19/02/12 - Cotswolds Caching with Company

Distance - 8 Miles
Geocaches - 26 on trail, 21 found
First Cache


I didn't need much of an excuse to go back to possibly my favourite walking country but a new trail of 24 caches sealed the deal.  That and promised good weather and a caching buddy (who distinctly lost interest once the sandwiches were consumed) had us out the door, getting the snow of the car and heading down to the Cotswolds under beautiful blue skies.

40 minutes later and the ubiquitous request for facilities.  Broadway provided.

On the road less than an hour

Soon at Snowshill.  I didn't know that they had free parking here, but took full advantage.  Quick drop down into the pretty village, grabbing the 1st cache of the day.

Church, opposite the pub.  Cache in the big red thing

We soon find the first cache in the trail and the reason that we are here.  Won't describe all caches as we will be here all day (and the pub is open) so lets describe the trail.  The boxes are well spaced out at locations where you need to navigate.  Mainly lock boxes with a few cheeky nanos and it may have been ennui following the sandwiches, but they seemed to get harder.  All our DNFs came after lunch in Stanway.  There are bonus co-ords to be collected and you won't be disappointed when you find the booty.

Importantly, the trail takes you through britain at its best.  so lets continue on the walk and add some advice for cache number 2.

Cache 1 leads us onto good paths through horse grazing fields.  Great views. 

Smattering of snow

My eyes were down on the GPS looking for cache 2 when we could hear some shouting behind us.  You need to go through a gate, rather than follow the natural course.  Lady horsekeeper was keen that we followed the correct track but she may have been better served by replacing the footpath signs that were obviously chipped off.  We continued down and I retrieved the cache, only to look behind and see that she was following us down the track - keeping an eye on our nefarious activities.  I had to march on with the cache under my arm, wait 10 mins, assume an alternative indentity by removing my hat and march back to replace.  I think this lady will have a keen eye on geocachers in the future - and you can't just sneak down without raising suspicion as two rotties guard the top gate.  All plain sailing on the caches after this.

Cache 5 took a bit of hunting, so rewarded with a Geocoin drop and Sonia rewarded herself with Malt loaf whilst I did the hard work.

Mappiman no longer disguised

We enjoyed the paths through Lidocombe woods, although we were not too sure about the sinister, repetitive booming noised that we go ever closer to.  Cache located right next to it.  Turns out its a pump for a fountain but in our opinion it was noise pollution.

Lidcombe Woods - Nice paths, strange noises.

Through the woods and it opens out to nice views of the Papermill Farm valley.

Up the ISO settings at the detriment of the background.

Little bit of roadwalking, as we work our way to Stanway.  No problem, as there is a footpath.  Stanway and Stanton make up two of the Cotswolds finest villages and it gave me a chance to revisit the Cotswold way, which I walked in 2007.   Architecture photos are on the everytrail link above, but believe me, its pretty.

Cross the grounds of Stanway House all the way into Stanton, the bigger of the two.

Shine a light

Sonia gets a wriggle - sandwich time

We work our way through the village and get our first DNF of the day in the phone box.  Stop for the sarnies at a conveniently placed bench overlooking the green.  One house is for sale and the other is for rent.  I imagine that Sonia will be looking and I could go for it, as the Mount Inn is just up the way.

We then have a stiff climb up to Shenberrow hill.  The beauty, of course, is that we are rewarded with stunning views over the vale of evesham.

Big Skies

Our caching quality drops.  We have a few DNFs caused by tricky caches and an increasing amount of muggles - including a full on picnic at a future GZ.  I don't mind, as the lunch break has allowed me to plot the bonus, and I have high hopes of success.

Back towards Snowshill.

We get to the final cache location and have to think of something to do before retrieval, as muggles are coming from all directions.

Quick, hide the cache and dont look suspicious

The joy of caching

Hide the bounty and head back into Snowshill.  Will it have a tea shop?  Are we too dirty for the pub?  Unfortunate answers are no and yes but this is a minor inconvenience. 

We get back to the car feeling good about the world.  Sonia wacks on the seat heaters and has a good look at the inside of her eyelids on the way home.

A great walk.  Thanks to Griff Grof for a wonderful series.