Today was my day to go to Brisbane with Kev.  While he is working I normally spend my time at the massive and just as impressive Roma Park, and City Plaza and venture right into the CBD.  Kev told me there is a lovely park up and hill and why not investigate that area.  I walked up the hill and found another huge park, Victoria Park.  I must say, all over Brisbane and Gold Coast you will always find plenty of park areas and if it was back home in Auckland, there would be just as many caches per parks, but over here, it is not so condensed.  At the park was a multi GC35B42 Centenary Pool Spring Hill.  It seemed simple enough, just had to answer three questions about the historic pool and apparently the final location was nearby.  I  entered my answers into the geochecker, which was in German, but the big red wording hinted I had it wrong.  I kept trying until I was locked out and had to wait an hour before another attempt.  I was positive I was right so plugged in the numbers and just went for it.  I ended up in a deserted area with trees and dried dead leaves everywhere, a perfect location for snakes and spiders!  Lucky enough the cache was quick to find and I was quickly out of there!  I did take the travel bug Whistle Blower.

Thinking the next cache wasn’t too far away I went for  GC24DVA Brisbane Tunnels – Clem7.  The walk took so much longer as there was no direct route, but a fair climb up a hill, across, then back down again!  Thankfully the cache wasn’t too hard to find, and not that close to the pay-to-use motorway tunnels .

While having lunch with Kev I noticed a new cache GC36NYV Train Spotter had recently been published and a whole list of DNF’s had been logged.  I decided since I had an afternoon to waste, why not have a little search.  I approached the area and noted three people were huddled having a chit chat.  I assumed they were friends who had spotted each other while one of them was in the nearby parked cars.  I walked slowly past them while looking and sped up the walk when I noticed thousands of midges were flying nearby.  I walked down to the train track to see if it was at the bottom level, watched a few trains go by, and once the muggles had left, went back up the stairs.  Here is a picture of the trains from the bottom platform.

Unfortunately the midges were still present at the spot, so I had a quick search and left before a mouthful of midges flew into my face.  I just knew it had to be there, so I kept going back in short spurts until I found it!  The log had been signed and I realised my three muggles were in fact geocachers.  I was so close to a FTF but was happy just to get away from all the midges.  Here is the view from the top, at the cache location.  If you look closely enough, you might get to see all those midges!

I spent the rest of the afternoon looking for a cache in Roma Park which still eludes me, one day I’ll find it!

Until next time,

*** Cath ***

When Kev picked me up today he was excited as two caches had just been published a couple of hours ago in Kaukapakapa.  Being during work hours and out in the county, we figured we had a good chance for a FTF even being a few hours late.  We went off to get GC2TYPH Welcome to Waitoki !  A nice country drive and a quick find, but we were not greeted by an empty blog, we were third to find.  As the photo shows, a lovely sunny day!

The likelihood of getting a FTF on the multi GC2TYPZ Kaukapakapa ! was slim but since we were in the area we still went for it.  We are not big fans of multi’s but we love these types when they are only a short distance apart.  A quick find and some interesting history.  We didn’t get the FTF but we were second this time.

A very long way to get home but two more caches added to our found list!

*** Cath ***

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 ***

Today was going to be a big caching day, grabbing the rest of the local traditional caches and venturing in a few of the multi’s – but it ended up being a quieter caching day but we were lucky enough to meet two local geocachers.

We started the day with the multi GC2BBVX Stately Homes #2 (Manawatu).  This cache was really cool and it takes you around one of the earliest Housing NZ estates.  I loved all the old houses.  The leg work for this cache was easy, and you could even drive it if you were lazy like us.

We were meeting Kiwijockey for coffee at the Esplanade so we arrived a little earlier so I could go get the cache GC2DBZQ Banks of the Mighty Manawatu #5.  My GPS was about 10m out but with the aid of the hint, I made a quick find.  Here’s a picture of the Mighty River.

Having a little bit more spare time I started the multi GC1367W Victoria’s Secret (Manawatu).  Running out of time I went to get Kev who was busy with his 11th and 12th fingers (he always has them) – the iPhone and his smoke.

We then went to the nearby cafe and met up with Kiwijockey.  Kev said I had to mention when I was drinking my coffee half of it was spilling down my top – I didn’t realise until they both pointed it out.  Kev thought this was hilarious and did his best to hold in his laughter… for about half a minute!

I mentioned about the DNF I got yesterday for Full credit … (Manawatu).  He told me where to look so after our lunch we went straight there.  When we arrived I went to the location and a lady was there with her bike.  I mentioned I was a tourist and was a fan of rugby and wanted to come to the plaque dedicated to the person who introduced rugby to NZ (lucky I read it yesterday!).  She didn’t stay long and as soon as she left, I quickly retrieved the cache – how did I miss it yesterday?  A little later on we received an email – the lady was in fact the owner, edvern, and she was checking if the cache was still there after my DNF yesterday.  She was suspicious about me geocaching, but since I didn’t have a GPS on me, she didn’t mention it.  We decided to meet up in the evening for another coffee.

Half the day had already disappeared and we didn’t have the energy or motivation to go for the other multi’s we had planned.  Instead to went for the nearby caches, which happened to be Kiwijockey’s.  The first one GC2C2MC Racing this time….. (Manawatu) was easy as the hint gave it away.  The best thing is since there was no racing we were able to park right up to it.

Not too far away was the next cache GC2BHJM Otira Walkway (Manawatu).  The GPS had me zigzagging through the trees and Kev had the local ducks and geese following him, but after a good 5 or so minutes, I found what the hint was eluding too.

We went home for a break and later in the evening went to finish GC1367W Victoria’s Secret (Manawatu).  Afterwards when we met up with edvern we found out she was the owner of both the multi’s we did today.  This multi have you going all over the Esplanade and when you go through the rose garden, the smell was amazing.  I highly recommend visiting this place if you ever come down here.

While not a busy caching day, Kev and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting both Kiwijockey and edvern.  There are still plenty of caches down here to do and we would love to come back down another time to complete them – hopefully the same time as the students are on holiday!

Tomorrow we drive back up to Tokaanu and we have planned out 20 caches to do on the way.

Better get off to bed, planning on being out the door by 7.30am!

*** Caching Cath ***

Today we went out caching with our regular caching buddy kai_gotti.  He came around late afternoon and Kev was still in the pool, so after a coffee and chat while Kev dried off, we went to Te Atatu.  First cache on the list was GC2JKZ2 Hang on to ya balls (Te Atatu, Auckland).  Naturally, Kai found the cache and we were happy to sign the log!  Please note I’m not grumpy in the photo, the sun was shining right into my eyes!

Next one was GC298VD Poles Apart: North – Te Atatu (Auckland).  Kai had already got this one, but I didn’t need any help and found it as soon as I approached – I love quick drive-bys!

We then went along with Kai to get two caches we had previously found.  GC29WY4 Torture for some! has now gone missing.  The next one was still there, GC29WY6 CaaaaaaachE!!!!.

The next two caches were new to both Kai and I.  GC29HED Hit The Beach (Te Atatu, Auckland) is in a nice location and lovely view.  It doesn’t happen often but I found the cache before Kai!  And here’s a nice photo of Kev and Kai.

The last cache of the day was the multi GC2988P 100/10 (Te Atatu, Auckland).  Kev’s knees were aching so he sat this one out as Kai and I walked down to the water edge.  Kai found this cache and it is one of my favourite cache containers.  A nice easy multi cache for those who don’t like to do these types (normally Kev and I!)

We arrived back to find Kev relaxing on the bench and enjoying the water and city view – spectacular! 

We went back to our house for another coffee and chat – Kai is awfully fond of our iPhone and iPad, he’s hoping Santa will be good to him this Christmas!

Day Five of Month Challenge – tick!

Yesterday when Kev was at his training in the city, he went for a nearby cache GC22PCT A Saint to be sure (Auckland).  Being by himself I didn’t hold out much hope (lol) and I was right, he logged a DNF.

Today with me on his side, we had a better chance to get some caches!  The first one we went for was the new chirp cache GC2JD6G Chirp, Chirp ! (Auckland).  We were driving home the other day when we received this notification for this one, but I was too tired and told Kev we would do it in the weekend. 

We excitedly walked down the track and waited for our “chirp” which told us how much longer to walk. 

Seeing a familiar sight of trodden bush geotrail, I quickly found the big ammo can.

Next we drove to GCM8NG JFK Reserve (Auckland).  We came to this park about a month or so ago but as we both were sick and the walk to long, we sat in the car and ate ice-cream from Mr Whippy.  This time we got out of the car and went searching.  As we were crawling around the trees someone asked if we were ok, Kev defensively said yes, then she waved the GPS, phew!  It was Sue of SUENDAN.  After a quick search I come up with the find, then we had a nice lovely chat about GPS’s.

As we had a lot of work to do at home, we decided for one more stop – the multi cache GC18HG8 PONDering in Coatsville (Auckland).  I love Coatesville especially this little grass area, and we found lots of cool hiding spots for the first part of the multi, but came up empty handed.  We had to post a DNF and call it a day.  Tomorrow we are hoping to go geocaching with Kai_Gotti, hope the rain stays away!

Day 3 – Sunday 2nd May

We started the day with a nice walk around the base of Mount (Mauao).  Along the walk, Kev had a sit down and I went down the beach to retrieve GC1YRB2 Rules of Engagement (Bay of Plenty).

I also retrieved the travel bug Spotted Lizard from this cache, which I swapped with the travel bug Key to the Cache.

After a coffee break to revitalise from the big walk, Kev and I did our first web cache, GCKJWJ Moturiki View and you too (Bay of Plenty).

Next was our first multi-cache, one where we teamed up with a geocacher in the UK, GCMYWH OVER THE POLE, South to North (Bay of Plenty).

That was enough geocaching for the day, and in Auckland Kev Snr (and my Mum) attended GC2401K 10 years! Auckland, New Zealand, Geocaching.

Day 4 – Monday 3rd May

We were meant to be going back to Auckland today but decided to extend one more day.  We started with a cache nearby our Mount accommodation, and while Kev was enjoying the view of the beach, I climbed up a hill to get GC1KAP0 The Muffin Man (Bay of Plenty).   

Another quick find since no skater muggles around, we found GC1G8PD Sk8r Boiz 7 (Bay of Plenty).

Our next cache didn’t take too long to find, but it was impossible to open!  We wrote our name to a little piece of paper and slipped it in a tiny opening of this huge cache.  A few people before us also had difficulty opening it so it wasn’t because we were weak lol.  GCKB58 The Toy Box (Bay of Plenty).

Without reading the recent logs, we went on to GCM4HG Otumoetai’s Railway (Bay Of Plenty) to add our DNF to the growing list – this cache is non-existent since remodelling work. 

The next cache was also not promising, logging another DNF for GC23KGB Salt Marsh (Bay of Plenty),  I think the “KGB” part of the geocache code is very apt as this cache is well hidden!  Kev sat in the car as I went off walking and searching, and even knowing I was in the right spot, I just couldn’t see it!  After 30 frustrating minutes I gave up and returned to the car defeated.  After us, a few more people have found it, but there have also been a few DNF’s too. 

After some lunch at the Tauranga waterfront, we went looking for GC18F8C Waka cache! (Bay of Plenty).  It took a few minutes but as we had come across a similar cache before, it didn’t take us that long – thankfully as we didn’t want to post another DNF!

On more final stop on the way back to the Mount,  we went hunting for GCRPKX NOSEY PARKER (Bay of Plenty).  After searching all the obvious spots (and everywhere else), we posted yet another DNF.  I really think this one has gone walk-about, no one has logged anything onto the page since we searched for it and it should have been an easy find.

Tomorrow it’s back to Auckland!

Day 5 – Tuesday 4th May

Time to go home, but not without a few geocaches on the way! 

We started with GC277ZC First or Last View, Bay of Plenty, NZ.  Plenty of room to park, you couldn’t get any closer to the cache!  Found without much drama – just the way we like it!

Next stop was another easy find, especially since Kev found it – GC1P25N Athenree Homestead (Bay of Plenty).  We swapped the travel bug Spotted Lizard for the Travel Slug Geocoin.

Then we went to GC1PMH1 Beach and town lookout.  Took awhile to find, a long while, but we got there in the end!  And the main view was gorgeous.

Time for a beach stop.  We found GC20VZJ Number 20 (Bay of Plenty) after a good 10 minute search – nice hiding spot! 

The next cache was perfect as both Kev and I needed a toilet stop. GC1XX7E Coro Beach Park (Bay of Plenty) was another great hide without needing to search for too long.  We took the travel bug Debbie the Dolphin.

Our final cache before lunch and non-stop drive back home to Auckland, we went to GC1R20F Pohutukawa Lookout. (Bay of Plenty).  Like other people, our GPS had us searching the wrong tree, but once we had the right one, was a nice simple find.

Next stop – home!