NB: It's to the WEST of the Old Bedford River - NOT in 'the washes' in-between the rivers. From Sutton, it is the public footpath, to the left, AFTER you've crossed both rivers (New Bedford and the River Delph). *OR find the cache STop for a drink,,, then follow THAT footpath to Hard to Swallow caches)*. As you walk towards GZ, you'll also see some water to your right - this is called the 'Counter Drain'. DO NOT try and get closer to the cache by driving down 'Bedingham's Drove'. You may get within 100ft of the cache - but there's a whopping great drain to cross to get to it!! I have put 'stroller accessible' in the attributes, but be aware that you will have to carry the buggy over the stile first .. and the track MAY be muddy if there's been a lot of rain. If it's dry, then it should be fine.
As always, please be aware when retrieving and replacing the cache, of people walking their dogs.
A feature of the Fens known as 'The Gullet' has seen several controversial experiments to prove theories that some found 'Hard to Swallow'...
Flat-Earth Experiment: 1870
Believe it or not, even in modern times, people have thought the earth to be flat (Although the famous astronomer Edmund Halley thought it was a hollow sphere.....)
The experiment took place on the Old Bedford River - the artificial canal dug in 1650 by Dutch Engineer Cornelius Vermuyden to drain the fens.
The idea was to set out three equally spaced markers at the same height above the water and sight from the first to the last over a distance of 6 miles. The middle marker clearly appeared about 5 ft above the line of sight - which Wallace said proved that the surface of the water was curved. (ie the earth really is round and not flat)
He didn't win the £500 bet, however, and was hounded for years by the flat-earth 'nutter' who had put up the bet!
A couple of Wallace's letters can be seen on the internet HERE
Exactly where on the river the experiment was done is not clear, but the cache is lying next to part of the river that was certainly involved.