The cache containers may not hidden too well … Please leave them as you found them … safe from the sheep and cows and dogs. Sheepdogs bark very loudly and wag their tails at people, the farm has two children who 'play' with them ... . Sheep walk away from you and cattle walk towards you. Leave only memories of a good day, and nothing else.
You must assess the risk. Thank you and enjoy the cache.
The caches are placed around the Afon Llafar valley which flows through the township of Maestron. The buildings called “Beudy” are cowsheds, it is pronounced “biddy” . The old English is ‘byre’ or ‘bower’.
The hill farms are mainly above 200 metres altitude. The Celts (Welsh) have lived at these heights for at least 3000 years. A few of the dwellings foundations date from at least 1000 years ago. Nearly all the buildings shown on today’s maps of the valley have been there for at least 200 years.
You may notice that some areas, mainly along the streams, have been fenced off and hardwood trees and hedges planted. These are part of the Governments Upland Conservation Initiatives. These are called nature headlands and corridors. They were started about ten years ago, and continue today.
Tal-y-Bont farm is part of an interesting project which is monitoring the effects of a ‘Catchment Sensitive Farming Project’. The chemicals used on both the farm stock and the land are being constantly monitored. This is a response to changes in farm management, from for example, sheep dipping, to a direct “by mouth” and injections of medical treatments and animal husbandry. Further information can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/water/csf/index.htm
There is also a special bird survey every year, particularly of the raptors in the immediate area. This is carried out by the RSPB on behalf of DEFRA. The land to the northeast around the hill; Moel-y-Garnedd, is a special area which has protection measures when the curlews are nesting. Please do not pick flowers, some are protected by law.
As you walk around, see just how many trees, plants, birds and little creatures you can identify.
Finally, there are a few Welsh Pin Badges and Trolley Tokens in the caches as gifts. Leave some for others and please trade-up with 'Welsh' items and keep these caches worth visiting. Thank you.