On the way through the woods to this cache stop to take a look at the original name sign for Jenny’s Wood placed there by our daughter Jenny Wood in December 1993 when she won a children’s competition to have a wood planted and named after them. Originally the name sign was outside of the tree planting but is long since overgrown amidst brambles, nettles and woody undergrowth. There is however one safe and simple way to reach it by approaching from the rear along a path that runs through the woods.
Since then Saughall Massie Community Fire Station has been built between the wood and the road. If approaching from Upton by-pass, park in one of the parking bays either side of Saughall Massie Road just before the Fire Station.
There is a tarmac path between the fire station and the houses. Walk along the side of the fire station and bear right on the mud path along the fire station back fence. Just past the end of this fence you will see a pair of paths entering the woods. Take the left path. As you walk down the path about 10 metres along look out on your left for an 8 trunked thick Willow tree about 12 paces in from the path. The Waypoint, Jenni’s Wood name sign, is out of sight behind this tree and approached from round the left of the tree via a gap in the surrounding spindly growth.
Make your way back to the path and continue past the fishing pond until you reach the approximate cache coordinates where, a short distance before the main path reaches the edge of the woods, you will see a path off on the right . One of the willow trees just up this path conceals the cache in a carefully camouflaged resting place - the hide has had to be restored after damage by vandals. The camo lid is now replaced and you lift it carefully using the protruding blunt nail. The lid is not as good a fit as the original please replace debris round the edges of the lid when leaving to hide it better. The plastic container has also been replaced - contains a pencil and a log sheet.
Please report any damage/maintenance required. Although there is not direct line of sight beware occasional muggles at the pond.
Please replace everything exactly how you found it - well covered and hidden from view.
The Saughall part of the name Saughall Massie has been recorded as deriving from salh and halh, meaning a place where sallows or willow shrubs grew or "Willow tree nook of land". Hence plenty of native willow trees were included as part of the 1993 Eco Project, as well as pine, ash, and beech trees. The geology of the area is of boulder clay lying over Keuper red marl Sandstone - hence some of the paths are often muddy after rain. The wood is adjacent to Arrowe Brook where alluvial deposits are found.
Hope you enjoyed your short walk through Jenny Wood’s wood. There is a second name sign to find if you continue your walk round the perimeter of the wood. Why not try the other nearby geocaches now and explore Saughall Massie village and the surrounding paths.