KING'S WICKET Letterbox Hybrid
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Moderate hike along the low path with one gradual ascent or a couple of ups and downs along the higher path.
WE NEVER PLACE CACHES IN DRY STONE WALLS.
THIS IS A LETTERBOX – PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THE STAMP – IT IS NOT A SWAP. Approaching from Housesteads car park follow the wall from Housesteads off to the right, above the Knag Burn valley, and into a mixed coppice beside a majestic Clayton dry-stone reconstruction of the Roman Wall. The first hill iS Kennel Crags (the slope clear of scrub), the second Clew Hill, the wall then slips over King’s Hill beside the trimly crafted field-wall into Busy Gap – the handgate on the rise is known as King’s Wicket – a further reference to King Arthur along the course of the Wall? The causeway leading north through the moss was an ancient thorough-fare. In medieval times people of a thieving disposition entered Tynedale via this route. The ‘moss troopers’ were known as Busy Gap Rogues, a moss trooper being an inhabitant of this wild mare country (no connection I’m sure to a much esteemed local cacher). For the low path go through the Roman gateway at the top of Knag Burn valley and walk along behind the three Hills. The gateway is flanked by guardrooms and appears to have been inserted after the fort’s north gate was closed and may have had mixed military and civilian purposes. Downstream at Knag burn valley there is a well (fenced off) and a lime kiln – the only Roman lime kiln to have been discovered. Bearing in mind the sheer quantity of mortar needed to create the Wall there must have been many more lime kilns dotted around the area, with its copious supplies of timber and coal for fuel – which begs the question why did it take so long to re-invent for 'soil sweetening’ purposes in the 19th century since the technique and structural detail are the same. Either way the views are grand – make it a circular or follow the dictates of the weather.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va n qrrc ubyr va gur fvqr bs gur onax.
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