The days of sticking caches hither-thither are over; I now want to focus on caches that have some meaning or have a different edge. A bit of a story behind them - I call them my 'Raison d'etre caches'. Such is very much the case here!!
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This cache has the full approval of The Woodland Trust and I would like to thank Joe Saxton and Lawrence Weston - the Local Rangers for their support. I believe Joe even cleared the site for me! Another thing I love about this cache is that it is a joint enterprise - two Geocachers working together to create what we hope will be an enduring Geocache.
Right! - To business - The Muzzle Well.
I have known about Muzzle Well since I was knee high to a grasshopper; it was part of our playground. In those days one could wander far and wide even at a tender age and feel quite safe! It has always had an air of "mystique" and there quite a few versions of its history - it has almost become folklore.
I am more than willing to admit that there is "something about" being here - it is hidden and enshrouded. One could easily believe that the Little People congregate here!
The "Well" is an outlet for one of the many springs around the hill and has become, for one reason or another, the most notable.
One of the alternative names for the well is "The Roman Well", as it is said to have served the needs of the occupying legions in the area. It was the nearest spring to the Chosen Fort.
The origin of the name Muzzle is not so clear. One suggestion is that it derives from the German - Musenquelle - Well of The Muses, where Nymphs would congregate.
I love the tale that records local maidens would consult the tree shadowed water - (this shading adds to its mystique) - to whisper their romantic desires into it. I don't think it worked for Evil Edna!!!!
Muzzle Well is the subject of a plethora of tales and a wide variety of opinions as to its history. Whatever - I love it!
My favourite yarn - that of The Tea Ladies.
Tea was regularly served on the green as the Hill was a popular place to visit; but there was some rivalry between the the "tea ladies". It is said that one went to The Well and "filled it in", thus depriving her competitor of having fresh water with which to make the tea. However, I do wonder how she managed to serve her customers.
The Well Trough is a major bone of contention as it certainly isn't ancient. We cleaned it out in 2014 and it looks more Victorian. It had an old stainless steel spoon sitting in the bottom. Let's be honest - it's not much to look at really!!!
Who cares? Make of it what you will; I think it's a great place for a Geocache!
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I, LizMar2010, am hoping to get this new series up and running nationally. So if you decide to lay one or more with this series, please let me know via ancientwellsl@yahoo.com so that I can issue a number and I will add them in a bookmark