Once there on Xmas Peninsula, close your eyes and imagine that
you are on your very own desert island. Smell the exotic fragrances
from the ‘Pianta di Fognatura’ wafting on the breeze
across the river and listen to the gentle, hypnotic humming of the
‘Laminatoio del’Assestamento’. Then open your
eyes and gaze in wonderment at the magnificent crystal blue water
as it cascades over the falls
You could be in Paradise……… But unfortunately,
you're not!
In reality, you are almost completely surrounded by water, with a
canal with locks to the south, a river with a big weir and a boom
to the west, north and east. I will let you discover the
rest.
We first came to this location quite by chance. Just before last
Christmas, we were walking two dogs which we had agreed to look
after whilst their owners (our friends) went on a pre-Christmas,
week-end shopping trip to London.
One dog was a West Highland White Terrier called Angus who was
originally bred for ratting and the other was a North American
Water Spaniel called Scuba who was originally bred for hunting and
retrieving ducks from canoes. A most unlikely combination of breeds
you are ever likely to find.
Anyway, we arrived at Ha’penny Bridge and parked the car. As
soon as Angus and Scuba got off their leashes they were away,
running around like two young pups. Suddenly, Scuba spotted a
rabbit near the trees and was after it like a shot - Woof Woof Woof
Woof Woof he yelped as he ran, Woof Woof Woof Bark Bark. Angus was
a little slower off the mark, but he ran as fast as his little legs
could go - Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark - Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark -
Woof Bark Bark Bark Bark he continued. The rabbit saw them coming
and scurried down the nearest rabbit hole, safely out of
sight.
As we got near to the rabbit hole, we could see Angus looking down
it with one ear cocked and acting like crazy, Woof Woof Woof Woof
Bark …… Woof Woof Woof Bark Bark. Scuba was much
wiser, and knew they couldn’t get to the rabbit and had
already set off, bounding through the trees on his next adventure.
Woof Woof Woof Woof Bark he yelped, Woof Bark Bark Bark Bark.
At this point, we lost sight of the two dogs so Anne called out,
“Scuba, Angus”. There was no response so Anne called
out again, but louder, “Scuuubaaa, Aaanguus”. Bark Bark
Bark Bark Bark, yelped Scuba as he reappeared from the bushes. Woof
Woof Woof Woof Bark yelped Angus following close behind.
Nearing the end of the Isthmus we came upon a man walking his dog.
It was a big nasty looking Alsatian with keen piercing eyes and
slobbering chops exposing the sharpest teeth you have ever seen.
Angus greeted the Alsatian with a doggy welcome. Bark Woof Woof
Woof Woof. The Alsatian lowered its head, raised its hackles and
growled menacingly at our two dogs. Scuba wasn’t having any
of it and growled very loudly at the Alsatian dog, Woof Woof Woof
Woof Bark, thundered Scuba. The Alsatian’s tail dropped
between its back legs as it skulked away down the path, quickly
followed by its owner.
Very soon we reached the middle of the peninsula. Both dogs were
having such fun, running around in circles. Scuba stood and yelped
at Angus, Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof and Angus yelped back Bark Bark
Woof Woof Woof.
After a while it began to rain, so we all ran back to the car. What
a great time we all had.
Now, using your own initiative, work out the coordinates you need
to follow in our footsteps to find the hidden cache.
Please take extra care if you have children with you and do not let
them stray.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on
Geochecker.com.
Start your walk along the Isthmus footpath which is directly
opposite the gates to the Narrow boat Marina)