Loop-line Cache - GC24VHK

 After ending up caching in the dark last night, I decided to revisit this area in the light today to clean up the remaining caches. I parked next to the church in Monton Green and soon discovered the footpath along the old railway line. I've been on the other end of this path in Worsley, but never here before - they've made a really good job of it and I, like many others, didn't even know it was here. I'll probably come back for a bike ride along it's full length sometime as it's nice and flat.

It soon became evident that I was walking along a raised embankment with quite steep sides and, as I knew iI needed to scramble to the bottom, I began to fear the worse. Some of the place were very steep indeed - was it going to be tricky for a fat old bloke to get down?

As I approached GZ I quickly spotted the fallen tree and I breathed a sigh of relief to find that it was on the slightly less steep side facing the golf course. There were a few trees which aided my slip down to the cache but I'm afraid I left a few muddy skid marks which the next cachers may see if they come soon. Fortunately I didn't sit down or fall on my backside as I would have got pretty muddy doing this.

Once at GZ I managed to find the cache fairly quickly, although I was always standing on a slope or soft ground and I nearly toppled once or twice. A great place and I enjoyed the challenge of getting there.

Into the wood - 3 of 4 - GC29VPF

Well this was definitely going to be the fourth and last cache of the day, as it was very dark when I entered the Woods tonight. There were still a few people out walking dogs as it was only 7pm, but I knew finding a cache was going to be difficult without a torch. I know the area as I've done other caches in the vicinity and I've been past the lovely old house before. Tonight it looked even more fabulous in the fading light as I could see into the front room which was filled with books and old wooden furniture - it could easily be Albus Dumbledore's country cottage!

I carried on further 'into the wood' and my GPSr beeped for being at ground zero - then I just had to start looking. Well actually more feeling then looking as I really couldn't see that much. I tried several areas without luck and was about to give up defeated by the dark when I decided to widen my search and have one last try. Eureka! I put my hand into a smelly patch of water and out came the cache and few sticks. Fortunately the contents were dry and so I signed the log by the light of my phone.

A great place and one I'm sure I'll return to in the light.

Wadsworth's Boundary - GC2G705

This was my third cache find this evening after doing two previous caches in Worsley and the woods. It was starting to get a little dark but I decided to go for it anyway. I found the path to the left of the cricket club entrance and was soon making my way through the many branches towards GZ. 

I found the exact place using the hint and signed the log whilst leaning on the cricket club fence, watched by a passing dog walker I'm sure. I was very tempted to take the torch but, as I didn't have anything to leave in its place, decided against it. "If I hurry up, I might just manage one more cache before it's completely dark", I thought as I quickly made my way back to the car.

Bethany's secret - 1 of 4 - GC29VN4

 This was my second find of the evening in the Worsley area. I parked on the edge of Roe Green and walked back towards the cricket and tennis clubs to the start of the woodland trail.

The wooden flower sculptures that appear at intervals along the path are wonderful, and they came in very useful for me when I had to explain what I was doing lurking in the woods to some passing muggles. "I'm just taking pictures of the sculptures", I said and I think they believed me.

I found the cache fairly quickly and signed the log. It's a great place and I'm sure I'll be back.

This Daughter Likes To Live In The Fast Lane - GC29RE

I parked in the layby outside St. Mark's Church a little further up the road as the car park here is now a 'Pay and Display' type when it used to be free. I hate paying for parking especially when I'm not going to be very long, but I also don't like risking getting caught without paying - so I'd rather walk a little further.

At first I set off on the wrong side of the canal and so I had to retrace my steps to get over it and on to the right side. I took a few pictures of the arched road bridge over the canal and the derrick which I think is used to lift the wooden gate into the canal when it needs draining. Once on the correct path I made for the motorway bridges and had no difficulty in finding the cache.

A great historic location with lots of interesting things to see, even if you're not caching.