Thames Path - Poplar Trees Traditional Cache
Thames Path - Poplar Trees
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This cache has been placed to fill in a gap between some of the Lydford Locators excellent series of Thames Path caches on the western section of the Thames Path. This cache is on the Thames Path between their Waterhay (GCYW4H) and Hailstone Hill (GCYHEG) caches. Together with their Cricklade (GCYHEA) cache it offers the cacher willing to walk a few miles along the very pleasant Thames Path in this area three, or even four, caches for their effort. I offer my thanks to the Lydford Locators for their agreement to let me link this cache in with theirs in this way.
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.
I have always approached this cache location from the Waterhay car park at N51 38.322 W1 54.870 (SU 06015 93330). From here it is a walk along the Thames Path for 1.8 miles – even though your GPS will say that the cache is only 1 mile away the path does not take a direct route. However don’t be put off – if you like rural settings, and particularly fresh-water birds, this is a very pleasant walk. The Waterhay car park is also the suggested parking location for The Wombles’ Lonely Church (GCM7XG) cache – the fifth cache I ever found and still one of my favourites.
The cache can also be readily accessed from the parking suggested for the Lydford Locator’s Cricklade cache.
Given the name of the cache, poplar trees do have something to do with the location of the cache – as you approach you will see a line of these magnificent trees standing clear above the other trees in the area. The cache location is close to the path where it runs between the River Thames and a lake used for fishing and, according to the sign, for water-skiing.
I found the best way to approach the cache hide is to leave the Thames Path around 40m north-west of the cache location (N51 38.660 W1 53.591) where the path is only a few metres from the bank of the river (there is no fence here) and then make your way to the cache along the bank of the river. However there is going to be an issue with stinging nettles in the summer - so where long trousers and be brave!
Even though the Thames Path is flat and fairly well surfaced, boots are still appropriate unless the weather has been dry for a few days beforehand. If the weather has been very wet the river level can rise and flood the path in places making wellies a necessity.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va gur byq gerr fghzc.
Treasures
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