A quick run down on the numbers…

7 days (Sunday January 2nd to Saturday January 8th)

1457 kms

78 found caches – including 5 Earth (1 rejected), 2 Multi’s, 1 Whereigo

4 DNF’s

4 meet ups with fellow geocachers (2 while caching, and 2 we met up for coffee)

and one long beautiful trip away from Auckland and work!

*** Caching Cath ***

Yesterday we should have arrived back home but due to Kev’s sore back, we spent a night in Taupo.  As I was cooking breakfast and packing up, Kev was taking photos from our deck, what a great view!

We decided to have an easy day and just do a few caches on the long drive home.  The next three caches were all close to each other and the only ones we would do in Taupo today.  The first one GC248YB Pachyderm Poser (Central Plateau) would have been trickier to find if the usual amount of muggles were about, but being 8am in the morning, it was no problem finding it. 

As Kev was getting our coffee was the marina, I walked down the road to get GC2GVRE Floatplane (Bay of Plenty).  A nice easy find and I was lucky enough to see some people getting into the floatplane.

Just a little drive up the road took us to the next cache GC2GVT8 Taupo Titanic (Bay of Plenty). This was a lookout at the marina.  Kev and I both searched for awhile on this one, up and down, round and round, and I eventually found it.  We took the travel bug Lost My Memory Travel Bug.

We ignored all the caches we were passing but stopped in for GC1XYWN The Hub (South Waikato).  It was lunchtime and I expected a few people about, but the centre was completely dead.  After a search on my hands and knees, I came up with the cache.

We also couldn’t resist the next cache which was at a rest stop, GC2GDCY The Giant Steps (Waikato).  I think they really are giants steps! This was another quick find and I left the travel bug MOZZIE TB and took Taku the Tuatara which unfortunately I was taking in the wrong direction it wanted to go too!

Our very last cache of the day was GC22AD3 Welcome to Cambridge via SH1B (Waikato).  The coordinates were way out for this one but there was only a few places it could be so I found it easily.  I was so tired of caching by now I completely forgot to take a picture!

A couple of hours left to drive and we were back home, so nice to be back in our own bed!

*** Caching Cath ***

We both woke this morning with sore backs, cabin bed mattresses are not really that supportive (I ended up putting my mattress on the floor and sleeping there).  We decided the best thing to do was drive to Taupo and get a nice breakfast.  As we approached we decided to quickly pull in to the look out spot and get GCJM77 Plane View (Bay of Plenty).  It was hidden in a huge flax, and lucky for us, as we arrived we noticed a suspicious family looking around the flax.  We drove up and asked if they found it, which they replied yes and they were putting it back.  We asked them to pass it so we could add our name – what a great way to start the day -  caches being passed to us!  We got out of the car and had a quick chat with the taybee family – nice meeting you!

We pulled in to the cafe’s along the waterfront and both had a delicious breakfast and coffee.

That coffee sure did put a smile on Kev’s face but he was suffering from terrible back pain and we were debating whether to go home or spend a night in Taupo.  I got on the iPad and started searching for accommodation.  We chose Karaka Tree Motel but as we mentioned we wanted a spa pool they informed us there’s had just broken down – what a shame.  They recommended another place, Gables Motor Lodge where I left a glowing review as we loved the place.  The bed was perfect for Kev’s back, we had a great view of the lake, we had a huge private spa and just across the road was a gelato cart! They even got the room ready for us so we could rest up at the much earlier check-in time of 10am!  Kev relaxed as I unpacked the car then we had a nice soak in the hot spa pool.  After a good rest we went off to get just a few more caches for the day.

We drove to the Huka Falls and got the Earth cache GC1QC2W HUKA FALLS.  I love this place and it’s always so busy!

I left Kev to take some photos and go rest in the car as I tackled the cache GC2HX25 Huka Cabbage Tree (Bay of Plenty).  This cache did involve walking up a hill but not only does it take you away from the crowds, you get such a fantastic view!  I left the travel bug Mosse the Cat and retrieved Homing Bear and Saving Little Hearts Geocoin.

As I started to walk all the way back, I noticed there was yet another cache further along the walk track and full of travel bug goodies! 

I rang Kev to update him on my progress and turned back around and walked the 500+ metres to the cache GC246C0 Huka Travel Bug Hotel (Bay of Plenty).  It was a long walk but in the shade of the trees.  I got to the spot and was able to have a sit down and rummage though all the different travel bugs.  I took the travel bugs Travel Bug Dog Tag, Edelweiss and All Blacks Silver Fern.  I left the travel bugs McCutchan Cache Clan’s Travel GPS Geocoin and Grandma’s Green Racing Car.  As I started my walk back I noticed a couple going to the exact spot I was – I yelled out and yes they were geocaching, this is becoming a habit bumping into geocachers!

I went back to the car and noticed there was another cache on the other side GCJTEM The Falls (Central Plateau).  Once again I took off on a walk.  This cache took me forever!  I was in and out, up and down all over the fallen trees and branches.  Just as I was giving up I stumbled right onto it!

We left the Huka Falls to go to the Earth cache GC2HFMZ Volcanoes and Earthquakes (Bay of Plenty). 

The next cache was another Earth cache GC1VA03 "The Power of Steam" Earthcache.  I must admit it was a bit scary driving there – it didn’t feel like a public road and there was huge steam vents and pipes everywhere.

There was also a traditional cache up here too, GCGFVN Bored Steam (Bay of Plenty).  Lucky I read the recent logs as a lot of people have stated it was a good 5 metres out of range.  It still took me awhile and I had plenty of blackberry bushes scratching me, but I eventually found it!  Here’s a typical photo, Kev waiting for me in the car as I return from the hunt.

We decided for one more nearby cache GC2K7Y5 Once a Wonderland(Central plateau).  The cache was down a long and dusty road, didn’t think it would end!  Once there you were greeted by a camp site, different birds and animals, and cafe.  I decided to let Kev look for this one, but I had to join in the search to find it.

We have had enough of caching and decided it was time to go back.  But just as we were returning we decided to quickly stop at the lookout to find the cache GC246BY View of Taupo (Bay of Plenty).  Lucky not too many people were around as I was on my hands and knees looking for it.  It was such an easy hide but typical me but the search a lot harder than it needed to be.  Great view by the way.

I then went to pick up some Hell’s pizza which we ate with cold beer while looking out at the Lake.  A great end to the day!

*** Caching Cath ***

Today we were leaving Palmerston North and heading back to Oasis Motor and Caravan Camp at Tokaanu.  We were going to drive up the opposite way we came down. Our first stop was in Fielding, where I quickly found GC1ZA3H Denbigh’s Stockyards (Manawatu).  Two cachers before me couldn’t find this cache, but they are fairly new and haven’t been introduced yet to those wonderful teeny tiny nanos!

After breakfast we drove to a park with accompanying bird aviaries to find GC204ZV Blue Duck (Manawatu).  Once again a nice easy find and another lovely little park.  I thought it was appropriate to leave the travel bug Kiwi Travel Bug #3.

Next we went to GC1Z2DT High Field (Manawatu).  The view was nice and the cache was nicely hidden away from muggle view but when we went we had the whole view point to ourselves.

Next was a beautiful spot of the main road that led you to the river GC11YN8 Alma’s rest (Manawatu.  The only complaint is that campers are staying here and leaving all their rubbish – a) you’re staying for free but you rub it in but leaving all your trash, just not fair!

Off to another view point for GC2BZEE Stormy Point Lookout (Manawatu).  Just as we arrived another couple had left so I had time to quickly retrieve and rehide the cache.  I was lucky enough to take two travel bugs NuJerico’s Copper Caching Dragon Geocoin and Sam the Hobbit. 

We almost missed the turn off for the next cache GC10K40 Vinegar Hill. (Rangitikei.).  It looks like a great camping spot with a beautiful swimming river and some cachers were spending the New Year here as I kept finding caches after them saying this is where they are staying.

Further up the road we went for our first Earth cache of the day GC1785E "Small But Precious" Earthcache.  The information on the sign was severely damaged so I took a photo of me standing there and posted it hoping it would be accepted (not my fault I couldn’t get the information!).  Well they rejected it and have disable the cache – I have noticed that some other people got their logs approved though…

Right at the same spot was the cache GC16XAQ Weka (Manawatu-Wanganui).  After a little of searching I found it.  I also took a group photo of the travel bugs.

I might have mentioned this before but Kev and I only do cemetery caches which are respectful i.e. not caches stuck in the middle of cracked headstones, or any headstones / plots that are not connected to the cache owner.  This cache GC1NA4X Mangaweka Memories (Manawatu-Wanganui) met those requirements so we added another successful find for the day.

Our first DNF was GCQVA4 It’s Time for a Cookie (Manawatu-Wanganui).  The area was full of muggles and I couldn’t make any sense of the hint or recent logs.  While Kev had a drink I had a quick search but had no luck at all.  It has been found after us but it seems some people find it on their third or fourth time – so I might find it one day!

Yet another rest stop cache was GC2HQT8 A Stop at the Top (Manawatu-Wanganui).  This took a little bit of searching in the horrid flax bushes but I got there in the end.

The next cache took me even longer to find! GC1NA4Y Try Throwin’ This (Manawatu-Wanganui) was a huge metal gumboot and it had me rolling over the dirt looking in all the nooks and crannies.  I was determined to find it but was losing hope, and being a girl of bigger proportions I couldn’t squeeze quite under the boot!  I managed to find it in the end, and thanks Kev for not even getting out of the car to take my pic!

The next cache was a bit of a drive to get to, GCNDTE Welcome to Waiberia (Central Plateau).  Kev even helped find this one but it didn’t matter, I got it.  We didn’t go into the museum, we will next time as it looks quite interesting.

The next was the Earth cache GC1KRFT Lahar Power Ruapehu which includes the Christmas Eve 1953 Tangiwai disaster.  It’s off the main road but worth it just to read up and pay your respects to one of NZ’s biggest disasters.

Back on the Desert Road we went to GCRTC5 Three Volcanoes (Volcanic Plateau).  Unfortunately the view wasn’t great as it was so misty, and the weather was very chilly – can only imagine what it is like in winter!  I left two travel bugs, Anne Bonney’s Morristown Benchmark Micro Geocoin which wanted to go to the highest and lowest points, and Sam the Hobbit who wanted to be taken in a photo with Mt Ruapehu.  I did my best but with the weather, you can’t even see the mountain!

Another spot where you can pull off the road to get the cache was GCAC44 Desert Drive-by (Volcanic Plateau).  It didn’t take long at all and I’m glad I’m not doing this in colder weather!  Here is Kev doing something useful – getting the GPS ready for the next cache.

Just pull off the road and you will find this cache GCXNWV Freedom Air (Central Plateau).  One of those quick finds to add to your numbers.

The same can be said about the next cache GCWWK5 Poachers Paradise (Central Plateau).  The best thing about this cache was it was our last for the day, we were also at our accommodation and it was time to relax and go to the nearby take-outs for dinner and dessert (cheap and tasty).

Tomorrow is another early start, a big caching day in Taupo then all the way back home!

*** Caching Cath ***

Today was our first day of our New Years Road Trip to Palmerstone North.  We left home just before 8am and our first stop was breakfast in Mercer food court to have the delicious Pokeno bacon.  We decided not to cache along the way as we could do them another day on a day trip, and we had a long drive to get to our destination of Tokaanu.

The first cache we did was GC2KCY9 Ohinewai Interchange (Waikato).  This was one of the caches that we were going to get for the FTF on our way home from the Hamilton event GC2HWZN Twelve Days of Christmas (Hamilton South, Waikato) a couple of weekends ago but FMZ bet us to it.  With not much traffic around, I quickly jumped out of the car for a nice easy find.

Remember on the way to GC2HWZN Twelve Days of Christmas (Hamilton South, Waikato we logged a DNF for GC2EZEC D.E.K.A. (Waikato) but a few other people found it on the way down – well we went for it again and still couldn’t find it!  We just looked everywhere but had no luck – we are planning a day trip to Hamilton in the near future and need to go in a convoy so someone can find this cache for us!  I’ve decided that D.E.K.A stands for “Double Envious Kevs_Team Anger!”.

We had better luck at the next cache GCWQY1 Sweet stopover (Waikato).  The biggest success of this cache was not finding it, but resisting entering the lolly shop!

Kev and I really enjoyed the next cache GC1KQ0R Bark Simpson (Waikato).  It’s a lovely little park with plenty of nearby parking, it’s off the main road, and a simple but cool hiding location – exactly where we would put it.  We left the travel bug White Jeep Travel Bug "Vern".

We were meant to by-pass Hamilton but somehow took a wrong turn, so on our way out we quickly grabbed GC15T4C Turbine (Waikato).  Hamilton is full of caches and we are looking forward to that upcoming caching day trip.  Have no idea what’s going on with my hair lol, one of those crazy pics.  I must say I’m loving the camera on my iPhone 4.  It has a feature that you can do reverse photos – so I can see myself on the screen and take a pic, very useful when it’s just me by myself.

Our favourite cache of the day was GC2AEPN You can’t eat this berry (Waikato).  Not because it was a easy find, but because we found a berry we could eat – delicious blackberry ice-cream!!!  Kev also brought me a big punnet of strawberries which are so yummy – the strawberries I have been having lately have been rather tasteless.  These ice-creams were yum yum yum and I was not impressed when I asked Kev to hold my ice-cream and his tongue fell into it!

The next cache GC21352 Welcome to Cambridge from Hamilton (Waikato) was such a simple hide, there didn’t seem to be much of an effort to disguise it. 

Cambridge is such a pretty location and we had a quick stop to pick up a few nearby caches.  The first one was GCX5Q4 Jubilee NANO (Waikato).  Again it was a beautiful location and we took a few photos here after Kev made the quick find.

A short drive away we entered a lovely little Japanese inspired garden for GC1BMTY easy peezy (japaneezy) Waikato – one of Kai_Gotti’s favourite sayings! I quickly discovered the cache and took a photo.

We entered the always highly busy little town of Tirau next.  As Kev was at the petrol station getting an Red Bull, I quickly walked to GC10F5G Good Shepherd (Waikato).  As I was looking for this one someone came up to me and said I know what you are doing.  Luckily he had his GPS in his hand so I knew I was safe.  Once I figured out that the hint said HIS right and not my right lol, I made a quick discovering.  My fellow geocacher asked if I was Kevs_Team and I said yes thinking he must be a fan of the blog but no, he was returning to Wellington and the caches he was finding on his way, we were just getting before him.  With my ego deflated I completely forgot to take a picture, so here is Kev getting back on the road with all the busy holiday traffic (and does everyone but us own a boat? lol).

Further up the road was the Wood Museum which had the cache GC10FRH Log Shunter (Waikato).  The museum is closed for renovations but looks like it could be quite interesting.  I know my boys will love a visit, they have all sorts of big machinery out the front where you can sit in and play.  A nice simple hide.

The next cache GC26G02 Lichfield cheese (South Waikato) restored my ego.  This cache is just off the main road and Kev parked a short distance away but you couldn’t see the car from the main road.  As I was signing the log a elderly couple drove up to me – I assumed they were looking for this cache too but instead they asked me if I was alone and needed any help.  Kev started the car and drove towards me as I thanked them and said I was fine, and Kev was just coming to get me.  They must have wondered what I was doing but wasn’t it so nice and caring of them to check on me, someone has some lovely grandparents!

Next stop was GCNF70 Dunham Park (Waikato).  Without sounding repetitive, this was also a lovely park with the added bonus of a stream which you can see a little of it in the background of this photo.

It was a big cache but with all the park to choose from, it was put in a massive flax bush.  I rolled my eyes thinking I could be here a long time, but with a bit of luck, it didn’t take me that long.  When I returned Kev was at the picnic table with my Diet coke poured and ready for me as he was planning the next caches.

Up the hill at a lookout was the next cache GC1A6VB South Waikato Vantage Point (Waikato).  This should have been a simple find but I think the cache is missing.  The previous log was also a DNF and the owner has now disable this cache until she can check on it.  I took two photos of Kev, the first one of my poor Kev is looking a bit tired.  It was now approaching 2pm and Kev has been driving for around five hours (I don’t drive and not motivated enough to do anything about it!).

Here he is with the city view in the background.

We decided we should just go to the Huka Falls now and concentrate on the two caches we wanted.  As we approached we debated if we should go to our accommodation first to unpack the car of just do it.  We thought if we unpacked the car it will deter the car thieves as we didn’t look so touristy (our car was packed with bags and blankets and pillows etc).  We drove through Taupo and decided to come back and do the Earth caches and have dinner.  We drove and drove, thinking our accommodation was just ten or so minutes on the outskirts of Taupo, but it was at least half an hour.  We arrived at Oasis Motor and Caravan Camp at Tokaanu and booked our cabin for the night.  It’s just a basic room with three single beds but for $25 a night (pp) we highly recommend it.  The toilets and showers are nice and clean, they have hot pools which are great for soaking and are open 24 hours, and the owners are really nice.  Next door is a cafe and take away but  unfortunately when we leave tomorrow morning they won’t be opened for breakfast.  On our way back from Palmerstone North we will come back here for another night just to break the drive up for Kev and allow us plenty of time to get the Taupo caches.

We were both tired so had a rest before going out for a couple caches.  The first one was the Earth cache GC1JNRT Wonderstuff’s Wonderland – The Sequel.  There were some hot pools here (just $6 an adult I think) but it also has reserve with geothermic activity.  We had a nice walk around and you definitely could feel the heat.  We reflected about the recent tragedy in Rotorua in which an eight year old tragically died when he fell into one of the local park hot pools.

We walked around the track (a couple of times as I’m not that good at entering way points!) and answered the appropriate questions.

After an ice-block and cold drink we went on a tiki tour to grab a couple of caches but as we were so tired and realised a little bit of walking was involved we turned around to come back home.  Just up the road from where we are staying there was a cache that was close to the parking so we went for it, GC1GAZC Tokaanu Overnighter (Central Plateau).  The GPS was going a bit crazy and it led me to blackberry bushes and I was thinking surely they would not put a cache in there.  I powered up my iPhone 4 and it led me elsewhere, the correct location.  Kev suggested how to find it and he was right – I’m not sure if I am fond of its location but if done correctly no harm will be done (it’s just something a bit broken and rusty).  I left the travel bug Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to WORK I go which we found in Mercer a couple of weeks ago and Kai had actually found in Auckland the month before. 

With the light fading I took a photo of Kev and the lake and we returned back to our accommodation. 

We walked to the cafe and had coffee and the apple crumble looked really good and at $6 was a bargain, but we decided we didn’t need it.  We then had a nice soak in the hot pools then a shower.  Kev is having a good sleep and I will be joining him very shortly.  Tomorrow we will leave early and find somewhere to have breakfast and do some more caches on the way to Palmerstone North.  We are planning on arriving early afternoon.  We now have 475 caches, just 25 left to hit the big 500!  I’m not sure if we will get it tomorrow but definitely by Wednesday (just to give you a bit of warning kiwifamily hehe).

Time for a good night’s sleep!
*** Caching Cath ***

Saturday 10th July

Weather was reasonable so Kev and I decided to make the most of it.  We decided to go out Taupaki way.  It was really a hit and miss day, and quite a few we didn’t even get out of the car for. 

Our first find was GC270C6 Harry James The Second (Auckland).  A lovely park for the kids to bring their bikes, bat and balls.  After a few DNF’s it was nice to get this cache with no problems.

A little walk away was another easy cache, GC1NE81Harry James at Taupaki (Auckland).  We were able to do a travel bug swap – always a plus!

The next cache was a drive-by, GC27RXE Lilliput Airport (Auckland).  I decided to stay at the car so Kev crossed the road and made the easy find.

Our last cache of the day was GC1MD5K Toughen up, Petal (Auckland).  We often drive along this road so Kev has been wanting to do this cache for a long time.  Once we finally found the right location, it was a fast find, just be careful as the local chickens don’t seem to enjoy people walking around and they make a lot of noise!

Sunday 11th July

Today Kev wanted to do some photography at Muriwai, and naturally we were going to find the local caches.  Quite a lot involved too much walking so we narrowed down our choices to a select few.  The first one I went for was GC1HKKE Gannet City (Auckland).  I tackled this alone as Kev was taking photo’s, and lucky for us, it was a surfing competition day.  This cache is off the path and I’m a bit of a chicken so I wasn’t feeling confident especially as I had to walk through huge flax bushes.  The thing that made me turn around was the sight off rusty traps – the claw type that snap down on your foot.  I quickly turned around and choose the right moment to get back on the path – didn’t want to arouse suspicious amongst the muggles!

Our next cache was an earth one, GC22Z8H Gannets’ Rock (Auckland). 

Final cache of the day was GC291JX Muriwai Quick "Stop" (Auckland).  As usual, we took a bit longer than necessary but we came up with the find thankfully.

Not a numbers weekend but a lovely scenic drive.

Today is a holiday for the Queen’s birthday.  We are sitting on 192 finds and eager to make the 200 today.  We went to our neighbouring suburb Greenhithe but after no luck we took off to Tamaki Drive – apparently lots of quick finds and today was a numbers game.

Our first one was GC1XKVD Driving Practise (Auckland).  Today was a pretty quiet day, well as quiet as this area can be!  A quick walk up the road and with the handy hint, I quickly found the cache.

Next stop was GC27J8Q Walking on Water (Auckland).  I was getting a bit worried after reading the hint and seeing where we were walking, but I spied something suspicious and it proved correct – a cleverly disguised cache.

On the return walk back we quickly found GCNPE7 Rescue Me (Auckland).  Very interesting spot and beautiful rocks.

Off I went for the next one GC25MEP Fergie’s Walk (Auckland).  As I approached the GZ I was a bit worried as there was a few fisherman, but fortunately the cache was before I got there.  Another nice easy find – much better luck than Greenhithe and now we were sitting on #196.

Kev was getting hungry and we decided to pick up some take-out for lunch, Kev’s favourite restaurant, Canton Cafe.  With a bagful of hot food, we drove to the top of Mount Eden to have lunch with a view.

We went for the earth cache GC16BR7 Mountain of Eden.  It’s a shame that a few people do not pay any notice to the signs about entering the crater and think its a great idea to walk right thought it.  We emailed Zovk our answers and we were able to log it as found.

I then tried GCHQ2Y Benchmark (Auckland), my first attempt of a benchmark.

Feeling pretty tired I said to Kev it’s time to go home, even though we were up at 199.  On the way home he asked if I was sure, and we decided just to zip into Te Atatu to get our 200th cache.  First we happen to drive pass a Mr Whippy so had an ice-cream stop.  We went to GC28P61Power Plant Garden, Te Atatu North (Auckland) and I sent Kev out of the car to get it.  He had no luck so I joined in the search and of course I found it – our 200th, yay!

Kev started the celebrations and put it out on twitter, and I went to log in the finds, but guess what, we were only 199! I couldn’t be bothered going out anymore as it was cold and rainy, but later on in the night our phone started beeping with FTF’s.  One caught out fancy, out in Henderson, so we took off and when we got there, we caught up with kiwicouple and ishoot.  We were the fourth person to find it, but best of all, we now legitimately have found 200 caches! 

An end to a busy day!

Saturday 29th May

We were out having lunch in Albany and on our way home we received a text saying a new cache was placed in Swanson – GC29BKP Coroglen (Auckland).  With a quick detour we went straight there and found the spot.  It was a micro cache at a park – and it was very tricky to find!  After a good 40 minutes in the cold we finally found it!  And the best thing of all – we were the first!  As of the 3rd June we are the only people to have found this cache, and four have logged DNF’s.

Later that night, more caches were published.  All were a bit too far to go out on a cold rainy night, but GC1JP35 Maori Bay surf break (Auckland) out in Muriwai was close enough to be local, and we thought we would have a great chance to be first to find as every one else would be out hunting the other ones.

We arrived to be the only car there.  It was very windy, almost thought Kev Snr and myself were going to be blown on the cliff!  After a 30 minute search back and forth in the dark, rain and chilly wind, we finally found it, and yes, we were FTF!  Kev was comfortable sitting in the car the whole entire time, providing us extra light from the headlights – thanks Kev!

Sunday 30th May

Today we were very lucky to go out geocaching with our Hamilton friends psychrn, who came up to Auckland for the day.  Our first cache was nice and easy GC121G8 No Fishing (Auckland).  The next cache, a puzzle, GC26Y1V Don’t be Square! (Auckland) was too tricky for us to find.  After a good 30 minute search we gave up.  During the search I went off track and got lost in between gorse, cutty grass and flax bushes which were all taller than me!  Still got the cuts up my arm and over my hands!

Next was the earth cache GC17G8K Lava In The Harbour (Auckland).  We bumped into two other geocachers who was also doing this cache – nice meeting them! 

Another quick and easy cache was found nearby – GCMK7G End of the Lava Flow (Auckland).  I love easy caches, especially when they are so obvious yet muggles are unaware.  While Kev and I sat down to enjoy the view, Kev Srn and psychrn went ahead to get two more caches, GC20KBE Roaming Free at the Reef (Auckland) and GC22THN Planes,Trains and automobiles (Auckland).

Next was some tree caches.  The first one was a quick retrieve GC1A0EP Reserved Trio I (Cron_a_LOG_ical) (Auckland).  The second of this series was a little harder as our GPS’s didn’t want to cooperate – GC1A0F0 Reserved Trio II (Pinga-Ponga-Punga) (Auckland), but I managed to find it in the end.

We then headed to Henderson where we went to a fantastic piece of sculpture GC1XDEX Bullocks! (Auckland).  Another nice easy find.  Next stop was a little harder, GC1NMWD Twilight of a Champion (Auckland).  It took less than ten minutes to find, but took at least that amount of time to retrieve it! 

A quick drive up the road lead us to GC1QE6M Henderson Heritage Trail-B7 Corination (Auckland).  Wasn’t too long to find this one, it’s amazing where you can hide those bigger caches.  The final stop was to let psychrn find the cache we had placed the night before – GC29BEK Western Travel Bug Hotel (Auckland).  It didn’t take him long to find it and I managed to discover a few more travel bugs who were booked in the hotel.

What a fantastic day out geocaching, and it makes a big difference and adds lots more fun when you go out caching with other people, highly recommend it!

DAY 1 – Friday 30th April

Every year we like to go away for Kev’s birthday (May 1st), so this year we decided to go to Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty.  It happened to coincide with the 10 Years! Rotorua New Zealand (Lost and Found Event Cache) so perfect opportunity for us to go to our first non-Auckland event.

We left Auckland just after 7am and arrived at the Mount at 5pm – lots of geocaching along the way!  Our first geocache was a nice and easy find GC231YF Monumental Effort (North Waikato).  The next cache GC24KAT Millennium Bridge (Thames Hauraki) we had to log a DNF – it looked easy, should have been easy, but no cache .  Luckily enough, our next cache GC1TCCA HMS Otago’s Deadweight (Waikato) was super easy, but what a terrible smell!  Not sure if it was the “country” air or the tree next to the cache, but Kev and I both agree we were happy it was a fast find because we couldn’t hang around for much longer.

Next stop was Paeroa, and we retrieved the GC10QY2 World Famous in New Zealand (Coromandel). 

Assumed it will be close to the famous L&P bottle, but the cache location indicated other type of beverages had been consumed – as the logs suggest, not the best to look at night time.

Our next cache, GC13C1X Crown Battery (Coromandel) has been our favourite so far.  It was a beautiful location with great historic information about the gold mining in the area.  No one was around so Kev and I had plenty of time to locate it – which we needed!  Once we finally got in the right spot, was a nice and easy find.

We drove to the next cache GC16TKB Owharoa Falls (Coromandel) and some workers were having their lunch at what we assumed was the entrance so we did a quick tiki tour up the road.  On our return the path was cleared so in we went.  Entering the track we noticed the gorse was a bit overgrown but we had our hiking sticks so pushed passed.  After a endless walk we reread the info, and noted we were not meant to go over the bridge – we were walking towards the top of the falls, not the bottom where the cache was!

Back to the car Kev decided to sit it out and I went by myself.  After walking the proper way, I was greeted by the beautiful falls, and after a few minutes searching in the trees, found the cache.

It was approaching 3pm and we hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast in Pokeno around 10am.  We stopped at Athenree Flip ‘n Bear Cafe and Pancake Den.  It had been recommended but we had never been before.  We highly recommend this place – the pancakes are absolutely delicious!

With our tummies full, we did a final few caches in Waihi.  We stopped off at Martha’s Mines and completed our first earth  and virtual cache in one go!  They were GC1G06V Martha Gold and Silver Mine (Waihi) and GC367B It’s not mine, it’s Martha’s (Bay of Plenty).

The final cache of the day was GC21W6W The Pumphouse (Bay of Plenty).  Kev was pretty tired and didn’t fancy the walk up the hill so he rested on the bench while I went up.  My GPS was pointing me slightly in the wrong direction and after a good 30mins going around and around I had given up.  With my final glance I just caught the edge of the cache, I love when that happens!

With 8 finds and 1 DNF we called it a day and went to our holiday accomodation for a good rest before a weekend of geocaching!