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 we found our 500th cache!!!  It took us all day to get there, we were grumpy and tired at times, but we did it!

The day started early, 3.45am to be precise.  I was sound asleep when Kev came in (he had woked up earlier) and he was quickly putting on his shorts.  I asked what’s up and he mumbled something about the car as he took off out of the room.  I always assume he’s having a heart attack lol, so I said to myself he must be driving himself off to the hospital.  I get out of bed and wrap a sheet around me to see what’s he doing and he’s outside at the car.  I asked him again what’s going on and he jumps, growls at me to go inside – and he standing there holding a knife!  Now I’m just thinking he’s still asleep but sleepwalking.  He comes in and say’s he has heard a noise and someone was trying to get in.  I asked are you asleep and he sharply says no lol.  I told him we have safety locks on the windows but if he wants I’ll lock them.  He then goes to the bathroom and recognises what made the noise – the shampoo had fallen in the shower lol.

Kev vs Shampoo – Shampoo won!

With that mystery solved I went back to bed and woke up at a more appropriate 8am.

Our first cache of the day was GC2G3XE St MatthewsPN (Manawatu).  This was pretty simple and with no traffic around was an easy search and find.  We left the travel bug Ahoy, Me Hearties!!!. #488

Next cache took us to a park and tennis courts, GC2KPGP Serving Up Takaro (Manawatu).  The cache was hidden behind the courts and park so I was able to sit and retrieve the cache.  We left another travel bug Granny´s Briefmarke. #489

At GC2K6EF Wild Horses (Manawatu) we were greeted by an empty park, which was lucky as this cache took us awhile to find.  It was one of those cases where you look the first (and second and third) time and don’t see it, but when you go back, it’s staring right at you.  Putting the log back in took just as long as finding the cache!  Third find of the day, 10 to go! #490

At GC1Y79X There’s a Hole in my Cabbage (Manawatu) we were once again at a deserted park – where is everyone?  Kev decided to sit this one out so off I went by myself to get the cache.  It was an easy find an a nice 150m+ stroll, then all the way back.  This is me in front of a massive gum tree.  #491

This is Kev waiting in the car.

The next closest cache was GCN80N Lakeside Totara (Manawatu).  We got there and walked along the bridge – there are so many wonderful reserves here.  We realised the cache was along the banks and we couldn’t access it from where we were.  We didn’t want to waste anytime so decided to go somewhere else.  I took a photo of Kev though.

We went over the bridge to Massey University way and went for the cache GC1918D Happy Birthday! (Manawatu).  This was a sweet concept – the log was the birthday card for her sister.  The find was nice and easy and I left the travel bug The Ring of Power which is in the photo. #492

Not too far away was GC1G3JB Full credit … (Manawatu).  This cache was dedicated to Charles John Monro who is credited with starting the game of rugby in New Zealand.  I was already getting tired and grumpy and not finding this cache didn’t help!  Our first DNF for the day.

We went back over the bridge and GC22HHE Awatea Reserve (Manawatu) was a short walk around a reserve with a little stream.  The cache was easy to find and we had a few minutes rest to watch the Mummy and baby ducks.  #493

My grumpiness wasn’t going away so Kev suggested we go to the shops to get a coffee. The plan this morning was to get 12 caches, go home for lunch, then go get the Whereigo in the afternoon.  Today the caches had been taking us ages, especially driving back and forth and around and around.  Last night we went to go for GC2H6E1 Top Park n Grab (Manawatu) but the cache was in a locked car park so it was the perfect time now to go for it.  As the cache says, if you know what to look for you will spot it a mile away – and that’s exactly what Kev did.  We signed the log and headed to the shops.  I started to smile when I found the chocolate shop, and definitely cheered up drinking the Belgian dark chocolate milkshake!  I believe I will be going back tomorrow!  #494

The new plan was to get one more cache GC2BPPJ "The Nectar Eaters" (Manawatu), then return home to rest, before grabbing the four caches along the river bank and finishing with the Whereigo.  We went to this cache and once again no one was around so it was a quick find.  Most caches down here needs lots of discretion but with the University on holiday it seems Palmerston is a bit of a ghost town – perfect for us!  This cache was next to the sculpture “The Nectar Eaters”, it has to be one of my favourite from the city so far.  #495

We went back home and started to relax when the notification GC2KZMP Hoffman’s despair (Manawatu) came though.  We didn’t receive it until about 10minutes after it was published but it was only 3kms from us, so we quickly went on the FTF hunt.  We found the cache quickly but was disappointed to be the third person to sign it – boy they are just as fast down here than back home in Auckland!  Oh well, another cache towards our 500th!  #496

We went back home again and rested for a few hours.  We wanted to have the Whereigo cache as our 500th, so decided to do the three caches at one end of the bank since we just found the unexpected cache.  We went off to the reserve and started the walking – three caches spread all over the place.  Kev’s back was hurting a little so he sat on the seat as I went off.  The first cache I went for was GC1T9RZ The Gnarly Treasure Tree (Manawatu).  It was a easy find between the trees.  I left the travel bug 07 Shelby GT500 – Red. #497

The next cache I walked to was GC1349J Earth, Wind and Fire (Manawatu).  This was a cool hiding spot.  I left our own travel bug Trackable Adventure Guide. #498

An a view of this massive reserve along the river bank.

I walked back to Kev, who was resting on the chair, before I went to the next cache.

We had a quick chit chat and I realised the next cache was from the direction I just came.  I walked back and went down a path and walked, walked, walked but the GPS wasn’t going down – it was pointing to the other side of the track – once again I choose the wrong path!  Walking all the 150+m back I yelled to Kev I made the wrong choice and had to walk all over again on the other path.  He joined me and was there when I found the cache GC2J0DD Manawatu tree roots (Manawatu).  That was our 12th cache of the day and number 499!!!  This is me holding the iPad, Oregon 450 and Kev had my iPhone 4 for the photo.  I had just twittered if I was mugged it will be an expensive insurance claim!

Now it was time to go to our 500th cache and our very first Whereigo GC1A4ZP Esplanade Exploration (Manawatu).  This was NZ’s first Whereigo cache.  Here is Kev getting ready to start – we were both so eager!

The Whereigo concept is so much fun.  You have to walk to certain locations and your GPS will give you a message – very similar to a chirp.

Here are some of the places we went too for the cache.

The Victoria Esplanade is the best ever free park I’ve ever been too.  It’s amazing and my boys would absolutely love it.  Kev and I enjoyed it so much we are going back there again tomorrow when we met up with a local geocacher.  It has a cool park, including little tramps, a massive train ride, a splashing pool, beautiful gardens, a duck pond and bird aviary’s!  Here are some other photos we took on our journey.

The final clue lead us all the way back to our car.  By now Kev was in pain from his back so he got himself an icy bag and rested in the car as I did the final clue.

It was another 200 m walk so it didn’t take me too long to get there.  The hide was nice and easy – finally our 500th find! 

We just couldn’t stop there though, we decided to go back for the cache we left behind, GC2DBZR of the Mighty Manawatu #6.  It was another 200m walk but Kev’s back had recovered a little so he decided to come with me.  Here he is having a well deserved rest.

The end of our day!  We have now reached the 500+ Club!  We have Kev Snr polishing our 500 Cache Find coin for when we get home on Friday.

Thanks to everyone who cheered us on, including kiwifamily who we had challenged to the 500th cache race.  It was lots of fun and hopefully the next 500 won’t take as long!  Tomorrow we are going to rest and relax and tackle a couple of the multi’s.

I will now sign out to the song “We are the Champions” lol.

*** Caching Cath ***

Today was the big drive from Tokaanu all the way to Palmerston North.  Here I am leaving our room.

We left by 8am and had breakfast at the local Burger King – the only thing that looked opened that time of morning.  Unfortunately a little later we drove past a busy bakery – that would have been a nicer breakfast!  Not too far away was our first cache of the day GC184B7 Turangi Angler (Central Plateau).  With hardly any traffic around I was able to zip across the road and get this cache without causing any suspicion.

The second cache GCZ81Q Settlers Corner (Central Plateau) was a short drive away.  Kev managed to find this cache, a nice big container in a cammo bag. We left the travel bug Lady Bug and retrieved Reinier.

Up to the top of hill, on the climb to the geothermal plateau, we quickly retrieved the cache GCT7DD Commander’s Rest (Bay of Plenty).  A camper van and van had stayed overnight, and looking at the views, I can understand why (I guess their main reason would be because it was free!).  Here’s Kev doing another of his hobbies – photography. 

The next cache GC1041P Hinemihi’s Track (Bay of Plenty) was beautiful bush walk on Pihanga mountain SH47.  We arrived and it was deserted but due to our car being fill and not wanting it to be pinched, we decided that Kev should stay and watch the car while I go off on the 15 minute trek.  Typically the walk was almost doubled!  I’m not that fantastic with the GPS and haven’t mastered the compass yet.  I was happily walking along the path when I hit a dilemma, which way?

I need a Tom Tom (navigation application) for geocaching so if I take the wrong turn, it will politely tell me to make a u-turn and turn around.  So off I went in the wrong direction, getting a little scared as I’m all by myself and starting to get lost.  Thinking I’m starting to go a little too far, I turn around and take another path going up the hill.  I see the potential GZ and searched it – no luck.  I then turned around the corner and started to walk up the path – the dark, enclosed path!  As you can tell by my face, I’m not impressed!  Either side was a bank taller than me with not much room in between!

I chickened out and turned back and searched the same fallen tree.  Again no luck, so I powered up my iPhone and used that compass.  Comparing both it seems I was a few metres out – it led me to another fallen tree with the cache!  Now it was a quick walk back to the car -  now which way did I come?  As I walked I was huffing and puffing – if it was any louder it would echo!  I started to hear cars and found a familiar path – phew I was going to make it.  Here is a triumphant and tired me at the entrance.  This cache should have been a lot easier and quicker if I did it properly!  I left the travel bug "Pilot Peak (CO)" Green Jeep Travel Bug.  PS – Kev kept the car safe!

The next two caches we had to post a DNF.  The first one GC22TF2 XC’s Lake Rotoaira Quickstop (Volcanic Plateau) was a rest area with a beautiful view.  The last log was only a couple of days ago which said easy find.  Now that I’ve reread the hint, I’ve realised I went to the wrong place, I must have muddled up the hints – damn because we won’t be going that way any time soon!  We got a lovely view though!

The second DNF GCNDTA Views of Rotoaira (Volcanic Plateau) was just below the above cache at water level.  This cache hasn’t been found since the beginning of December 2010 – I’m pretty sure it is missing.  Once again it was a lovely photo stop.

We had success at the next cache GCWWJG The Rainbow Connection (Central Plateau) which was a quick drive-by. 

Why Kev and I love geocaching so much is it takes us to places we never would have known.  The next cache GC1KA91 Wairehu Canal (Central Plateau) went down a dusty road and towards the end was a canal.  The cache was a quick find and it was another with a great view.

The next two caches were at the nearby Lake Otamangakau.  We drove along to the first cache GC2J1J5 O What a Beach (Central Plateau) and as we were halfway down a dirt road Kev was a bit concern of the pot holes so I hopped out of the car and walked the seventy or so metres to get to the cache.  As I approached GZ I past many cars and camper vans – they didn’t seem to have any problems getting down the road?  The GZ is a very popular fishing spot, and just my luck, three fly-fishers were there as I approached.  I tried to discretely as possible get the cache but was a bit hard as they were right next to it.  Thankfully one in the group recognised what I was doing and explained geocaching to his friends.  I found the cache, showed it to them, had a quick chat, and walked all the way back to Kev and the car with the travel bug McCutchan Cache Clan’s Travel GPS Geocoin I retrieved.

The next cache GC2HQBC The O (Central Plateau) we could basically drive right up to it.  As Kev chatted with a nice muggle who was sitting nearby, I quickly retrieved the cache and travel bug Kiwi Travel Bug #3.  Kev was talking to the lady about geocaching so I went to show her the cache as Kev explained it – I think we might have tempted her to start geocaching!  Kev decided to test out the water, apparently chilly!

There were not many other caches nearby so we decided to take a drive up to the Whakapapa ski fields.  Neither Kev or I have been there and we were visually stunned by all the beauty – we would love to see this area in winter time.  There are a few caches around here but all on walking tracks, so we have put it on our “Would love to do one day” caching wish list – when we both are a bit fitter! 

We headed down to the National Park and had lunch at a cafe.  With not many people about I was able to retrieve the cache GC2GHKE A Real Kiwi Cache (Central Plateau) with ease.  It’s such a cool sculpture made out of wooden branches. 

Our next cache was GCMNF1 The Last Hurdle (Volcanic Plateau) but we missed the turn off so went to the cache further up the road GC1MTBF Last Spike (Central Plateau).  This cache took me much longer than it should – I was looking in the wrong spot!  The correct spot had some blackberry bushes growing so I ended up with a thorn or two scratching me!  This was a nice historical spot and a great place for a quick rest stop.

We decided to turn back and get the cache GCMNF1 The Last Hurdle (Volcanic Plateau).  It took you to a rest area so you can admire the 100 year old viaduct – very impressive.  What I was not impressed with was the cache location – to me it was far to dangerous.  You had to walk behind the barrier and just slightly go down a hill, but if you slipped, you would go down a very long way.  I stretched down as much as I could and looked but couldn’t see it and I wasn’t brave enough to go down the slight slope to look properly – I was only wearing jandles but regardless, I didn’t feel safe so I flagged it.  This cache has been found nearly 200 times and no one else seems to have a problem so maybe in my head I made it a bit more dramatic than it was – but knowing me, I would have slipped down!  We got back in the car and had a long drive until our next cache.  Oh and a little later down the road I noticed I had brought melted tar into the car, getting over my foot, mat and the side of the car – grrrr!!!!  I’ve managed to get it off my foot but its hardened up in the car, have to go to Repco or something similar tomorrow to get something to clean it off – thanks a lot Last Hurdle!

It took us a while to get to GC16FK8 Lookout! (Wanganui) but when we did, it gave us time to stretch our legs and take a look at another amazing view.  The cache was found quickly, even with muggles nearby.  The worst part of this area was it dropped the 3G network, and it took us ages to get reception again.  Being at the bottom of a gully with hills and mountains both side, I think I might have been expected too much lol.

We were both getting quite tired so decided just to go straight to Palmerston North.  We did have one stop in Bull to get a coffee but then we were back on the road.  We arrived at Palmerston North around 5.30pm, so have been travelling just under ten hours!  I unpacked the car and we rested a little before we went to Countdown to get our supplies.  We couldn’t resist and went for one more cache, our 12th for the day.  The cache was GCW52K Be here or be square (Manawatu).  With no people around this was an easy find.  It’s a really cool area and Kev and I will return tomorrow to take more photos as we have a good walk around everywhere.

My photo looks like me after eating Christmas lunch lol.

And here I am with my Countdown shopping.

Tomorrow we will take it easy, we only need to find 13 caches to get to 500 finds.  Kev has suggested we do the caches along the Manawatu River.  The best thing about tomorrow is it won’t be any long journey’s and Kev and I will have more time to spend walking and enjoying.

Time to get some sleep,

Until tomorrow!

*** 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 ***

The month is slowly coming to an end and about time! We decided to go for GC2E23X 50 Steps (Auckland).  Kev dropped me off as I walked up the stairs to try find the cache.  After walking quite a distance from the stairs I realised I must have made a mistake and walked all the way back.  After a search up and down along the path I twittered the owner for a tip.  She replied back and I redid my steps and searched again – still no luck.  Luckily for me, the owner who lives nearby came over and helped me – yay I found it with a little guiding hand!  Here I am back at the car testing out the reverse camera on my iPhone 4.

Not feeling the best I went home to have a nap.  When I woked up Kev and Kev Snr had gone off geocaching with Kai_gotti (Kev didn’t want to wake me so he left me behind).  Kai is so close to 700 he wanted to get the few remaining caches he needed.  The first cache they went for was GC2H4N8 Where are the Faculties?? (Auckland).  They arrived at GZ and walk through the park to the bush where there is a very beautiful river.  There was lots of muggles about playing in the water and while Kev and Kai helped some muggles up the steep back, Kev Snr went to retrieve the cache.

They next went off to GCV4HM Green Lookout (Auckland).   They arrived and Kai pointed to the area saying it is about 20m’s that way.  As Kev was getting the GPS ready, Kai asked where Kev Snr was?  They waited five minutes and started to call him.  After ten minutes Kev Snr returned.  He thought he heard Kai said it was across the road 20 minutes away – and Kev Snr being eager, took off through the bush, without a GPS and started to look for a lookout.  Once the laughs died down, they walked the 20 metres (not minutes!) and easily found the cache. 

Off to Takapuna now for GC2K2QF THH6:Madogga of the Chair (Auckland).  Kev stayed in the car as Kev Snr and Kai went searching and apparently was a nice easy find for them.  Not too far away was the next cache, GC2K2QB THH4:Dogs at the Station(Auckland).  Kev Snr found this cache and Kai got to show off some of his company’s lifts.

At GCZE0R Patuone park (Auckland) Kai picked up the cache with ease before the Kev’s even got there.  The final cache of the day was GC2K2Q2 THH1:A Doggy Friend in Need (Auckland) which was another quick and easy find. 

On the way back to our house, Kai stopped at GC2GF5K Hobsonville Charity (Auckland) which we put out.  He made the find and it was a big moment as it was also his 700th find – well done Kai!!!

As they approached our home, they found kiwigary finding another one of our caches, and he joined them to coming back for a cup of coffee.

Kev’s main aim of the day was to pick up travel bugs to take with us to Palmerstone North, and he managed to find a few of them.

Day Twenty-seven of Month Challenge – tick!

4 days to go…

Merry Christmas everyone!

I was a very lucky girl today, Kev brought me an iPhone 4!  I’m still trying to get used to it and to twittering, but I’m slowly getting there.  To celebrate the day this evening we posted two caches, one dedicated to my iPhone and my iPhone travel bug.  Both caches yet to be published.

This morning the family had opened most of their presents.  I have four very happy nephews and Kevs Team will be recruiting the new family dog (yet to be name) for geocaching.  We suggested the name “Geo” but it was rejected lol. 

Anyway, mid morning after the presents, Kev and I went off for our daily caches.  Because the roads were quiet we decided to go for GC1HQDQ Save Our SteamShip (Auckland).  A lovely quick easy find, perfect for today.

Knowing the carpark will be clear, we went for the DNF we got the other week GC22N97 Sport Waitakere (Auckland)   I got right down on the ground and had a really good look and I still couldn’t find it!  I’m hoping it has been muggled so once it’s replaced I’ll have better luck but until then, another DNF!  The question of the day – whose Kevs Team member butt is this lol?

Once again, Merry Christmas everyone and I hope you all had a wonderful day.

Day Twenty-five of Month Challenge – tick!

6 days to go…

For today’s cache Kev found one a few good minutes from my work and apparently had four travel bugs, GC2C0RZ Forest Faries Cache (Albany, Auckland).  As we are off to Palmerstone North soon, Kev and I want to grab the TBs to take with us.  We went to the location and as the description say’s, it’s in the flax bushes – my least favourite!

Kev sent me into the flaxes and was yelling to me, “have you found it, have you found it – go left, go right etc…”.  I was in jandles, it was slightly muddy and on a slope, so I’m hanging onto a flax while lifting up all the dead matter trying to find this apparently huge cache.  I asked for some more tips and he’s laughing away, and I sharply asked what was so funny, and he quickly went quiet (he told me afterwards I was like a talking triffid, he could hear my voice as the tall flaxes were moving – yeah hilarious…) 

Anyway, getting fed up I came out and went to a new location – and voila, right in the front and easy access, was the cache!  Instead of four there was one TB which I took, Alien/Key.  Just as I took this photo I removed a lovely slug from my face, don’t I look like I’m loving this?

Day Twenty-three of Month Challenge – tick!

8 days to go…

and 2 sleeps until Christmas!!!

Being a Geocaching.com or Groundspeak distributor we are able to purchase genuine travel bugs.

Groundspeak have just released there new Travel Marble which we hope to have in stock come the new year, but in the mean time you can pre-order yours to make sure you are the 1st in New Zealand get your grubby hands on one

Pre order yours now !!!

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…

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…