On the way to Pork Pie Corner
The Martinsell Ring
Situated between two existing caches (GC1PF3K & GC1PD2Z) this is an exhilarating and rewarding walk from the parking location N 51 22.750 W 001 44.271. The views are stunning with glimpses of the Leaning Tower of Pisa are possible on a clear day (or so I was told by a gnarled old local sage at the bar in the Royal Oak in Wootton Rivers!). Take some binoculars with you and just revel at what you see in all directions! The hill has many historic connections beginning with the ancient fortifications; then the local custom of sliding down the slopes on horses skulls (no longer practised it seems), to being the favoured cycling destination of Marlborough College students such as Antony Blunt (Hiss boo) and John Betjeman (hooray!).
Despite the wonderful scenery this area seems more favoured by muggles than geocachers and I'm at a loss to understand why.
But more about this cache - If you look at maps of Martinsell Hill and the surrounding area you will struggle to find any reference to Pork Pie Corner - but it exists. Well for us anyway. Many years ago a young TedsTeam included Beth, a young Welsh Cob. The team went everywhere (but not caching as it hadn't then been invented) and one autumn day they found themselves on Martinsell Hill and in need of a rest after the arduous climb from West Wick Farm. It was a cold but clear day and far off, clouds of dust could be seen rising from where shells were exploding on Salisbury Plain. The team halted on the corner of Martinsell Hill and decided to have lunch. Michelle unpacked the grub while Colin poured the coffee and Beth was tethered and allowed to graze along side us. The food was served and was being enjoyed when Michelle and Colin well into deep conversation about the military antics on the far off Plain. Gesticulating with one hand whilst holding his food in the other, Colin tried to explain the expansiveness of the MOD's land across the valley when Beth, obviously bored with the grass, swooped and gently sucked the pork pie from Colin's outstretched hand - and ate it! The location has been known as Pork Pie Corner ever since.
Sadly Beth died last year and so this cache is in her memory. It is a small clip box in a camo bag. Its initial contents include a coin (for the FTF), a log book and some trinkets plus a new TB - Pork Pie (1A8BGF) whose aim is to visit other pork pies around the world.
ONWARDS DIRECTIONS - follow the field boundary; you do not need to descend to the valley floor and climb back up again (unless you want to)