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Bloodybush toll pillar Traditional Geocache

Hidden : 7/21/2010
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This cache lies 5 miles from and 700 ft above the nearest car park and is on the Anglo Scottish border (no passports required). It is near a fascinating old toll pillar on Larriston Fell. It is on a mountain bike / walking trail and can be started either on the English or Scottish side but the description below assumes starting on the English side.

This cache was placed in by our very good friend Northumbria Biker who looked after it until late 2021, when we were privileged to adopt it (thanks Norman) and hopefully keep it active for many more years.

Parking is at the Lewisburn car park in the Kielder Water and Forest Park (click on the above website for details of the park). Approaching Kielder Water from Bellingham you will pass the main Information Centre at Tower Knowe. From here you continue on the road towards Kielder village for just over 5 miles until you see the left turn for Lewisburn which is well signposted and is just before a bridge.The car park lies nearly a mile up a track which starts as surfaced but soon deteriorates. The route lies on good, marked tracks and paths but it is a long walk and mountain bike is the recommended mode of travel (allow the best part of an hour). The moors can be wild and inhospitable especially in bad weather which you can get at any time of the year. From the car park follow the purple arrows which are often labelled Cross Border Route (but beware, there are two cross border routes). The track climbs continually up the North side of the Akenshaw Burn. Don't be tempted to drop down to the left and cross the burn. The wide track continues upwards until at a right bend the route goes straight on up a lesser track (purple arrow). After a wooden bridge it deteriorates into a single track which finally emerges onto open ground when the toll pillar and the distant radio most can be seen. This used to be a drove road from Scotland over into England used to bring cattle, sheep and horses to market and to take coal in the opposite direction. The owners of the land decided to levy a toll on those using the road and details are shown on the pillar - cattle 1d (ie old penny) each. The several sturdy old stone bridges testify to the importance of this old road. The initial cache includes TB NMC which wants to stay in the county and visit every geocache there.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Vf gurer n pngpu? Guvax nobhg vg.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)