27/12/10 - Devauden Round - Annual Visit to Tintern

Walk length - 5 Miles
Number of Caches - 18 + 1 Bonus
Starting Cache - http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=aa9796b0-7cc9-460b-a3c4-025478f9818d

Fifth year on a row that I have been down to Tintern at Xmas time.  Wasn't sure what the weather would be like after 10 days of snow in the midlands and -17 temperatures.  The thaw is starting today, so rather than a traditional walk from the Abbey, I decided on a round of caches about six miles way at Devauden.

This is a short trail across farmland and in woods with expansive views across the Wye Valley.  Mr Jackoboy is obvioulsy a man with a sense of humour, as the caches were often in unusual containers - inlcuding a rubber rat, several hollowed out logs, drilled into a stone and a personal favourite - under trick dog poo - although I am not sure that bodes well for future hunting.

Parked up by the river and headed out in order, up the green lane past the church to take in 1 and 2.  Met some dog walkers at Number 3, so had to admire the view.

Nightendale Cottage View

Could tell that no-one else had been this way for a while, as I had virgin snow on the descent.  The snow made many of the caches a challenge, as they required digging out.  Fortunately, the clues on this series were all very specific.

Virgin Snow

Continued across farmland, where some hardy sheep were out in a couple of fields before getting to Ledw pool and finding somewhere to balance the camera for a self portrait.

Been going steadily downhill until this point, so have to climb back up, eventually into Chepstow Wood Park.  The caches get more dificult as the snow is deeper but the more interesting recepticles are now in play.... This is the highlight of the walk, not least for the old fella trying to ride a mountain bike through 6" of snow.

Get back to the car and then drive down to the Abbey for a look and record the ice flows, as the thaw has defrosted the Wye.  What a winter!



Henry the VIII - Wife murderer and lead thief from Abbeys.

I shouldnt have been surprised the downstairs Khazi froze up - Icebergs on the Wye.

So a stunning walk and I get closer to the magic 1000 caches.  Then I can retire.  Thanks to Mr Jackoboy for the well thought out and maintatined cache trail.