AESICA - GREAT CHESTERS FORT Traditional Geocache
AESICA - GREAT CHESTERS FORT
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Easy walk from Cawfields Quarry at Hole Gap or moderate walk from Walltown - alternatively about 6 mile circular walk from Hole Gap to Walltown, returning on low flat path.
Continue on from The King’s Well cache, parking near Walltown Farm or there is NT parking at Cawfields Quarry with limited free parking at N54 59.649 W002 26.813. Cross the road from the quarry and follow the path from the fingerpost, passing the lone building of Burnhead to the Great Chesters farm up on the ridge cold and exposed, the trees long gone to building and fuel and Aesica immediately adjacent to the farm to the south. Aesica was one of the major forts built along the wall, now comprising a 3 acre raised platform, covered with grass except for the turrets and central strong room - a hoard of beautiful Celtic jewellery was dug up from the west tower of the south gate only a century ago. A Milecastle site was discovered on the original Broad Wall and partly underlying the fort; the narrow wall was not built on broad foundations as at other forts but was built alongside and to the south, so the redundant Milecastle with its gateway would not be a weak point in the defences. As with most of the Wall forts the setting is everything and the awe is inspired with prior knowledge of previous transactions or a vivid imagination. From the scarp edge below the north-west tower it is just possible (with a little imagination) to pick out the wandering line of the aqueduct which carried water to the fort from Swallow Crags. The channel contours around the Caw and Pont Gallons Burns for six miles to reach the fort; the direct line would have been two but the Roman engineers wanted to avoid having to build too many bridges or embankments.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre n fgbar bhgfvqr bs gur ehvaf.