The Little Bridges series was started by Stanthews in 2009 to highlight small footbridges in remote parts of Wiltshire. Since then the series has been expanded by others all over the country and starting to spread fast, Damian from Winter Foxes has created and updates a list of cachers who has found 10 or more little bridges and can be found here, if you would like to add to the series, please contact Stan here and he will give you a number for your bridge, to qualify, the bridge must be a foot bridge too small for vehicles, please make sure your title exactly matches “Little Bridges # xx then name” including spaces so it will get picked up and added to Damian’s list.
Hill-man has returned north again, heading for a better campsite than last year's (2012/2013), the spring snow did not suit at all. He has at last given up notions of vast wealth to be gained from mining, it has been pointed out to him that the last successful mine closed nearly a hundred years ago. Quarrying seems like too much hard work for not much return. Recently he has heard from "a good source, yessir" that there is money to be made from sheep farming, so now has plans to become a hill shepherd. Oh dear, after last spring? Good stock ground is low down on the Isle of Man, the moorland up here is pretty poor, even for tough breeds like the Blackface or Cheviot, let alone big animals such as Leicesters, Cluns etc. The more modern breeds (Charollais etc) are beyond his knowledge, being somewhat old fashioned in his ways. There are old sheepfolds and even the remains of ancient shielings to be found on the hills around this area, Hill-man is not the first to try and survive up here. If he has the means to hunt them, some pickings might be had from hares, partridge and other game, one just hopes he has the necessary licence! The heather benefits from the occasional burning, allowing new shoots to come up, after the old woody tops have been removed by flash burning. A slow, deep burn is disastrous, very little soil being left for the next growth to start. This has been seen several times in the past years, the great fire of Bradda springs to mind. Some areas there are still to recover after a decade or so. Hill-man must take care, the water authority will not take kindly to pollution of Sulby reservoir. At least his fishing permit from Cringle reservoir should still be valid.
When crossing the moorland to approach this cache try to avoid the areas of bright green sedge, Hill-man nearly became Bog-man, sinking to his knees in a couple of places. He really needs to use glasses or keep his eyes to the ground! Please note, the cache is NOT in, on or under the bridge. Stand at the north side of the bridge with your back to it, you are more or less facing the cache which is a decon box in an old camo bag.
Congratulations dreeder75, FTF on a poor weather day!