights |
20. | This was bought from SW Norton Meopham windmill | 53. | Who makes unreal stone? Kent Balusters |
21. | Name the third doctor from the top David Woodhead | Direction – Bear left at lights |
22. | What does Kinder represent? Pre-School Day Nursery | 54. | 4.5 equals 15 ft |
23. | What is Josh’s biggest cup size? JJ | Direction – Straight on at lights into one-way system, move to right lane. Turn right before overhead bridge. Move to left lane, turn left just past Matalan. |
Direction – Take first right after clue #24 | 55. | What was stationed in Gibraltar? Peewee - Merchant Navy Salvage Tug |
24. | Who was established in 1851? Walker Croft Estate Agents | Direction – Right at roundabout (nearly there) |
25. | Give the principle colour of the exchange mail box Black | 56. | Danelaw provides what? CATV cover |
26. | Service for… MG Rover | Direction – pull over at hoarding before garage |
27. | You now need to take a comfort break, and at the same time find out when the pub was built 2nd year reign of Charles II | 57. | How many steps up and over? 65 (33 + 32) |
28. | Which bus company gets to The Chequers at 16.04 most Mondays Manns Travel | 58. | How many parking spaces painted in overflow car park? 27 |
Direction – Use your feet Choo, Choo | Direction – Left at roundabout |
29. | Peter England’s job title Sole Street Station Manager | 59. | After 14 days what happens to animals left here? They are sold |
30. | How do you get to 117B? Over the foot bridge | 60. | Time of last collection today There isn’t one |
Direction - Now get back in the car, continue on village road ignoring side junctions | Direction – Over bridge take first right, park and come in! You’ve found the treasure! |
31. | This could cost you £1000 Dumping | Bonus Questions: |
Direction – Turn right at T-junction | Name the rivers you see on route Two (Thames & Medway) |
32. | £1.30 for what? A child at Owletts | How many retail petrol stations do you pass? 4 – Esso x 2, Morrisions x 1, BP x1, |
33. | How many chimney pots at Meadow Rooms? 8 | The name of this house suggests it is very cheap Halfpenny at Cobham |