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This cache will take you through the Woodland Trust land of Clanger and Picket Woods. The
most noticeable feature are the stripes formed by bands of Larch
and Norway spruce planted through the original broad-leaved trees
of this truly ancient woodland. They were part of the Forest of
Welwood at the time of Doomsday in 1086, and by the 16th century
were among the few woods remaining in the royal hunting forest of
Westbury, the rest having been converted to farmland.
Their long history as managed hazel and oak coppice with oak
standards has resulted in a rich and varied wildlife. It is home to
300 species of moth, many lovely butterflies, including nationally
scarce silver-washed fritillary and purple hairstreak. Butterflies
love food plants such as common dog violet and primroses which can
be found in the wood. Other plants include devil’s bit scabious,
early purple orchid, moschatel, broad-leaved helleborine and marsh
thistles. Along the edges of some watercourses, ferns are abundant.
Conifers are being slowly removed and replaced with native
broad-leaved trees, which will eventually restore the site to its
former glory. Trees include oak, ash, field maple, willow and
birch. Woody shrubs include hawthorn and
hazel. |
On the evening of setting the cache no less than
six deer were observed grazing near the main path but a light foot
is required to get close. I look forward to seeing deer photographs
in your logs.
Ample off road parking is at the entrance of the wood located @
51°17.064'N, 2°11.055'W. The turning off the
A350 into the parking space is very easy to miss as it is not
sign posted.
THE HUNT:
Once parked at the posted coordinates, enter the wood via the
gate. Nearby on the right and in sight of the gate you will see the
Woodland Trust information board. This board is the virtual cache
location.
Read the board, locate the six digit number that is
displayed in the bottom-most right. Double check that you got the
right one ;-) Record this number in the form A B C D E F
The physical main cache is to be found at N51°17.(A)(B-F)(C+D)',
W002°10.(A)(E-F)(B)'.
The main cache is located beyond the trees and the
Woodland trust boundary. Accessible via public footpaths and no
fences need be breached as there are stiles. From the carpark you
can take the obvious route (the compacted stone track) or more
interestingly explore the many woodland pathways, see the map on
the information board for a clearer picture. Most of the woodland
paths (all those marked on the information board) loop around
back/cross to the stone central track at the end of which is the
stile that Geocachers are suggested to use. If you get lost, or
have no sense of direction like chief Rufty Tufty Boys then this
exit stile is located roughly at 51°17.438'N, 2°10.321'W. Your
looking for a 2litre lockable type Tupperware box which is decked
out in camouflage to resist the gaze of geomuggles.
The co-ords accuracy is within 3 metres (using
EGNOS Corrections) and in a good signal area so you should find the
location easily..
Please replace and hide the cache well, obscuring
from plain view.
Thank you and Happy Caching..
www.stonefisk.com