{"id":512,"date":"2022-09-08T14:38:05","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T14:38:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/triskelepublishing.com\/weirdstonewalk\/?page_id=512"},"modified":"2022-09-08T16:19:16","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T16:19:16","slug":"capesthorne-game-covert-parkland","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/triskelepublishing.com\/weirdstonewalk\/capesthorne-game-covert-parkland\/","title":{"rendered":"Capesthorne Game Covert & Parkland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Approximate Location<\/strong>
OS Grid Reference: SJ 85054 73079
Latitude \/ Longitude: 53\u00b015\u203216\u2033N , 002\u00b013\u203232\u2033W<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A long north-south orientated plantation of mixed woodland. In Weirdstone, Chapter 17 – Mara<\/em>, the fugitives used the covert whilst making their way from the Bagbrook<\/a> to Redesmere<\/a>. Alan Garner<\/a> described the the northern sector of the wood as featuring larches, whilst to the south were firs: “specimens of Gowther’s despised ‘trees on parade<\/em>‘.” The southern end of the wood had a number of ponds and then a plank crossing a ditch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Trees on parade” at the south end of the game covert, looking north-east (Credit: James Wright)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this point, the travellers realised that the Fimbulwinter was almost upon them and decided to wait until the storm provided cover to reach the nearest patch of woodland “a quarter of a mile away across open country that offered no scrap of cover<\/em>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Parkland to the south of the game covert, looking south-west across the shallow valley towards Redesmere<\/a> (Credit: James Wright)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, the veracity of the storm was so great that they got caught between the two patches of woodland and were forced to take shelter: “It was the shallowest of valleys. They bounced over the edge, and were dropped by the storm as it leapt across the gap. Close to where they landed a fallen tree threw up soil-clogged roots, a natural shield against the wind<\/em>.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Towards nightfall, Fenodyree and Gowther made a reconnaissance from their hiding place as far as the meeting of the Congleton Road and a trackway which led along the east bank of Redesmere<\/a>. On their return journey they encountered the tracks of the mara; which Susan and Durathror themselves witnessed walking close by. The fugitives were then forced into the blind run which took them to Redesmere<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Locations<\/a><\/blockquote>