A quick video of our family trip the Russell in the Far North

One the way to pick Cath up from work I did two quick caches B & B– Brickbats & Bouquets # 2 (Auckland) We had spent over an hour here before and could not find the cache but knowing that Glenn had replaced it I tried again and quickly had the little cache in my hand.

The 2nd cache of the day Helga’s Holiday (Auckland) was just down the road time was getting close to pick up time for Cath but I had a quick walk and within seconds had the cache in my hands. this one is a great hide and well worth the little walk to get it. Here is the view at GZ

** Kev **

With a long drive in front of us and confident in the knowledge we had sneaked passed Kiwifamily we decided to only grab a few caches on the way back home, in particular the two in Kawakawa we didn’t have time to find the last time we were up here.  The first one was GC2RXEJ The Enterance To Kawakawa (Kawakawa).  Reading the tip we were looking for a certain disguise but after having no luck and me reading through the logs the owner had changed the container while repairing the original.  With this knowledge Kev zeroed in and found it in no time.

Inside the township was the famous Hundertwasser’s Kawakawa Toilets where GC12XAJ Cyber Hundt for the IP Address in Kawakawa (Nland) was hidden behind.  As we approached a tourist bus was there and people were snapping away on their camera.  We walked pass to the back and was able to search with no muggles around – which was lucky as this was a tricky little hide!  In the end I found it and here I am at the back of the toilets.

This is Kev at the front.

We wanted to stop in and visit family at Mangawhai so decided to grab just two more caches in Waipu on the way.  The first one GC2E2NJ Fairy Tern (Northland).  We had the whole estuary to ourselves and searched where our GPS and hint led us too.  We looked and looked but just couldn’t find it.  It was only found at the beginning of the month and logs mentioned how easy it was, so I am suspected it is missing.  I have added it to the watch list to see how the next load of people go.  Very disappointing as it is our first DNF for the weekend! 

The next one was further along the road and took us to a beautiful beach, GCH6PD Waipu cove views (Northland).  James couldn’t resist and had a good run around on the sand and went shell collecting.

It was now time to go geocaching so Kev Snr, James and I started the walk around.  We searched here, there and everywhere and realised we had to climb to the top of the hill.  The tide was in so we had to jump on rocks to get over the water.  It was a bit steep and slippery but we managed to get to the top of the hill.  Once up top James made an easy find and we were rewarded with an amazing water view.  James also retrieved a dinosaur as a finders fee!

Back at the bottom we had enough time for James to have a quick swing.

As we were walking back to the car I noticed something unusual on the sand.  It must be some sort of sea sponge but it looks just like a brain!

With family to visit and still a long drive back to Auckland we called it a geocaching day.  When we arrived home we noticed Kiwifamily had snuck back in front!  With the Hamilton event Winter Catch up (Waikato) this Saturday, Kevs_Team is already planning a busy cache run to get back infront!

Until next time!

*** Cath ***

Today we were attending the GC2T8QJ Far (Winterless) North ‘Cache Up’ event.  Yesterday with a packed car we drove up from Auckland to Russell.  It was a family trip with Kev and I, Kev Snr (Dad), Ann (Mum) and James (5 year old nephew).  We were planning on doing some caches on the way up but the rain put a stop to that plan.  The morning was clear and sunny and we wanted to do the “Russell Seat Series” before taking the ferry across to the mainland.

Just up the road where we were staying was the cache GC2E4A7 Queen’s View Seat (Bay of Islands).  This was a seat planted on top of the hill overlooking the water below.  It was a quick find and a great start to our day.  Here is Kev and James and Kev Snr signing the log.

The next seat cache GC2E49K Farmer Stan’s Seat (Bay of Islands) took us to the beach we could see from the above cache.  The beach was empty and the seat was right at the end.  We gave James a head start and he and Granddad started the search.  James found this one and he celebrated by having a quick jump on the sand.

The next seat GC2E2F1 Mary’s Seat (Bay of Islands) took us back up to the top of the hill again and pass our house and at the corner of the road.  To be honest, if we were feeling energetic we could have easily walked to this cache and GC2E4A7 Queen’s View Seat (Bay of Islands) as our house was right in the middle of these two.  If you read the cache it suggests you park at the bottom of the hill and walk up the “zig zag” track but lets face it, we didn’t even walk the straight path from the house so walking up the hill was a no go!  This cache was a little different from the other two seat caches but Kev managed to find it in the end.

The final seat cache GC2F87V Mrs Woodcock’s Seat (Bay of Islands) was our favourite.  It is dedicated to an ex teacher of Russell who died age 97.  The seat is outside her house which her son now lives and he decorated the seat.  When we approached he was in the driveway and I was apprehensive to get out and told Kev to wait until he left.  Kev being Kev got out of the car and had a chitchat and naturally the son knew all about the cache.  All the boys went looking in-between admiring the seat and when I joined in I found it instantly!  Here is Kev and James on one of the best seats I have ever seen. 

It was time to get on the ferry and head off to GC2T8QJ Far (Winterless) North ‘Cache Up’ which was in a small local pub at Ohaeawai (The Ohaeawai Hotel).  Arriving a bit earlier than expected and since the pub didn’t open the doors until 12, we had no choice but to do a few geocaches.  We travelled further up North to Kaikohe and set our sights on three caches along a popular dog walking track.  The first one was GC2TNEV Sniff (Far North).  It was here when we met up with fellow cachers tikitour and flowernz (both who were also attending the event).  The area was a bit trashy and overgrown but eventually I found the cache.

Kev needed to buy an extension lead and James was getting peckish, so the family took off down the road to The Warehouse and McDonalds while I stayed back with the ladies to walk off to the next cache GC2TNEQ Scratch (Far North).  Not one of my favourite types of hides, when it is placed in flaxes – always so tricky!  Luckily one of the ladies found it so all I had to do was sign my name to the log sheet.  Oh I even managed to get a photo of me, one of the few as I’m always the one taking the photos of the boys  It’s one of my favourite features about the iPhone4 – I can do reverse photos and as you can see, while I was busy taking my photo flowernz and tikitour were doing the hard work searching hehe.

The final cache of the series was GC2TNEM Woof (Far North).  We started to walk to it but noticed where our GPS’s was pointing it was extremely muddy.  We decided to take the car and just as we approached the road Kev turned up.  I jumped in the car and we drove down the road but came across a fallen tree blocking it.  With not much time until the event and Kev wanting to set up etc we decided to stop the search and leave the ladies to it (who stayed a bit longer but called it off too).  I noticed quite a few people after the event managed to find all three of the dog walk series.

Back to Ohaeawai for the GC2T8QJ Far (Winterless) North ‘Cache Up’ event.  This was organised by CHLYBN who was also the owner of the dog walk series.  We stayed for a couple of hours and had a great time!  There must have been about 10 – 15 different geocacher/s there. It was nice meeting everyone, mostly Northlanders with just another Auckland couple there.  Lots of travel bugs were waiting to be discovered.

During the event I heard rumours a local cache had been published.  I checked on my iPhone and noticed GC2XZ23 Bubble Bubble  had popped up.  With just us and CHLYBN family left we decided to go together and get the cache – and lucky we did as we almost ended up in the Northland Prison after a directional mishap.  When we arrived down the long, dusty and stinky road (sulphur) we noticed a convoy of cars and some cachers running down the path.  We joined in and followed them down the slippery path.  At the end of the track the cache was already in hand and the locals were discussing they didn’t even know such a large bubbling lake existed here.  Almost a joint FTF but we weren’t quite quick enough this time!

After saying goodbye once again we hit the road to get back to Russell.  On the way we past a beautiful little church that had a geocache out the front, GC1TRC9 Holy Trinity (Northland).  A nice quick find by our youngest member, James.

Approaching our 700th find Kev sent a twitter to our closest competitors Kiwifamily noting we were about to achieve the milestone.  They replied back they already had and were in fact on #701!  Kev sent him a cheeky pic and we were on a mission to finish the day on 702!

The next one along the journey was GCGMDM Boathouse View (Northland).  This one was a bit of a walk but the views were great and the find easy, especially since we brought along James who was on a roll!  Kev Snr and James enjoyed taking little breaks to admire the Haruru Falls and the kayakers. 

This is James going through the gate (dog free zone due to kiwis) and him showing off his find.

Our next cache was one Kev and I failed to find the last time we were up here, about a year ago, GC13AHE hontas (Northland). Its a beautiful isolated and rocky entrance to Wairoa Bay just pass Waitangi.  With only one or two muggles out in the water the boys went down and retrieved the cache in the boat shed with no problems – definitely wasn’t here the last time we tried.  Yay our #700 find!

A quick drive to Paihia and we needed a coffee break, oh and some fudge and ice-cream!

With our tummies full it was time to get another cache we DNF last time we were here, GC1G0M7 Tomb of Memories (Northland).  Yet again we were at another beautiful church.  We walked around to the tombs and found the cache in no time.  Last year this cache was missing because we wouldn’t have missed it if it was there. 

With one more cache to go to overtake Kiwifamily, we went off to another cemetery to find GC1G0N2 A View To Die For! (Northland).  Kev Snr, James and I went off to search for this one.  It took us a while and we gave up to return to the car just for Kev to remind us we needed one more find.  We went back into the tree lined path and focused on the area our GPS narrowed down for us.  With a few lifting and moving Kev Snr noticed something and thankfully it was the cache! 

It was time to catch the ferry and return back to Russell.  Just one more thing to do, send a pic off to Kiwifamily to tell them we were one infront! 

A end to a great day!

*** Cath ***

Queen’s birthday weekend and a few  of us decided to catch up to do a group cache run.  We chose Saturday morning and were  to meet at 9am out at Orakei.  Earlier that morning Kai sent out the twitter to cancel due to weather. After a few more tweets some of us decided to still meet up at 10am and chance it.  Kev and I met up with Kai (Kai_Gotti) and Paul (bluedahlia.co.nz) at GC27M2B Orient Express (Auckland).  A great parking spot nearby and a nice easy find.  After discussing where to go next we all piled up in our car to go on the hunt.

The next cache we went for was GC10EY9 The Johnny B Cash (Auckland).  We drove down to the nearby parking and walked around with our GPS’s.  It told us to go up the hill so Kai and I went up the muddy slippery slope.  I just made the first little hump and turned around while Kai kept going.  We then realised we had parked at the wrong end and it was on the other side – typical way we geocache, making it a lot harder than it needs to be!  Here I am at the wrong side!

Kev drove us to the right spot and stayed in the car while the rest of us went up the hill (Kev will like me to mention he is still suffering from his knee injury).  Up the hill and within seconds Paul found the cache.  The rain had started up again, just a little drizzle but it didn’t damper the great view of the basin.

We noticed there was another cache GCTY0F Orakei Basin Hideaway (Auckland) along the basin reserve so went off for the 200m+ one way walk, in the rain!  I can’t remember who found this cache, I think it was Paul again.  Lucky it didn’t take long as the rain wasn’t easing – a consistent light drizzle.

We went back to Kev, a little wet, but ready to continue the caching.  We took a little drive to get to GC1Q59J Legend of Pau Tato meets bro Rangi-Tato (re-done).  This cache was a little tricky, we just didn’t know where to go as our GPS’s were going crazy.  After reading the logs and changing directions we figured out the likely spot and Kai got there quickly to claim the find.

Another short drive lend us to a walkway and deserted area next to the train tracks for GC24Y7F Nuts! (Auckland).  Kev stayed behind as we went walking along the muddy grassy walkway.  It was very slippery so we all walked carefully searching for this cache.  After a few good minutes I finally found a cache!  A cool disguise and suits it name perfectly.

The next cache was GC28Z7T The Purewa funeral (Auckland).  Once again we had trouble locating this cache due to coordinates being a bit out.  We searched where we thought it should be but had no luck.  We were about to give up when Paul had it in his hand.  He had to expand the search area and lucky he did, another smiling face for us!

A short walk down the road lend us to GC2MX5F The Last Ride (Auckland).  This is a lovely little area fill with massive big trees with excellent nooks and crannies to hide the cache, but none of us could find it!  We looked in the obvious, the non-obvious, expanded the search area, all with no luck.  It was a shame to post our first DNF for the day and especially as it was Paul’s last for the day.  Have to try for this one another time.

After dropping Paul back to the car, Kai and us decided to do just a couple more before going out for lunch.  The rain wasn’t stopping now so we wanted easy drive-bys.  We went for GC2GF15 Laminated Bridge (Auckland).  Unfortunately it wasn’t a quick find so Kai and I were getting wet while Kev was nice and warm in the car.  Fortunately Kai found it so we could return to the car. 

We decided to call it a day as the rain was so persistent but we just couldn’t resist a nearby cache a very short drive away GCX577 A Bit Ducky (Auckland) .  Yet again, not a quick easy find, Kai and I were walking around in circles trying to locate it.  This time I found it and since it was a large container, decided to drop off the travel bug Rolly.  On a nice day, this would be a beautiful spot with the water and ducks swimming by.  On a rainy day you really don’t want to stick around!

With Kai and I wet and cold (Kev warm and toasty) we decided to go get coffee and something to eat.  A great day caching with friends!  Next weekend we are off up north to attend GC2T8QJ Far (Winterless) North ‘Cache Up’ – can’t wait!

*** Cath ***

Last night a local cache was published GC2XBER Behind the Hall (Auckland).  As Kev and I were already settled in the night and didn’t fancy going out in the dark we left the FTF for someone else to get.  The next day when I was at work Kev went to get it.  A geocaching trail was evident and lead him to the cache.  He left the travel bug Lambville Racer and retrieved Rolly.  Kev said there is a great park next to this cache.

And this is Rolly.

Later that evening Kev and I went to the movies – Hangover 2 (great movie!).  As we were going home Kev said should we get GC2W0NJ Gone With The Wind. (Auckland).  This cache has been bugging Kev as we often drive pass it but never go get it.  As it was late we had no problem with parking or muggles in this highly visible area.  We were lucky as we needed quite a bit of time to walk up and down and look everywhere.  Lucky our tummies were fill coz the aroma of Nando’s, Pizza Hut and Burger Fuel was very enticing!  Yet again Kev found this cache – his skills have definitely improved hehe.  Here he is pointing to the food sign. 

A end to a great night and a warm up for our cache group run this weekend.

*** Cath ***