Coffins and Corpses Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Cache is a small clip-lid box in a camo bag with logbook and small swappables some 30m from the stone.
There are many well marked footpaths through Penallt connecting this location to the Old Church and today’s centre of the village near the Inn at Penallt. This cache can be completed in conjunction with Penallt Halt, The Two Bridges and A View to Die For.
Back a hundred years ago or more relatives carried coffins for miles for burial since there was very little transport and or decent roads which could safely accommodate horse-drawn vehicles.
You have found the Penallt ‘coffin stone’ ,rescued and restored by volunteers in 1999, upon which the coffin would be rested under the large oak tree before continuing uphill to Penallt Old Church. Whilst resting the mourners would sing hymns or indeed quench their thirst before continuing the final stage of the journey.
There are many tales of these funeral journeys.One connected with this stone and concerning a wealthy but miserly old farmer who, shortly after his wife died , wooed and married his dairymaid who was considerably younger. Two years later when he died, the funeral party stopped here for refreshments and rest. The coffin was clumsily set down with a heavy jolt at which a groaning sound was heard. A carpenter was called for and when the lid was opened the shocked mourners saw the ‘corpse’ slowly sit up and ask for water. It would appear that the farmer was still very much alive. But the tale doesn’t end there, for when after a few more years the farmer fell ill and died the funeral party repeated its journey , but when they paused at the stone for the usual rest his young widow urged them on shouting ‘ No stopping this time. Get him to the churchyard!’
Nowadays it is still common for the hearse to repeat this old custom and stop for a moment’s reflection at the coffin stone before continuing to the church.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vil nf guvpx nf lbhe nez
Treasures
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