This earthcache is a continuation from the excellent Earthcaches placed by The Wombles and Gowenhouse.
This area is part of the Fyfield Down National Nature Reserve and is an SSSI of geological interest. This is because Fyfield down, of which Piggle Dene is part, is home to an assemblage of many thousand sarsen stones, often called grey wethers. This whole area was made by natural forces which were not only strong enough to shape this landscape, but also to carry the stones to where they lie.
The stones seem to lay in a train and were transported and dropped into position via a process of freezing and thawing.
Sarsen stones are composed of sand particles that have cemeted together over time to form a very hard sandstone. Amazingly, the roots of tropical plants can be seen in some stones. These root holes were made 50 million years ago, when the stones were still sandy soil. The cementation of the sediments happened about 5-10 million years ago just below the surface of the ground (at the time). The uncemented sediments have long since washed away. You can see sarsen stones in use at important sites such as Avebury and Stone Henge.
To claim this Earthcache we would like you to message the answers to the following questions via our profile and if possible attach a photo of the area:
1) Why are the sarsen stones nicknamed grey wethers? As there is no interpretation board you will be able to find the answer in the links provided above.
2) Estimate the size of the sarsen stone at the following location: N 51 24.998 W 001 47.848.
3) At this stone describe what the stone feels like. Can you suggest why it feels like this?
Accessibility
Please park at the parking coordinates provided as the A4 is a very busy road. There is a path from the parking coordinates down to the cache and good visibility for crossing the road. Unfortunately I wouldn't say that this cache is wheelchair or pushchair accessible as there is a stile to cross at the entrance to Piggle Dene and after that the ground is uneven. Additionally, as seen in thee photo above, there are often sheep in the field, so please bear this in mind when visiting the cache location.
Published with the permission of The National Trust
Well done to Lydford Locators for the FTF