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 ***

Today was GC2MJ04 Tramper Ted’s Teddy Bears Flash Mob (Auckland).  Kev and I arrived a little earlier and started chatting with familiar cachers.  Kev was in charge of the photos so he sent me in with the high-visibility vest and my teddy bear Winnie the Pooh.  It was a great event (slightly embarrassing as flash mobs tend to be!) and it had quite a large turnout.

After the event Kev and I mingled just for a little as we had an appointment with the Minister to go over the wedding plans – a month to go!

Talk later,

Cath

Kevs Team hasn’t been doing much caching after reaching the big 500 cache while on our New Years caching trip to Palmerston North.  Tonight our phone notified us there was a close FTF over in Albany – just slightly down the road from where I work, GC2NK1Y Three 5 Seven 9 (Auckland).  We quickly got in the car and was at the location within 15 minutes but it wasn’t a FTF – we were about the 8 or 9th!  We had to sign the log on the 3rd page!  Regardless about not getting the FTF (which our friend kai_gotti got), we met up with a whole pile of cachers including meeting some new faces.

We have been busy with wedding  plans and due to Kev’s sore back we didn’t manage to make it to GC2K6GF Blackberry Flats BBQ & Campout Event (Auckland) but planning on making it to GC2MJ04 Tramper Ted’s Teddy Bears Flash Mob (Auckland).

Until then!

Cath

A correction on the quick summary post, we didn’t find 29 caches that day, we found 30!!!  I forgot to log one of our finds, thankfully I found my mistake!

Kai_gotti arrived at our house around 10.20am.  We left and decided to start finding caches once we were over the Bombay hills.  The first cache we went to was a church,  GC1BCB4 Love, Peace & Harmony (Auckland).  After a few minute search Kai came up with the goods.  Actually, most of the day Kai found most of them!

Not too far away was GC1VFTB XC’s Bombay Quick Stop (Auckland).  Not only was this a quick stop, this was a quick find for Kai.  It’s a lovely little park with beautiful trees and a monument to the nearby school St Stephens.

Now the next cache GC285EM Pokeno Park I retrieved, but Kai isn’t letting me claim it as he said he knew it was there – I don’t know, it was in my hand first… lol

Last week I was pretty good at finding the caches, today I was feeling I was going to be beaten every time!  I quickly jumped out of the car to  GC1J62W Mercer: Rio Vista. (Waikato), which also had some travel bugs in it.  I read the hint and looked in all the obvious spots, but guess where it was – in Kai’s hand!  To top it off, he got to get the beautiful geocoin and I got to take Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to WORK I go.  I left the geocoin Canada 2007 Geocoin.

Once again Kai got the next one GC1RBV7 Coal, Steam, Electricity! (Waikato) To be honest, I had hardly got out of the car when he came up with it!

And here is Driver Kev doing what he likes most, drinking coffee!

One of the few caches I found today was GC1RB2Q Meremere’s Missing Monocable (Waikato).  It’s not really a tourist spot, so it was quickly in and quickly out!

And back to Kai taking the lead with GC2K3WB Rangiriri Lookout (Waikato).  A quick walk up the hill and over the fence, and before I knew it, he had it.  Kev was down in the car taking our pic.

My turn to find one with GC1C4E2 Mum’s Day Cache (Waikato).  The most difficult part of this cache was crossing SH1 (Huntly main road).  We are not particularly fond of cemetery caches and only go for caches that in the description seem respectable, i.e. no random headstones.  This was the cachers great granparents, and was so out in the open it didn’t look out of place – which was good as we don’t want to be moving around people’s plants and flowers etc.  I retrieved the travel bug Kiwi Friend which I dropped off at the event.

Further down the road and thankfully the right side of the road, was the GC2KCXG Sh1 three tress (Waikato) which was just published the day before, damn no chance for a FTF!.  Kai found again, I posed for pictures lol.

We needed to cross the busy road again for GC2JK5B Stop over (Waikato).  We searched a little wee while for this away and after no luck decided to expand the search area.  I came up with the lucky find!  The GPS was out about 13m’s but the clue helped a lot.

Our first DNF was GC2EZEC D.E.K.A. (Waikato).  This area was full of rubbish and Kai and I didn’t feel like putting our hands here, there and everywhere.  After an extensive search we gave up.  Later at the event, we found out that other people had found it after us!  We did look in the area it was but apparently not good enough!  Will go for this one when we return.  Here I am engrossed in the search!

Once again Kai spotted the next cache GC22X00 What a coal veiw (Waikato).  I searched the wrong one, but I did retrieved it.  It was a quiet Saturday afternoon (well it is Huntly so it might always be quiet?), so getting it was no big deal.  Oh and here’s a picture of Kev just to remind you what he looks like (hehe).

Kai and I continued walking down the street to get the next cache GC2EZEQ South End of Main (Waikato).  Once again I choose the wrong area to search and Kai came up with the goods.  On our way out we met fellow geocachers AotearoaForever.

A quick drive lead us to GC2J9KC Old baby factory (Waikato).  I haven’t found any for awhile so I jumped out of the car to retrieve this cache – a nice easy magnetic.  Surprise, I choose the wrong end again and Kai found it!

As we approached GC2450Q 10, 9, 8,7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1….Blast off(Waikato) we noticed a few people at the suspected location.  On the way down to Hamilton there were a few familiar Auckland names logging finds for the day, so we thought we would eventually bump into them.  Just as we walked all the way over there it was AotearoaForever who was replacing the cache back into it’s hiding spot, hence it didn’t take us too long to find it!

The next cache GC2452Y Loose Screws, Lost Marbles (Waikato) was in a very public location, a little bit, well no, a lot really, in the open!  It was a big cache, but did we find it instantly, no!  A good few minutes and Kai got it.  I left the travel bug Quinty.

Now we went to a nice little park with the river at it’s side for GC20HFX Rotund – As… in Ngaruawahia (Waikato).  It was also a welcomed toilet break!  I won’t bother telling you who found it, but I was there to sign the log! Here is Kev again, standing behind the beautiful Heritage Trail sign.

I will tell you who found GC2KCAF Bridge over Waipa River (Waikato) because it was me!  Nice quick find with no major dramas.

Time was running out before the event started and we had now approached Hamilton, which must be cache capital of NZ!  Our first one was GCZYTD Welcome to Hamiltron (Waikato), a quick find for Kai.  I left the travel bug FC Arsenal.

The next cache GC27RTM A cracked nut (Waikato)  was our second DNF.  We all searched, including Kev, all over but just no luck.  The one further down the road, GC2AEQ3 A bright Spark (Waikato) was no problem for Kai who found it before I managed to get out of the car (I was too tired to move!)

As we were approaching the event location, our GPS kept showing us all the caches which were so close, but due to the time, we went for two quickies within the shopping area.  GC2150H Gone But Not Forgotten was such a big cache for a very public area, well hidden!  Kai zoomed off and here I am signalling Kev to take my pic lol. 

The next cache GC2AEPZ The Base (Waikato) was another cleverly hidden cache.  It looks like Hamilton is going to be a great destination for geocachers!

We finally arrived to GC2HWZN Twelve Days of Christmas (Hamilton South, Waikato).  We had such a great time – thanks to Butterfly lady for hosting this event at her home, providing the food and a majority of the presents.  Here is Kev with the present we choose on our way out.

While at the event a few of us did two nearby mystery caches – and thank goodness for that as Kev and I don’t do too well with these types!

The first one was GC13MVW Avoid Wires (Waikato).  A walk down the road from this cache gave us the final co-ordinations for the next mystery one, GC1M8WV Harald’s Hide (Waikato) which we picked up after the event and Gyro27 (Bill and Amy) joined us for this and a few more caches.

We were losing day light so we needed to add some pace when we went searching.  This cache GC2EDDG Even more fitzroy fun!! (Waikato) was a easy find once we got there – one of those cases when you could have gone to the location much quicker and easier, in this case, we could have driven basically not that far from it!

Since we were in the walking mood, we walked another 200+ metres to look for GC22P9R Fitzroy Fun (Waikato).  The three of us (Kai, Bill and I) had a very extensive look, but there seems to be work recently done in the area and a few other people couldn’t find it, so we added our third DNF for the day.

This cache GC235EX Not a native tree? (Waikato), Gyro27 had found earlier in the day.  With a guided walk to the cache proximity I found the cute cache container quickly.

Up the road to the next cache GC2J4A7 Resthill Warrior (Waikato).  Kai spotted it as we approached, and it was actually something from our geocaching shop! (Kev just commented to me how nice it was to see one of our products.)

We needed to get a move on, so decided to do one more cache before a dinner stop in the city.  Gyro27 also previously found GC2EDCW Haere Mai Hamilton (Waikato) and he helped me by telling me I was on the wrong side (been doing it all day!)  Once in the right direction it was a quick find – by me I think, but I could be wrong!

On our way to dinner Kai kept saying “there’s one there, and another” lol so we stopped for one more GC15T5C Dracula’s drop (Waikato).  It must have been a sign to stop as we had no luck, our fourth DNF for the day.

We drove in the city and everywhere was packed, so we ended up going to Burger King.  After dinner we said our goodbye’s to Bill and Amy who were staying the night so they could do some more caching in the morning and on the way home – what a great idea! 

On our way home we decided to try out luck at GC2KD1T Kids bus stop. (Waikato) which was one of three published in Huntly when we were at the event – thanks psychrn for bringing it to our attention!.  We arrived in the dark and Kai found the cache and a blank log!  Yay a FTF!  Last week the same thing happened, on the way home from an event we got a FTF.

We were a little excited as there were two new caches just up the road, and we felt pretty lucky!  As we parked at GC2KD3F Te Whare Taonga (Waikato) someone was at the building with a torch.  I though it was a security guard, but no, it was funkymunkyzone!  He just bet us for the FTF.  Kai and I went over with our torches to find the cache and had to shout out for a few tips from fmz.  We found it and returned to the cars for a chitchat when another car slowly approached asking if we needed help.  We nodded along saying we were find when they asked if we found it – phew not a protective local but the cache owner eyespyben. 

After another chit chat and confirmation fmz had also found the third new cache, we said our goodbyes and all went home.

We arrived back home about 11.20pm – 13 hours later, 30 caches, and 365 km’s.  Another great numbers weekend!

Day Eighteen of Month Challenge – tick!

13 days to go…

Like last Sunday, today was a BIG DAY!  A quick run down on the numbers…

13 hours (10.20am to 11.20pm)

365 kms

29 found caches – including 1 event, 1 joint FTF, 2 mystery’s – just like last weeks!

4 DNF’s – just like last weeks!

2 meals – a light lunch, snacks at the event and dinner at Burger King with kai_gotti and gryro27

and 3 very tired geocachers!

Will do a proper blog tomorrow night hopefully!

Cup of tea and bed

Cath

PS – kiwifamily over took us during the week, and now we are back in front!

Kev updated our BadgeGen stats, and now we have a new social badge – yay!  Halfway through to getting our Month Challenge badge!  Today Kev went out in his lunch time to get the daily cache.  He went for GC29P3X Rounding up the Herd (Auckland).  After searching he used his “call a friend” lifeline and rang kai_gotti for a hint – he then instantly found the cache.

On twitter today kiwifamily said they did some caching today but haven’t done the logs yet.  We are waiting with anticipation to see how many caches they have done.  Lucky we are off to Hamilton this Saturday to attend GC2HWZN Twelve Days of Christmas (Hamilton South, Waikato) – planning on another big cache run.

The iPhone was going like crazy earlier with new publications – mostly on the Shore.  Kev and I were both too tired to go out hunting, someone might have made plenty of FTFs tonight!

Day Thirteen of Month Challenge – tick!

18 days to go…

Today was the big geocaching day.  We met up with kai_gotti, 8am at Altura Albany for a coffee and breakfast before going out East Auckland to get the big numbers.  We needed 28 caches to reach 400 finds.

The first one was GC1HYRM Glen House (Auckland).  I didn’t know it then but most of the caches for that day would mean walking down a lot of hills and hence, walking right back up them!  Kev was designated driver for the day so Kai and I jumped out of the car and went searching.  I came up with the first find – yay me!  I left the travel bug WBL-Race ’10 – HoGiPoGi – Zwerg. Here’s Kai and me walking back up hill number one.

Next cache was a quick drive away GCJFV1 Beached Flax (Auckland).  Guess what, I made this find too!  This hill was even bigger than the first one!  To top it off, I got mostly to the top when I realised I left my hiking stick behind.  I quickly went all the way back down and ran back up the hill – phew that was tiring and it was just cache number two!

Another quick drive to the next cache GC1H7VD Power box road view.  We parked right up to it and even though Kai and I gave it a thorough search, we just couldn’t find it.  Our first DNF.

We didn’t want to spend too much time there, so went to GC20825 Tamaki River Views (East Auckland).  This was along a walking path next to the water, and there were a few caches spread apart.  This cache was straight forward and Kai quickly spotted it.  The heat is so humid by now, my glasses are off and the sweat is dripping on us all.

Further along the beautiful walking track GC252GV Snakes and ladders Park (East Auckland).  This was such a neat little park.  There was a couple of muggle families playing there but the three of us discretely searched the area.  We had a fair idea where it should have been, but no, we just couldn’t find it.  This was our second DNF for the day, and the worst thing is, a day later someone found that cache!

For the next one we had to walk another five or so minutes around the path for GC11367 Plain Sailing (Auckland).  I spotted this cache and Kai retrieved it.  We loved these quick finds, perfect for a numbers run!  This is a picture of the walking track.

The heat is getting unbearable now, so instead of a extra long walk along the track, Kai and I opt for our driver Kev to drive to a closer access point.  We quickly got to the location for GC233FF Estuary Views (East Auckland) but just couldn’t find the cache.  After reading a few of the recent logs we decided to extend our search area, and yes, another find for me!  I also retrieved the lovely geocoin Canada 2007 Geocoin.

The next cache was another park and wildlife area, GC1HHTH Pukakaranga (Auckland).  Again a few muggles away but Kai was able to find and retrieve the cache with no problems.  Here’s me and Kai walking back to the car.

This cache GC22EWZ "Open Sesame – revisited" (Auckland) was a killer!  Not only was it a bit of a walk from the car, you had to climb a rocky hill to get to the top.  We spent a good fifteen minutes searching all the nooks and crannies but no luck – Open Sesame was closed today!  It was a good walk though, have a feeling I’m going to be losing some weight today!

A little bit of a drive away brought us to GC1D1E0 Te Naupata (Auckland).  Kai was in the zone and quickly discovered this one.  Here I am at the end of the bridge.

Up the road was GC1ZD4H AMJC04 Musickally Inclined (Auckland).  I hardly ever come out to East Auckland and it is absolutely beautiful.  There are so many beautiful views and this was one of them.  It was my turn to find the cache then Kev took some time to take some photos of the scenery.

At the top of the hill was GCZ31K Musick Radio (Auckland).  Kai and I went off for the walk and take in yet some more beautiful views.  The GPS’s were going a bit crazy but I decided to have a little walk about and I spotted it.

This cache GC2JTR1 Hidden Beach (East Auckland) was the stair challenge.  We walked and walked all the way down to a beautiful secluded beach.  Kai found it even before I had a chance to look!  It’s so hot I was dying for a swim but we had to move on. 

My thighs at the top of the stair climb was screaming “ouch ouch ouch”.  My wedding is in March, so I should have really ran up those stairs!

Just down the road was GC1K2ZC Somewhere in the Domain (Auckland).  Yet again Kai and I had to walk and walk.  Once at the right spot Kai spotted the clever disguise.  Now it was time to walk all the way back to the car!

Our next cache GC11HRM Marion’s Canada Cache (Auckland) was yet another breath taking sea view location.  We took a little bit longer to find this one but Kai did it in the end.  Here is a pic of Kai’s travelling companion Ratty, with the Moose that was inside the cache.

The next cache GC298PE The Twister (Auckland) Kai had found even before I had walked across the road!

Another quick drive lead us to GC1DD1Z Eric’s cache #3 (Auckland).  I can’t remember if Kai or I found this cache, hmmm have a feeling it was Kai.  I took a picture of Kev with the beach in the background.

Kai and I went off walking again for GC222D6 Lodged in Murvale (Auckland).  He spotted it but the cache description recommended a small hand to retrieve this cache.  I don’t know how I did it, but my chunky hands managed to pull out the cache.  Here I am posing – my legs are getting skinnier as the day goes on!

If we thought that walk was long, we were off for a hike for GC1KM4H Box o’ Books (Auckland).  Again we walked all the way down, down, down.  Once down, we had to walk inside the bush for quite a few minutes.  I located this massive cache.  The idea behind it is to swap books – a clever idea.  We walked most of the way back and I had just started the big stair climb when we realised another cache was a few extra minutes along the path.  So we walk all the way back and beyond for GC2FANM Prope Phyllostachys (East Auckland).  This was one of those caches that could have been a long search, but I was lucky and spotted it rather quickly.  Now it was time to walk all the way back and up yet another step an stair laden hill climb!  This is an exhausted me, at the top of the hill and back at the car (Kev was waiting inside with air conditioning!).

We had been hard out for a few good hours now, so needed a quick lunch break.  And it was just quick, we had plenty more numbers to go!  Here is Kev making us some lunch.

With our tummies nourished (it didn’t need much as it was so hot and tiring to eat!) we went to GC2CPQ9 Look Out To Cockle Bay (Auckland).  Guess what – it was another steep climb down then back up!  I found this cache and I left the travel bug Ireland 2007 Geocoin.

Down the road was GC2JGT4 C.B.D (Auckland).  This was a bush with plenty of good hiding spots but Kai and I couldn’t find the cache even after a good fifteen minutes searching!  It has now been disable and the owner is going to check up on it.

Here we go again for GC2HPMF Cockle Bay (East Auckland), a lengthy steep hill to climb down then right back up again!  There has been some recent work in the area but the cache was fine when I had discovered it.  Here is a picture of the lovely Cockle Bay.

The time was running out before the event, so on our way there we made just one more stop for GC2132N Sommerville Workout (Auckland).  It took us a fair few minutes but Kai finally came up with the find.  Here’s a picture of our driver.  Kev’s been a bit sick all week so dedicated himself to driving and it really makes a big difference as it doesn’t wear out the search team.

The main event of the day was GC2GBM1 Tramper Ted’s Christmas Campaign (Auckland).  We all had a great time catching up with old and new friends.  We really enjoyed watching the cache throwing contest even though none of us had the energy to compete.

We stayed for about an hour then had to move on to get more caches!  For a bit of a change we went to the top of One Tree Hill for the virtual cache GCB5A9 Auckland’s Panoramic Paradise.  Nice and easy and took some beautiful photos of our city.

We then travelled down the road to GC2J4YA Fishing in Greenlane (Auckland) and met up with tmann421 who was also at the event.  I made the find; I’ve done rather well today!

Slowly we were reaching 400.  We were so tired we wanted just quick drivebys.  GC17KP0 Rose ? (Auckland) was exactly that and I found the cache in no time.

This cache GC2K4GC Chicken Cache (Auckland) was a chirp, our second one to do.  Kai took charge of this one and found it with ease.  I took the travel bug FC Arsenal.

On the way to drop Kai off home, we stopped in the City at GC22PCT A Saint to be sure (Auckland).  Kev tried getting this cache last week but with no luck.  Kai pointed us to the general direction and the cache was glaring at us!  We took the travel bug Quinty.

It was time to drop Kai off home and Kev and I were going to do just a few more caches to get us over 400.  On the way home some cache notifications came though.  We couldn’t resist the cache in Glenfield, GC2JYR7 View From The Top.  I took charge of the search and after ten or so minutes searching Kev yelled to us that we should be up higher as the title is “View from the Top”.  Rolling my eyes at my basic mistake wondering if I lost the FTF for us, we went up to the top level and started the search again.  Kai came up with the find – and best of all, a blank log!  A joint FTF, yay!

We had dropped Kai off and decided to get some close by caches.  The first one was GCN9W6 Bringing Power to the People (Auckland).  This cache just happens to be in the backyard of my friend.  She wasn’t home as I walked past her place, but I didn’t have time to stop and chat, it was getting late and we needed two more caches to match kiwifamily’s 401 finds.  With my mind back on the cache, I quickly found it – our 400th cache!!!

One more cache to go, and this one was just a few roads across.  GC2AEVP Hanging out in the Wharf Rd Mangroves (Akld) was meant to be a easy find but took me a bit longer but I wasn’t leaving until I found it!  With the cache in my hand I could smile and relax, we have finally caught up with kiwifamily! Here is Kev using the iPad to log in our final cache.

It was now 8pm, Kev and I have been out since 8am in the morning.  We travelled 133kms, found 29 and had a DNF list of four – a great day!!!  We have another big cache run next Saturday in Hamilton for Twelve Days of Christmas (Hamilton South, Waikato).

Day Twelve of Month Challenge – tick!

19 days to go…

Today was a BIG DAY!  A quick run down on the numbers…

12 hours (8am to 8pm)

133 kms

29 found caches – including 1 event, 1 joint FTF, 1 virtual, 1 mystery (chirp)

4 DNF’s

1 meal – a lovely breakfast at Altura courtesy of kai_gotti, and the rest of the day was about numbers so just had a quick snack, including at the event

and 3 tired geocachers!

Will do a proper blog tomorrow night hopefully!

Dinner, shower and bed!

Cath

PS – biggest news of all, not only have we now found over 400 caches, we are equal with kiwifamily!