Keeping the fun in Geocaching
The 9 Usual Suspects have been around since 2014, we are a group of Geocaching friends based in North West Wales of diverse ages and abilities. Our primary purpose is to get together, place caches, hold events, leave our environment in a better state than we found it and most importantly have fun. On average we hold about 20 events a year from monthly Nosh ‘n’ Natters, several Cache in Trash Outs (CITOs) and hosting the Geocaching Souvenir moments.
Thanks to a very busy Clueless_Goose we have several new caches since our last post:
GCB5YXY REALLY SideTracked – Port Dinorwic by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T1.5
GCB5RKC SideTracked – Llanfairpwll by Clueless_Goose Mystery D3.5/T1.5
GCB5V3A SideTracked – Bangor (Gwynedd) Traditional D2.5/T1.5
GCB5QE3 Pont Britannia by Clueless_Goose Multi D2/T2.5
GCB5M1E Taken for Granted by Clueless_Goose Multi T2/D2
Premium Member Only
GCB60FP Water Under The Bridge by OuroborosOutdoors Traditional D4/T4.5
GCB5V2C REALLY SideTracked – Griffith’s Crossing by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2.5/T1.5
It is nice to see a cache back here, see below for a brief history of this once ‘famous’ station.
Event Reminder
GCB5JC5 9 Usual Suspects Nosh & Natter 77 by 9 usual Suspects
When: Thursday 24th April 2025
Where: Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr, LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm
For this months Nosh & Natter we are back at the Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr.
Griffith’s Crossing, a Brief History
The Griffiths Crossing Station was a Station on the Menai Bridge to Afon Wen line which was opened in stages between 1852 and 1871.
In 1911 a ceremony was held in which the future King Edward VIII was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon castle. Part of the event was a procession into the town led by King George V and Queen Mary. Griffiths Crossing was chosen as the location at which the royal party would alight. The station facilities were considered inadequate for the royal party, so temporary timber structures were erected which included an extension to the down platform and a canopy. The Royal train stopped at Griffiths Crossing on 13th November 1911. After the event, the station reverted to its basic form.
The station closed in 1937 even though the line remained busy into the 1960s, but following the closure of Caernarfon and Afon Wen section in 1964, it went into decline. In the second half of 1966 the line through the station was singled, and the former down line lifted. On 1st July 1969 Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon castle, once again it was decided that a procession would take place and that Griffiths Crossing would be the ideal location for the royal party to alight the Royal train. As Griffiths Crossing had been demolished a temporary platform was built further west then the original station, where the bridge passed over into the Ferodo Factory.
Below is a video showing guests to the investiture arriving at Caernarfon Station, now Morrisons, and the royal train arriving at Griffiths Crossing with the then new Ferodo Factory in the background.
All services ended on the 4th January 1970. However on 23rd of May 1970 a fire on the Britannia Bridge isolated Holyhead from the railway network. Holyhead was at the time an important freightliner depot, so Caernarfon was pressed into use for freightliner services. Freightliner trains passed through Griffiths Crossing until 5th February 1972. The line then closed completely and was lifted.
The site of the station was lost under a road improvement scheme but the house nearby is the old Station Master’s House, and is the only evidence of a station once being here.
We have just 3 event reminders:
GCB4YXC CITO 2025 Season 1, Lon Eifion by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T2.5
When: Saturday 12th April 2025
Where: The Old Bridge, Morfa Parc, Caernarfon
Time: 2pm – 3.30pm
This is our last CITO to gain the Season 1 Souvenir. We will be concentrating our litter picking on Lon Eifion, most of the cycle path is litter free but some areas are awful. Our base will be on the old bridge as in previous litter picks. We will be splitting up into 2 groups with some volunteers starting in Bontnewydd to work their way back towards Caernarfon while others starting at the beginning of the path in Caernarfon. Hopefully in the allotted 1.5 hours the two groups will meet some where around the ‘Crossing’ cache.
GCB4YY7 9US A Thank You, Cake and a Brew by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
When: Saturday 12th April 2025
Where: Old Bridge, Parc Dre, Caernarfon
Time: 3.30pm to 4pm
As a Thank You to our hard working volunteers we will be supplying refreshments and a chance to catch up, swap TB’s and enjoy some geochat while having a brew and cake.
GCB1A0D Meet&Greet at Caernarfon, Wales / Cymru by gingerfred99 Event D1/T1.5
When: Tuesday 15th April 2025
Where: Anglesey Arms, Caernarfon
Time: 6.30 to 7pm
Gingerfred99 is visiting our area and would like to meet local and other visiting geocachers to discuss our fascinating hobby, swap TB’s, get recommendations for geocaches and places to explore while on holiday from Germany.
In our area we have had five new caches, all placed by Clueless_Goose published and a some events for your diary, a CITO and after CITO event.
GCB5210 Church Micro 15374…Llanedwen by Clueless_Goose Multi D2.5/T1.5
Four of the new caches are an extension to the highly recommended Bryngwyn Slate Trail linking the end of the existing trail back to Rhostryfan. If parking at Rhostryfan this creates a circular walk.
GCB4VDV Alexandra Tramway by Traditional D2/T2
GCB4VZ4 Capel Hermon by Clueless_Goose Multi D2/T2
GCB4W7H Behind the Bush by Clueless_Goose Traditional D1/T1
GCB4W7Z Winging It by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2.5/T1.5
GCB4TNP Grit and Grime by Bradshaws65 Event D1/T1
When: Friday 11th April 2025
Where: Bridge End, Llangollen
Time: 6.15pm to 7.15pm
A chance for local and not so local cachers to meet up and discuss our fascinating hobby.
GCB4YXC CITO 2025 Season 1, Lon Eifion by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T2.5
When: Saturday 12th April 2025
Where: The Old Bridge, Morfa Parc, Caernarfon
Time: 2pm – 3.30pm
This is our last CITO to gain the Season 1 Souvenir. We will be concentrating our litter picking on Lon Eifion, most of the cycle path is litter free but some areas are awful. Our base will be on the old bridge as in previous litter picks. We will be splitting up into 2 groups with some volunteers starting in Bontnewydd to work their way back towards Caernarfon while others starting at the beginning of the path in Caernarfon. Hopefully in the allotted 1.5 hours the two groups will meet some where around the ‘Crossing’ cache.
GCB4YY7 9US A Thank You, Cake and a Brew by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
When: Saturday 12th April 2025
Where: Old Bridge, Parc Dre, Caernarfon
Time: 3.30pm to 4pm
As a Thank You to our hard working volunteers we will be supplying refreshments and a chance to catch up, swap TB’s and enjoy some geochat while having a brew and cake.
GCB53M3 Caernarfon, Gwynedd – Final Counties Tour by goldpot & FLtravelers Event D1/T2
When: Tuesday 29th April 2025
Where: Black Boys, Caernarfon
Time: 7pm to 8pm
Goldpot & FLtravelers are touring every area of the UK finding caches in every county. While in Gwynedd they are hosting this event and would like to meet up with local and not so local cachers to discuss our fascinating hobby.
GCB53QA Pontcysyllte, Wrexham – Final Counties Tour by goldpot & FLtravelers Event D1/T1.5
When: Wednesday 30th April 2025
Where: Pontcysyllte Viaduct
Time: 2pm to 2.45pm
A continuation of Goldpot & FLtravelers Uk geocaching tour of the UK.
GCAZVXE 2025 Community Celebration Event by Bess’s Friends Community Event D1/T1
When: Saturday 7th June 2025
Where: Rocklands, Cymyran Road, Caergeiliog, Anglesey LL65 3HN
Time: 1pm to 6pm
Join Bess’s friends for a BBQ followed by an afternoon of fun and games to celebrate 25 years of geocaching. If you have a favourite game they ask you to bring it along.
New Treasures
From April 1st two new Treasure collections, Navigational tools and Egg hunt, became available for geocachers to collect when they find and log qualifying geocaches. To access these collections, you must first complete the Celebrating 25 years collection.
Navigational tools
This collection celebrates the tools that explorers have used to navigate the world. The collection features five Treasures ranging from an astrolabe to a map.
You can collect these Treasures by finding and logging any Traditional geocache with a difficulty rating of 2 or higher, and a terrain rating of 1.5 or lower.
Egg hunt
This collection highlights seven different geocache types with seven different Treasures. Each Treasure in this collection has different criteria for the geocaches you have to find and log in order to collect the Treasure. The Treasure can be collected in any order:
We have replaced 2 of the caches that have regularly gone missing on Lon Eifion with different hides, just the same location. Hopefully this time they will stay in place!
GCB4QFY Lon Eifion, Another Oak Tree by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D3/T1.5
GCB4QFC Lon Eifion, Sycamore Gap Returns by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D3/T2
Event Reminder
GCB496T 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 76 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
When: Thursday 27th March, 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
CITO Season 1
After a recent maintenance run along Lon Eifion we were very disappointed on the amount of litter we found between Bontnewydd and Caernarfon. So we are planning another littering picking CITO for the weekend 12th/13th April. This will give anyone that has not collected CITO Season 1 souvenir a chance do so. Please let us know if you prefer Saturday or Sunday for this event.
Blue Switch Day Souvenirs
On May 2nd, 2000, the United States government decided to discontinue restricting GPS accuracy, known as Selective Availability, making GPS technology more accurate for everyone. May 2nd became known to geocachers as “Blue Switch Day.” The first geocache was hidden the following day on May 3rd, 2000.
To celebrate 25 years of geocaching there are two new souvenirs to earn for Blue Switch Day 2025, a finder and hider.
To earn the Blue Switch Day 2025 Finder souvenir log one geocache, attend an Event, or complete an Adventure Lab® Location between May 2nd and 4th.
To earn the Blue Switch Day 2025 Hider souvenir have any type of geocache excluding events and Ad Labs published between May 1st and 31st 2025.
We have one new event for your diary:
GCB1A0D Meet&Greet at Caernarfon, Wales / Cymru by gingerfred99 Event D1/T1.5
When: Tuesday 15th April 2025
Where: Anglesey Arms, Caernarfon
Time: 6.30 to 7pm
Gingerfred99 is visiting our area from Germany and would like to meet local and other visiting geocachers to discuss our fascinating hobby, swap TB’s, get recommendations for geocaches and places to explore while on holiday from Germany.
Treasure Collections
Geocaching’s newest feature ‘Treasures’ is now live. Collect the required Treasures to complete a collection. You can collect Treasure by finding and logging caches that meet specific criteria set by HQ. Below are the criteria for the first two collections:
Collection 1: Geocaching origins
You can collect these Treasures by finding and logging Traditional Caches.
Collection 1 has to be completed to unlock Collection 2.
Collection 2: Celebrating 25 years
You can collect these Treasures by finding and logging any type of geocache with a difficulty rating of 1.5 or lower. If you complete the ‘Celebrating 25 years’ collection, you will earn the ‘Celebrating 25 years’ souvenir.
Is Treasure available for Basic members?
Treasure is available to both Premium and Basic members, though some future collections may be Premium-only. The first collections being released are open to all. Premium members can use Advanced search to find caches that fit collection criteria.
Pete & I have found that logging the same cache does not mean you will receive the same Treasure!
For more details follow the link Treasures
Village Hall Week 2025
To celebrate Village Hall Week there are 71 events published for the week, which include 8 x community celebration events and 3 x CITO’s and only one of them is in Wales!
There are only 3 Village Hall caches in our area:
GC9FKR2 Village Hall Series 1141 – Beddgelert by Flowerpot_man Mystery D2.5/T1.5
GCADNZN Village Hall Series 1475 – Llanfairpwll by Glaslyn1 Traditional D2.5/T1.5
GC9Z8VX Village Hall Series 1336 – Betws-y-coed by Flowerpot_man Multi D2/T1.5
In Village Hall week there are 3 profile badges available for finding a Village Hall Cache, attending an event and hosting an event or placing a cache. For more details follow the link Village Hall Week 2025
A new mystery cache and an event for your diary:
GCB44PM Pi Puzzle Box by 9 Usual Suspects Mystery D4/T1
Event
GCB496T 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 76 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
When: Thursday 27th March, 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
Event Review
GCB3F98 Pi Day Party by 9 Usual Suspects
This event was part of 9 Usual Suspect 10th anniversary celebrations. 10 years ago before 9US had a geocaching account ‘A Slice of Pie’ hosted by naturesbyte was the event where several of the original 9 Usual Suspects first met.
For this event we had already planned to have a lot of different pies when we received a message from RichieBlod ‘Do you think we will have 25 different pies. We could then qualify for the locationless cache. I’ll do a poster anyway’. We like a challenge so the hunt for 25 different pies was on. A team effort, with the scouring of several different super market shelves and we had the required 25 pies.
Here is the list of pies that were devoured at the event:
Steak & Kidney, Steak, All Steak, Steak & Cornish Ale, Chicken Ham & Leek, Creamy Chicken Smoked Bacon & Leek, Chicken & Mushroom, Beef & Stilton, Minced Beef & Onion, Chilli Con Carne, Spinach Feta & Pine Nut, Wild Mushroom, Cheese Leek & Potato, Sweet Potato Feta & Pumpkin Seed, Curried Chick Pea Red Pepper & Spinach, Mini Pork Pies, Mini Cheese & Pickle Pork Pies, Pork Pie, Pork Egg Gala, Melton Mowbray, Apple & Blackcurrant, Apple, Cherry, Mince Pies, Hot Cross Pies.
A lovely afternoon of eating, geochat and playing with RichieBlods green screen was had by all. The new cache was found and the log signed after some teamwork mainly by our junior attendees. Thank you everyone for attending and the donations of pies. Maybe in the future a ‘tart’ event?
Here are a few photos from our day:
We have no new geocaches or Ad labs to report since our last post.
Event Reminder
GCB3F98 Pi Day Party by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Saturday 15th March, 2025
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle LL54 6BB
Time: 3.14pm to 5.14pm or when the last person leaves
This event is part of 9 Usual Suspect 10th anniversary celebrations, 10 years ago ‘A Slice of Pie’ was one of our first events
Join us for a P, P & P! The plan is to have as many different types of pie as possible for us all to sample, I think we can do better than our first attempt. Hopefully, there will also be a new Mystery Cache appearing very close to this event enabling us all to get the Pi Day souvenir. See below:
Pi Day 2025 Souvenir
Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi), observed on March 14th because the date (3/14) corresponds to the first three significant digits of π (3.14). The tradition began in the United States and has since gained worldwide recognition.
To earn earn the Pi Day souvenir find and log any Mystery Cache between Friday 14th March and Sunday 16th March. All non-Premium Mystery Caches are open to everyone throughout the weekend on the Geocaching® app from 11:00:00 UTC on Friday 14th March until 10:00:00 UTC on Monday 17th March, 2025.
Event Review
GCB34QK CITO 2025 Season 1 by 9 Usual Suspects CITO D1/T3
Followed by:
GCB34RZ 9 Usual Suspects Cake and a Brew by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
The weather was perfect for a litter pick, warm and dry, a lovely Spring day. We all headed off in different directions leaving Pete & Jack to tackle the steep drop below the bridge wall. In an hour an a half we managed to pick 10 bags of the usual cans, bottles and MacDonalds take away containers plus a few bazaar items, a paint tray, plate out of a microwave, carpet, a plug, bicycle bell, wooly hat, car parcel shelf and some laminate flooring.
While litter picking a local lady came over and asked me to pass on her thanks to everyone for keeping the area tidy and litter free, she said it is very much appreciated! Also we must thank Jack for securing us more litter picking equipment.
On returning to base we all enjoyed a drink and event cake accompanied with plenty of geochat before we all headed off leaving the area looking a lot tidier.
We have one new cache and and event for your diary:
GCB3YT3 Sit amongst the Daffs! by MonHunter Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXGMC 2025 Community Celebration Event EHDoT Great Orme by evanshorndean Event D1/T2
Where: Great Orme, Llandudno
When: Wednesday 9th July, 2025
Time: 4pm to 6pm
EvansHornDean are holidaying in the area and would like to meet up with local and visiting cachers to discuss our fascinating hobby.
Event Reminders
GCB34QK CITO 2025 Season 1 by 9 Usual Suspects CITO D1/T3
When: Saturday 8th March 2025
Where: The Old Bridge, Morfa Parc, Caernarfon
Time: 2pm – 3.30pm
We will be meeting at the old bridge, Morfa Parc, Caernarfon, on Saturday 8th March at 2pm. Our task for the day will be to pick up as much litter as possible starting from the the bridge, around the park then following the River Seiont to Lon Eifion. If we get enough volunteers we will pick the wooded area behind Tesco.
Please arrive promptly to ensure you attend the safety briefing. The event will last for 1.5 hours finishing at 3.30pm and then we will have cake and a brew!
GCB34RZ 9 Usual Suspects Cake and a Brew by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
When: Saturday 8th March 20254
Where: Old Bridge, Parc Dre, Caernarfon
Time: 3.30pm to 4pm
Piratemania Camping
GCB0V77 Piratemania 17 Sudeley Castle – SAILING WEST
Camping is now open for those Pirates that would like a berth, you can find camping at this link:
Event Review
GCB34PF CITO, A487 North, Another Quick Pick by 9 Usual Suspects CITO D1/T4.5
Well we could have done without the wind, but at least it was dry. In an ideal world we would not have to do litter picks as everyone would take responsibility for their rubbish not throw it out their cars, but until then we will try and take care of our local environment. From this lay-by we collected 10 bags of general litter plus an array of bazaar items including a wall light, storage box, Radox shower gel, a pint lager glass, lid of a motorcycle top box, clothing including underwear, a pillow, pipe insulation, a tyre and road signs.
Here are a few pictures of our day:
March Equinox Souvenir
From March 20th to 23rd, 2025, find one geocache, Event Cache, or Adventure Lab® Location to earn the March Equinox Souvenir.
The artwork for this souvenir is inspired by the birds, crowned cranes, whose migratory patterns represent seasonal change.
Northern Hemisphere:
The Red-crowned crane represents harmony and the balance of life.
Southern Hemisphere:
The Grey crowned crane represents change and a renewal of life.
Festival of the Sea: Flint
This festival is outside our area but may be of interest to some of our readers.
The UK’s first Festival of the Sea celebrating all things marine in this beautiful coastal town of Flint.
Celebrate the sea around Flintshire at Flint Castle with activities and stands. This free family-friendly festival will have plenty for people of all ages and abilities. No booking is required, simply turn up on the day, some activities and workshops will be limited to a certain number. To make sure of a place sign up to any specific events on the day.
All activities, workshops and stalls are free to attend thanks to sponsorship by the Welsh Government Coastal Capacity Fund.
Attendees include: RNLI, The Royal Navy, Flintshire Coast Park, Keep Wales Tidy, Mold Pastic Reduction, Seawatch Foundation, Nature Keen, Kirsty Hall, Natural Resources Wales, and Rainbow Biz.
Another quiet week for geocaching with no new caches or Ad Labs published in our area since our last post.
Event Reminders
We have two CITO events this week and on Saturday, an after CITO event where we will be offering refreshments to all our hard working volunteers. By attending either CITO events you will earn the following souvenir:
GCB34PF CITO, A487 North, Another Quick Pick by 9 Usual Suspects CITO D1/T4.5
When: Wednesday 5th March 2025
Where: A487 North Lay by
Time: 11am to 12pm
GCB34QK CITO 2025 Season 1 by 9 Usual Suspects CITO D1/T3
When: Saturday 8th March 2025
Where: The Old Bridge, Morfa Parc, Caernarfon
Time: 2pm – 3.30pm
GCB34RZ 9 Usual Suspects Cake and a Brew by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
When: Saturday 8th March 20254
Where: Old Bridge, Parc Dre, Caernarfon
Time: 3.30pm to 4pm
Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday
Today is Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, it is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. In the Christian calendar Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter, was traditionally a time of fasting and by some is still observed today. The name Shrove Tuesday derives from Anglo-Saxon when Christians who went to confession the Tuesday before Lent were “shriven”, absolved from their sins.
Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year and falls between February 3 and March 9. In 2025 Shrove Tuesday will fall on March 4th.
Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients. A pancake is a thin, flat cake, made of batter and fried in a frying pan. A traditional English pancake is very thin and is served immediately.
The pancake has a very long history and featured in cookery books as far back as 1439. The tradition of tossing or flipping them is almost as old. In the UK pancake races often form a part of the Shrove Tuesday celebrations.
Every year a famous pancake race takes place at Olney in Buckinghamshire. According to tradition, in 1445 a woman of Olney heard the shriving bell while she was making pancakes and ran to the church in her apron, still clutching her frying pan. The Olney pancake race is now world famous. Competitors have to be local housewives and they must wear an apron and a hat or scarf. Each contestant has a frying pan containing a hot pancake. She must toss it three times during the race. The first woman to complete the course at the church door has to serve her pancake to the shriven bell ringer and be kissed by him to be declared the winner.
How will you have your pancakes? In our house it will be with lemon juice and sugar.
We have no new caches, events or Ad Labs to report but some local attractions do have free entry on Saturday to celebrate St. David’s Day.
Dydd Dewi Sant/Saint Davids Day
As part of St David’s Day celebrations Portmeirion and CADW sites are offering free entry.
Portmeirion Village
Entry to Portmeirion on St David’s Day, Saturday, 1st March is free.
Explore the picturesque village, take in the stunning scenery, shops and cafes. The village will be open from 9:30am to 5:30pm, and no ticket is needed—simply head to the tollbooth for complimentary entry.
CADW
To celebrate St. David’s day CADW have free access to 130 of their sites across Wales. From castles to abbeys and industrial heritage sites, entry to 19 CADW properties that normally charge admission will be free on St David’s Day but they are asking visitors to consider gifting a donation to Welsh cancer charity, Tenovus. Tenovus is the Welsh Government staff charity of the year.
As part of your St. David’s Day celebrations why not visit a local castle?
Dydd Dewi Sant Daffodils (Castell Caernarfon)
Saturday 1 March, 10:00 – 16:00
Celebrate Wales’ national flower with Castell Caernarfon’s paper daffodil-making workshop after looking around this middle-aged castle.
St. David’s Day Celebration (Castell Conwy)
Saturday 1st March, 11:00 – 11:30 and 14:00 – 14:30
In north Wales, to celebrate Dydd Dewi Sant, you can experience the sounds of Côr Meibion Maelgwn Male Voice Choir, as you explore our medieval castle at Castell Conwy for a day of celebrations.
Celebrating St. David’s Day (Denbigh Castle)
Saturday 1 March, 10:00 – 16:00
Wear your best Welsh traditional dress, or simply a red item for a lively day of music, baked goods and crafts at medieval fortress, Denbigh Castle.
For more details visit CADW website
Geocaching in Your Pajamas Day Souvenir
Pajama Day is a day when people wear pajamas to school or work instead of their regular clothes and is often a way to raise money for charity.
To earn this souvenir simply log any geocache, Adventure Lab® Location, or attend an Event on Wednesday 16th April, 2025. There is no requirement to post a picture of yourself caching in your pj’s. Note unlike other souvenirs this souvenir is only available for the day, Wednesday 16th April.
Are you going to celebrate Pajama Day by geocaching in your pajamas?
As modelled by Jude100 pajamas and wellies can make the prefect geocaching outfit.