Then Herb comes across a sheet of paper, rolled up. He unravels it and it's a map, nicely preserved. They take it down to the ladder to Will's kitchen table to have a better look. Mandy spreads it out and they both lean forward to get a better view of the details.
Enjoying another drink, Mandy leans back and she falls off the rock. They both burst out laughing as Mandy lies prostrate behind the boulder. Mandy suddenly notices something.
Mandy: Look at this Herb. There is a small red arrow painted on the back of the rock and the number 50.
Herb takes a close look: I think you have found the vital key, Mandy. The only issue is what does 50 stand for?
Mandy ponders: Fifty paces?
Herb: Let's try it. Was your granddad's stride similar to mine?
Mandy: Probably..yes, he was your height.
Mandy: The map is of the Silver Creek Bike Park. Granddad used to go there often.
Herb: There is a hand written trail leading off the track, marked in red and leading to that cross.
Mandy: It's like a treasure map.
Herb: Would your granddad Will bury something of value out in the wilds?
Mandy: He was a man of many secrets.
Herb straightens up: He's left one here, to be found later maybe. Was this map for his benefit or for the likes of us to find it?
Mandy: I don't know. I'm sure if he didn't do it for himself, he'd want us to find it.
Herb: Well, it's a beautiful day out. Let's go see what's at the end of that red line.
Mandy excitedly: Let's do it! Let's go find what that big cross signifies.
Herb: We came over on our bikes and planned to cycle somewhere together later. It might as well be this track.
Mandy: I noticed Granddad Will had a folding camp shovel in the basement. I'll grab that so we can dig.
Herb: There is a hand written trail leading off the track, marked in red and leading to that cross.
Mandy: It's like a treasure map.
Herb: Would your granddad Will bury something of value out in the wilds?
Mandy: He was a man of many secrets.
Herb straightens up: He's left one here, to be found later maybe. Was this map for his benefit or for the likes of us to find it?
Mandy: I don't know. I'm sure if he didn't do it for himself, he'd want us to find it.
Herb: Well, it's a beautiful day out. Let's go see what's at the end of that red line.
Mandy excitedly: Let's do it! Let's go find what that big cross signifies.
Herb: We came over on our bikes and planned to cycle somewhere together later. It might as well be this track.
Mandy: I noticed Granddad Will had a folding camp shovel in the basement. I'll grab that so we can dig.
They head along to the start point marked on the map. Then taking the most direct route, they follow Blue Creek and turn left, heading up to where the red trail starts. At the assumed junction of the turnoff, refreshments are taken and a well earned breather.
Herb: Obviously, there isn't a sign to say we are at the correct place, but the sharp bend in the track would indicate we are at the turn off point.
Mandy: I am sure we are at the right spot, as you say.
They leave the main bike track and follow a narrow walking track. It's steep and Mandy struggles to stay upright. She gets off the bike.
Mandy: I think I need to push the bike from here.
Herb stops and looks back: Yes, it's tough. We'll push the bikes up and ride them back down.
Herb: Obviously, there isn't a sign to say we are at the correct place, but the sharp bend in the track would indicate we are at the turn off point.
Mandy: I am sure we are at the right spot, as you say.
They leave the main bike track and follow a narrow walking track. It's steep and Mandy struggles to stay upright. She gets off the bike.
Mandy: I think I need to push the bike from here.
Herb stops and looks back: Yes, it's tough. We'll push the bikes up and ride them back down.
They continue up as they force their through the vegetation that overhangs the overgrown path. On reaching a small patch of grass in a clearing, Mandy lays her bike down and sits on a large, flat boulder.
Mandy: How are we supposed to know where the X is in the real world?
Herb sits next to Mandy: It could be a wild goose chase. That said, this is the only clearing we've come across and the position on the map seems about right.
Mandy: It would be logical to have it at a place like this.
Mandy: How are we supposed to know where the X is in the real world?
Herb sits next to Mandy: It could be a wild goose chase. That said, this is the only clearing we've come across and the position on the map seems about right.
Mandy: It would be logical to have it at a place like this.
Enjoying another drink, Mandy leans back and she falls off the rock. They both burst out laughing as Mandy lies prostrate behind the boulder. Mandy suddenly notices something.
Mandy: Look at this Herb. There is a small red arrow painted on the back of the rock and the number 50.
Herb takes a close look: I think you have found the vital key, Mandy. The only issue is what does 50 stand for?
Mandy ponders: Fifty paces?
Herb: Let's try it. Was your granddad's stride similar to mine?
Mandy: Probably..yes, he was your height.
Off they set, pacing into the forest and pushing past undergrowth. At 50 paces, they stop, look around but nothing stands out. Scouring the tree trunks in the vicinity, Herb eventually spots a faint red arrow painted near the base of a tree trunk and pointing downward.
Herb: Here's the spot! He grabs the folding shovel, extends it and starts digging. He soon hears a clunk of metal on metal. He then carefully digs until a metal box is exposed. Herb lifts it out but it is locked.
Mandy: How did he lock it?
Herb swivels around: With a solid padlock. I suggest we take it back with us and hopefully one of the keys we found back in the attic will open it.
Going back to their bikes, Herb puts the metal box in his backpack and they head downhill. Progress this time is much faster. Leaving the track and the the country roads, then speeding through the suburban streets, Granddad Will's house is soon upon them. They return to the attic and find the keys. Herb tries one or two before one of them releases the padlock's hold on the latch.
Mandy: Let's see what is inside!
Herb: You do the honours, Mandy.
She lifts out a letter and a small case. She reads the letter.
Mandy: To whom it may concern. I buried this metal box in the forest in the hope that someone would take the trouble to go through my possessions and find the map. The box, however, contains some stones, that's all. I hope you enjoyed the ride out there and the excitement of finding the box. Exercise is so good for you.
Herb looks away: What a joker your Granddad Will was!
Mandy in disbelief: Some worthless stones as ballast.
Herb swivels around: With a solid padlock. I suggest we take it back with us and hopefully one of the keys we found back in the attic will open it.
Going back to their bikes, Herb puts the metal box in his backpack and they head downhill. Progress this time is much faster. Leaving the track and the the country roads, then speeding through the suburban streets, Granddad Will's house is soon upon them. They return to the attic and find the keys. Herb tries one or two before one of them releases the padlock's hold on the latch.
Mandy: Let's see what is inside!
Herb: You do the honours, Mandy.
She lifts out a letter and a small case. She reads the letter.
Mandy: To whom it may concern. I buried this metal box in the forest in the hope that someone would take the trouble to go through my possessions and find the map. The box, however, contains some stones, that's all. I hope you enjoyed the ride out there and the excitement of finding the box. Exercise is so good for you.
Herb looks away: What a joker your Granddad Will was!
Mandy in disbelief: Some worthless stones as ballast.
Herb then grins: Oh well, let's make a drink in the kitchen.
They leave the box and contents in the attic and go down to the kitchen. There they sit, sipping their drinks.
Herb: Were you close to your granddad?
Mandy: Yes, I'd come and see him once a week.
Herb: You never brought me.
Mandy: He was a bit of a loner. I was planning to but then....too late.
Herb: So what did Will do in his spare time as a hobby?
Mandy: He used to hunt for and collect gem stones. He knew where to look and what to look for. He only went where the finder could legally keep the stones. Then he'd sell them to people who would turn them into beautiful jewellery. He used to say that some of the most valuable gems look like ordinary stones to the untrained eye. Mandy looks at Herb, her eyes widening.
Herb looks back: Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Herb: So what did Will do in his spare time as a hobby?
Mandy: He used to hunt for and collect gem stones. He knew where to look and what to look for. He only went where the finder could legally keep the stones. Then he'd sell them to people who would turn them into beautiful jewellery. He used to say that some of the most valuable gems look like ordinary stones to the untrained eye. Mandy looks at Herb, her eyes widening.
Herb looks back: Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
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