Loki, the trickster, may, or may not, lead the way to the cache.
I remember when my followers visited these parts. Many moons ago they plundered Saint Columba’s Isle near here and buried one of their fallen under a stone house, as was the custom.
They knew the truth of the old tales of me and my fellow gods. Tarry a while and hear some of the stories. I will start with a tale of Thor.
Thor and Týr decided they wished to brew ale. Off they went to Hymir's hall to find a cauldron large enough for the many gallons of ale they planned to make. At the hall Týr's nine-hundred-headed grandmother greeted him and his mother blew a horn in celebration. After a fine feast and much ale Thor took his leave of Týr and we set off together in Thor’s chariot, pulled by ten goats. Thor was determined to wreak havoc on the dwarves who had tried to steal his hammer. As we rode along an army of two hundred dwarves appeared on the road. Even Thor was awed by the sight but rode on, fuelled by wrath and ale. I confess I felt discretion was the better part of valour and as we hit a bump in the track contrived to ‘fall’ off the back of his chariot. I shouted my apologies to Thor and cheered him on to his attack. Four times he charged the dwarves but was beaten back. Eventually he turned and as he passed I leapt back on his chariot and urged him to return to the ale hall.
Thor was now in a foul mood but after several large horns of ale he eventually calmed enough to listen to the tales of old, beginning with Yggdrasil, the tree that spans the nine worlds. Odin chose Yggdrasil as the place where he sacrificed himself to himself. For four nights he hung from the tree, wounded by a spear, without food or drink until he discovered runes with which the tales were then recorded.Thor had calmed down now and rested on a bench.
I thought he might be amused by the story of how I gave birth to Sleipnir.
In the beginning the gods were building a fortress in Valhalla. A builder offered to help them provided he could use his horse. The gods agreed that if he succeeded in completing the fortress without the help of any man, and before the start of winter, he could take the three things he requested; the goddess Freya, the sun and the moon. The builder made amazing progress because his stallion had miraculous strength and could pull huge rocks on his own. Three days before the deadline it seemed the fortress would be completed on time. Seven elves arrived and taunted the gods, laughing at their looming defeat. The gods became angry and who did they decide to blame but yours truly. They never liked me after I had spent those relaxing eight winters below the Earth as a woman milking cows. (What's wrong with that I ask you?)
They promised me a horrible death if I did not find some way to stop the builder's progress. I racked my brains and came up with a cunning plan. I turned myself into a mare and lured the builder's stallion away. The two of us ran around all night being chased by the builder. Sure enough the work stopped and Freya, the sun and moon were saved. I later gave birth to the two-headed, eight-legged, foal Sleipnir, the fairest horse ever seen.
Some of the gods still bayed for my blood. I conjured up the terrible weapon Lævateinn to defend myself. From runes it came, by the Gates of Death in Hel. It lies there still, in an iron chest secured with nine strong locks. Four-eyed Sinmara guards it for me and I will reclaim it if the need arises.
Thor rested his inebriated head on his hammer Mjolnir. I related how Mjolnir was created by the three dwarves, Brokkr, Eitri and Dwalin. They were insufferably arrogant. Just for fun I bet them my head that they could not create anything more beautiful than the items created by their rivals, the sons of Ivaldi. They set up a forge with Brokkr blowing air into it. I turned myself into a fly and fiercely bit Brokkr, first on the arm and then the neck but he continued to blow. They created two beautiful items, Freyr’s boar Gullinbursti, and Odin’s ring Draupnir which duplicates itself every nine nights. Two times Dwalin tried to swat me, but missed. I was starting to get frustrated and bit Brokkr hard on the eyelid. He stopped for a moment but they still managed to make Mjolnir. I had lost the bet but then they realised they could not cut off my head without taking at least part of my neck which was not part of the deal. They had won but I kept my head!
Thor gave a belly laugh but all that ale was finally too much for him and he fell asleep.
I slipped away and hid the cache at
N 55 5R.F W 003 1A.UKG
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
The cache zone is exposed and you may be overlooked; stealth required. The cache is a small lock and lock box.
Dogs must be kept on a lead.
Many thanks to the landowner for permission to site the cache. They have asked me to emphasize that they accept no liability for injury to anyone visiting the cache.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LOST ROOM FOR THE FTF