THE GIANT TREE Traditional Cache
THE SMILEYS: Since the sign posted route to the cache remains inaccessible we have decided to archive. Should the path be reinstated then we shall replace the cache.
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Short steepish circular with good paths. Reading the listing/hint will help if the signal is poor.
Follow the signs for ‘The Giant Tree’ from the car park and climb a well defined ‘flight of steps’ in Thirlmere Forest and there under the shelter of High Seat stands a Common Silver Fir which has stood there since 1820. It’s a walk through woodland with occasional glimpses of the lake and the fells of the opposite shore. Continue down another ‘flight of steps’ and you will reach a circle of seven trees which it is believed was used as a cock fighting ring in days gone by.
To add a bit of atmosphere as you head up into the dark and creepy forest a little piece of local folklore: Armboth House which stood at the foot of nearby Armboth Fell midway along the western side of Thirlmere was claimed to be the most haunted house in Cumberland. It has lain beneath the waters of Thirlmere, along with several other buildings including farms, cottages and an inn of the village of Wythburn, since October 1894, when the reservoir, which now serves Manchester, was completed.
The legend, which is etched in the folklore of the Lake District, took place some two centuries ago. The daughter of the family of the house was about to get married on Halloween. In the Midst of the preparations a stranger rushed into the house to tell the family that the bride had been pushed violently into the water and drowned. No one knew who had murdered the girl, but the bridegroom was suspected for some time. On subsequent Halloweens strange happenings occurred. Bells would ring, furniture would move across the floor without human assistance, plates would crash to the floor, lights would appear and disappear, and even a strange ghostly form of a dog was seen swimming in the water. Now it all lies at the bottom of Thirlmere, and who knows now what happens on Halloween, but it is said that the sound of bells can still be heard, and a ghostly dog is still said to swim in Thirlmere Lake where she was murdered. Dare you go at Halloween – dare you go at all?
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Svaq gur frira gerrf.
Treasures
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