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The boys had a sleepover … or should that be a “lack of sleep”-over! After being awake at the crack of dawn, they had a short play on the X-Box (Rocket League!) and they we dragged them away from technology and headed into Newbury to complete one of the Treasure Trail maps.
The Treasure Trails maps take you around a town looking for clues to solve the mystery set in the guide. We were hoping learn something about our local neighbourhood.
We started outside the Town Hall in the Market Place and the tour took us around the town through St Nics churchyard and down the canal.
Here the boys had an unexpected treat. It took a while for them to solve the clues by the lock. Whilst they were searching, the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust barge came up to the lock so we all stood watching the lock empty to bring the water level down to the right level for the barge to enter. The lady on the banks asked the boys if they wanted to open the lock gates and they jumped at the chance.
They watched the large enter the lock and then listened whilst the lady explained why they only opened certain parts to let the lock refill – so the barge wasn’t buffeted in the lock. They were then allowed to open the gates to let the barge out and continue on their way down the canal.
Something we must do during the holidays at some point – go on one of the barge trips.
Our trip continued around town, heading down the High Street and through Victoria Park (some tricky clues here) and we bumped into another family doing the Treasure Trail around Newbury.
One sticky point after leaving the canal area – one clue had two answers (but only one would fit) but may confuse people not from the area; the wrong clue is perhaps a little more obvious.
The trail ended up at the library and I must say it’s one of the more “evil” clues that we’ve encountered. We counted, counted again and again and again … eventually working out the answer.
No areas we explored we new to us, but it certainly did open our eyes to some things we hadn’t spotted before.
The boys enjoyed it!
