Thames Path - Old Ashton Keynes (Wiltshire) Traditional Cache
Lydford Locators: New multi-stage cache which incorporates more of the village will be published to replace this muggled cache.
Thames Path - Old Ashton Keynes (Wiltshire)
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
(small)
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A simple traditional cache, hidden near the lovely Cotswold village of Ashton Keynes in Wiltshire. There is parking available on the main road (B4696) at N51 38.768 W001 56.515. The cache box is a small twin-lock sandwich box in a camo bag.
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The Thames Path follows England's best known river for 184 miles (294km) as it meanders from its source in the Cotswolds through several rural counties and on to the City of London. On its way the Trail passes peaceful water meadows rich in wildlife, historic towns and many lovely villages, finishing at the Thames Barrier near Greenwich.
Ashton Keynes has always suffered from flooding, and the River Thames that flows along beside High Road and crosses under Gosditch Street by the little bridge was prone to washing down to the School and beyond. Villagers expected to be flooded every winter although the water could be controlled and directed to some extent by opening and closing 'hatches' on the river, People talked of keeping their back door and front door open so the water flowed straight through, and of a foot of water standing indoors for weeks. As late as 1924 there were 23 children absent from school in June when the houses in the Derry just south of the Horse and Jockey were marooned in their bedrooms after a night of storms. Ditches all round the village helped to channel the water, but as these were also used as a place to tip household rubbish and the privies drained into them - there was always a serious public health problem in Gosditch Street.
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Very near the cache, at N51 38.632 W001 56.451, you will find the Horse and Jockey pub, which in years gone by was a "scrumpy house", selling cider made from the apples from the orchards in the village. The Horse and Jockey saw service during the second world war as a watering hole not only for soldiers on home leave, but for the United States and Canadian forces billeted in large houses in the village. Beer was scarce and when it ran out all had to drink the local cider. The American servicemen often bought cider at the Horse and Jockey by the enamel bucketful.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Nobir urnq urvtug va na vil pbirerq gerr.
Treasures
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