Author: Ann

News & New Caches 78

Another quiet week in the world of geocaching, just one new traditional cache and a CITO event to report since our last post.

GCA5NGT Great wall of pentrefelin by ClareSion14 Traditional D1.5/T2

CITO Event

GCA5MYF CITO 2023 Season 1, Let’s Make Spaces for Wildlife by 9 Usual Suspects

We have a wide variety of activities planned, from making bat/bird boxes, insect/beetle buckets, bee-friendly seed bombs and learning to recognise the diverse wildlife that surrounds us while out geocaching.

We will be suppling all materials and tools, the Cache Bar will be open with drinks available on a self service basis and it wouldn’t be a 9 US event without cake!

When: Friday 7th April, 2023 (Good Friday)
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle, Caernarfon LL54 6BB
Time: 2.00-4.00pm

To help us with planning the day please remember to log a ‘will attend’ stating the number of adults and children that will be attending.

Event Reminder

GCA5C5J CITO 2023 Season 1 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T3

Our task for the day will be to pick up as much litter as possible starting from our base on the old bridge, around the park then following the River Seiont towards Lon Eifion plus the wooded area behind Tesco. By attending this event you will earn ‘CITO 2023 Season 1’ souvenir.

When: Saturday 18th March 2023
Where: Caernarfon
Time: 11am-1pm

2023 Event Calendar

This a rough guide of our events for 2023. Please note dates, times and venues may change and will be confirmed on event publication.

March

18th Saturday GCA5C5J CITO 2023 Season 1, Litter picking around the park at Caernarfon 11am-1pm
29th Wednesday Nosh & Natter 55, 7-9pm venue to be confirmed

April

7th Friday (Good Friday) CITO 2023 Season 1 A different kind of CITO, we will be making Bird/Bat Boxes, Insect Houses and taking a look at the nature that surrounds us while out geocaching. Pete & Ann’s 2-4pm
26th Wednesday Nosh & Natter 56, 7-9pm venue to be confirmed
29th Saturday Mega Event GC9MAXX London Calling 2023 11am-4pm

May

28th Sunday GCA5EAK 9 Usual Suspects Re-visit Ynys Enlli 12-4pm
31st Wednesday Nosh & Natter 57, 7-9pm venue to be confirmed

June

11th Sunday Coed y Brenin 10.30-11am followed by, what may be an ambitious, walk to find the 11 caches placed on the forest trails.
28th Wednesday Nosh & Natter 58, 7-9pm venue to be confirmed

July

6th Thursday Ballast Island an evening event 6.15pm-6.45pm to be confirmed
26th Wednesday Nosh & Natter 59, 7-9pm venue to be confirmed
29th Saturday Mega Event GCA2BBR Piratemania 15 Pirates Royalists & Roundheads 10am-10pm

August

5th Saturday Mega Event GC9V5J3 Milton Keynes UK Mega 2023 10am-4pm
19th Saturday International Geocaching Day, 2-6pm Pete & Ann’s
30th Wednesday Nosh & Natter 60, 7-9pm venue to be confirmed

September

2nd Saturday An event at the site of the wreck SS Denham. This event is governed by a very low tide being between 8-8.30am giving plenty of time to walk out to the wreck. While at the wreck site we will be discovering GC9P8M2 RIP SS Denham Virtual D5/T5.
16th Saturday CITO 2023 Season 2 details to be confirmed
27th Wednesday Nosh & Natter 61, 7-9pm venue to be confirmed

October

7th Saturday International Earthcache Day, suggested location Black Rock Sands but this depends on tides.
25th Wednesday Nosh & Natter 62, 7-9pm venue to be confirmed

November

19th Sunday GIFF 2-4pm venue to be confirmed
29th Wednesday Christmas Nosh & Natter 63, 7-9pm venue to be confirmed

December

31st Sunday Goodbye 2023 times venue to be confirmed

Dates still to be arranged.

An update on Porthmadog’s PanIQ Rooms, Christmas Chaos closes on 5th March once the ‘The Clairvoyant’s Curse’ is back up and running we will arrange an afternoon event in the Australia while the non-competitive teams try to escape the Clairvoyant’s Curse.

A day trip to Dublin.

News & New Caches 77

One new traditional cache an a CITO event have been published since our last post.

GCA5C3D Maiden Hide by Ironknights1908 Traditional D2.5/T3

CITO Event

GCA5C5J CITO 2023 Season 1 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T3
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 towards Lon Eifion plus the wooded area behind Tesco. By attending this event you will earn ‘CITO 2023 Season 1’ souvenir.

Ynys Enlli/Bardsey Island Trip Update

GCA5EAK 9 Usual Suspects Re-Visit Ynys Enlli by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T4

Well this trip proved to be far more popular than expected, we have booked all the places on the 11.30am boat.

Important Information

As trips are dependent on good weather please be aware that our crossing may be subject to cancellation at very short notice. Sailings are confirmed around 6.30pm on the evening prior to departure. Bearing this in mind payment is made on the day in cash, therefore no deposits are needed.

Fares: Adult £45.00 Child £25.00

The parking is in the National Trust car park, (N 52° 47.941 W 004° 43.915, Sat Nav LL53 8DA, Grid Ref SH163255), from here there is a 10 minute walk to Porth Meudwy along a rough fisherman’s track. There is no parking at point of departure.

You are advised to wear waterproofs for the crossing. Life jackets are mandatory and will be issued before departure.

There is a café at Tŷ Pellaf farm, run by the Roberts family, which serves a limited variety of drinks, ice cream, snacks and homemade cakes. It is advisable to bring your own supplies as the café can sometimes run low!

Dogs are not permitted to visit the island.

The Bardsey Island Trust does not permit the flying of private drones anywhere on the island.

We will give more details nearer the day.

Ynys Enlli/Bardsey Island Trip

We are trying to organise a day trip to Ynys Enlli/Bardsey Island. Would you be interested?

A Bit About the Island
It is suggested the island was inhabited from as early as the bronze age. It is known as the island of 20,000 saints, owing to the Celtic and Christian monasteries established there since the 6th century. The population of Ynys Enlli, which is 1.5 miles long and no more than half a mile across, has fluctuated over the centuries. Today the permanent winter population is two but In the summer they are joined by visitors who help work the land, record the bird and wildlife and manage the 9 self catering cottages. The island is off-grid with most of the buildings unchanged since they were built in the 19th century.

Bardsey Island is the first site in Europe to receive a dark sky sanctuary certification, thanks to low light pollution and pristine night skies.

Photo Andy YnysMonBirders on our 2016 trip

As well as puffins and seals there is plenty to explore and history to discover. Currently there are 2 sets of Adventure Labs and 2 traditional geocaches, we will also be holding an event on the island.

The Plan
Proposed date is Sunday 28th May leaving Porth Meudwy at 11.30am.
Cost £45.00 per adult and £25.00 per child
There are only 12 adult places on this boat.
We will be on the island for approximately 4 hours.
You do not have to be a geocacher to join us.

If you would like to join us please contact us ASAP so that we can book, being a Bank Holiday weekend places are already limited.

News & New Caches 76

We have two new traditional caches and an adventure lab published since our last post.

GCA52BT Cerdded yn y Coed / Walk in the Woods by Hitch-Hikers Traditional D2/T2
GCA5663 West End parade by ___einierwilliams Traditional D1.5/T1.5

Colwyn Bay created by escapefromwork Nonsequential
This 5 stage lab cache takes you on a tour around this pretty seaside town. Apologies to Dawn for missing this one off our last post.

Event Reminders

GCA4CH4 9 Usual Suspects Get Puzzled by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1.5

When: Sunday 26th February, 2023
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle, Caernarfon LL54 6BB
Time: 2.30-4.30pm

Are you stuck on a puzzle cache? Maybe we can help one another with hints and some fresh ideas, so come and join us for an afternoon of puzzle fun. We will also have a wide selection of puzzle boxes, some easy and some to drive you mad!

Not interested in puzzles caches? Then still join us for a geochat, the Cache Bar will be open, hot drinks will be available on a self service basis and it wouldn’t be a 9US event without cake!

Parking is at the house, please note our gateway is very narrow and the pillars are not forgiving!

GCA4W8J 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 54 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1


When: Tuesday 28th February, 202
Where: Anglesey Arms, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

For this months Nosh & Natter we are returning to the Anglesey Arms, Caernarfon, I’m assured that they will be open for food……… Please note this event is on Tuesday 28th.

Thank You

GCA4ENX 9 Usual Suspects Visit Martin & Linda by 9 Usual Suspect D1/T1

We would like to thank Martin and Linda for their hospitality, PPR for setting the adventure lab and bonus cache, and everyone for joining us on a very cold Sunday.

News & New Caches 75

Firstly we would like to thank everyone who responded to our ‘Event Suggestions’ in our last post. Looks like we are going to have a busy fun filled year. We will shortly be publishing an event calendar for 2023.

One new Adventure Lab plus bonus has appeared since our last post.

Premium Member Only
GCA4HY7 Y Felinheli Hike Bonus Cache by escapefromwork Traditional D2.5/T2

Adventure Lab

Y Felinheli Hike by escapefromwork Nonsequential

This Adventure Lab explores the pretty village of Y Felinheli, situated on the banks of the Menai Straits with beautiful views across the water to Ynys Mon. Remember to collect the bonus information.

Event

GCA4W8J 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 54 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
When: Tuesday 28th February, 2023
Where: Anglesey Arms, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

For this months Nosh & Natter we are returning to the Anglesey Arms, Caernarfon, I’m assured that they will be open for food……… Please note this event is on Tuesday 28th.

Event Reminder

GCA4ENX 9 Usual Suspects Visit Martin & Linda by 9 Usual Suspect D1/T1
When: Sunday 19th February, 2023
Where: Bryntirion Inn, Llandderfel, Bala LL23 7RA
Time: 12-1pm

We are heading to the Bryntirion for a couple of reasons, Sunday lunch and to discover this Adventure Lab cache ‘Whodunnit at the Bryntirion Inn?’
Join us as we play detectives to solve the classic murder mystery and then find the bonus cache.
GC9G549 Whodunnit at the Bryntirion Inn – Labcache Bonus by PhilPamAndRob Puzzle D3.5/T2.5
There is no online menu but for Sunday lunch there will be a choice of roast beef, lamb, or chicken and 3 vegetarian options for £11.95.
Need a lift? Contact Pete or Ann.

Valentines Gift from HQ

Geocaching have updated the Geocaching® app so all players can see highly Favourited caches at a glance.  Caches are highlighted by their Favourite point total above their cache icon on the map. To commemorate this occasion, they are giving all Premium members an extra 10 Favourite points to award. Furthermore, to recognise that there wouldn’t be caches to find and give Favourite points to without our community’s ingenious hiders, all Premium members who own a geocache, will receive 20 extra Favourite points.
This caused great amusement in our household due to Naturesbyte’s reluctancy to parting with favourite points, he has accumulated the grand sum of 237 unused points, with the addition of the ‘bonus 20’ his total currently stands at 257. Can anyone beat this?

News & New Caches 74

One new cache to report since our last post:

GCA4KZ5 Church Micro 14669…Llangristiolus by Glaslyn1 Premium Member Only Traditional D2/T2

Announcement from the Piratemaina Crew

GCA2BBR Piratemania 15 Pirates Royalists & Roundheads by Piratemania Crew Mega Event

‘Arrrrrr pirates the crew are proud to announce that camping booking is now open click on the tent icon below to take you to the shop to book your pitch Arrrrrrrr’

This year there are ONLY 2 on site camping options 

Option # 1
Camper / Caravan / Muti occupancy tent
WITH EHU OPTION
10m x 10m pitch
(2 adults and child / children under 18 included).

1 Night (+£28.00)
2 nights (+£54.00)
3 nights (+£78.00)
4 nights (+£100.00)

Option #2 Camper / Caravan / small tent
NO ELECTRICS
5m x 5m pitch – berthing “as crew see fit”
(1 adult & child / children under 18 included).

1 Night (+£23.00)
2 nights (+£44.00)
3 nights (+£63.00)
4 nights (+£80.00)

Additional adults will be charged at £8 per night per person

Booked. See you there…………

Event Suggestions

We are in the process of putting an event calendar together for 2023 which includes the usual N&N, CITO’s and UK Mega Events. But what about other events and activities? Below are some suggestions which we would like feed back on, but we would also like to hear from you with your ideas for events, trips and visits.

Trip to Bardsey Island
There are currently 2 traditional caches and 2 Adventure labs on the island. The trip is £45.00 per person and £23.00 per child. You are on the island for approx 4 hours. To see the puffins we need to do this event before the end of May/beginning of June.

Day Trip to Dublin
Stena are offering ‘booze cruise day trips’ from £12.00, since our last visit to Dublin we have left the EU which means there is an opportunity to purchase Duty Free. It is a long day leaving on the 9am ferry and arriving back in Holyhead around midnight.

PanIQ Rooms
A return to Porthmadog’s PanIQ Rooms to attempt ‘The Clairvoyant’s Curse’.

Trip to Wirral
GC9P8M2 RIP SS Denham by Conoronoc Virtual D5/T5
The above cache is only accessible at low tide when it is possible to walk out to the wreck. To make a day trip there are many caches in the area for us to find.

BBQ & Beer Festival
This event would be at Pete & Ann’s. We are very lucky to have several very good local breweries that supply mini kegs which would make this event possible.

Event at Coed y Brenin
Before Covid we spoke to Coed y Brenin about holding an event here. There is 11 caches to be found on the walking/mountain bike forest trails. As well as the visitors centre with café there are children’s play areas and plenty of picnic tables.
The parking charges are: £2 for 2 hours plus 40p for every additional 20 minutes (maximum £7 per day)

News & New Caches 73

Since our last post there have been one new cache and 2 new events published all by 9 Usual Suspects.

GCA4DX7 Bats, Bats, Bats by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D3/T1.5
Congratulations Ecobake on FTF.

Events

GCA4ENX 9 Usual Suspects Visit Martin & Linda by 9 Usual Suspect D1/T1
When: Sunday 19th February, 2023
Where: Bryntirion Inn, Llandderfel, Bala LL23 7RA
Time: 12-1pm

We are heading to the Bryntirion for a couple of reasons, Sunday lunch and to discover this Adventure Lab cache ‘Whodunnit at the Bryntirion Inn?’
Join us as we play detectives to solve the classic murder mystery and then find the bonus cache.
GC9G549 Whodunnit at the Bryntirion Inn – Labcache Bonus by PhilPamAndRob Puzzle D3.5/T2.5
There is no online menu but for Sunday lunch there will be a choice of roast beef, lamb, or chicken and 3 vegetarian options for £11.95.

A message from Southerntrekker ‘Hope you enjoy your day out, my favourite ones are the ones that involve a pub!’

GCA4CH4 9 Usual Suspects Get Puzzled by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1.5
When: Sunday 26th February, 2023
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle, Caernarfon LL54 6BB
Time: 2.30-4.30pm

Are you stuck on a puzzle cache? Maybe we can help one another with hints and some fresh ideas, so come and join us for an afternoon of puzzle fun. We will also have a wide selection of puzzle boxes, some easy and some to drive you mad!

Not interested in puzzles caches? Then still join us for a geochat, the Cache Bar will be open, hot drinks will be available on a self service basis and it wouldn’t be a 9 US event without cake!

News & New Caches 72

One new traditional cache has been published since our last post and one event awaiting publication.

GCA47BR Mural by Glaslyn1 Traditional D2/T1.5

Event

GCA4CH4 9 Usual Suspects Get Puzzled by 9 Usual Suspects

When: Sunday 26th February, 2023
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle LL54 6BB (Pete & Ann’s)
Time: 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Are you stuck on a puzzle cache? Maybe we can help one another with hints and some fresh ideas, so come and join us for an afternoon of puzzle fun.

Not interested in puzzles caches? Then still join us for a geochat, the Cache Bar will be open, hot drinks will be available on a self service basis and it wouldn’t be a 9US event without cake!

February Nosh & Natter

Please note this event will be Tuesday 28th, venue to be confirmed.

Signal’s Labyrinth Challenge, The Dragon’s Lair

Monday 6th February sees the end of the current labyrinth challenge and the beginning of the final labyrinth in this challenge, The Dragon’s Lair. Like the other maze challenges there are 2 souvenirs available, you must collect 50 points to earn the first souvenir and 500 points to earn the second souvenir.

Each labyrinth in Signal’s Labyrinth challenge has different point values for finding geocaches, Adventures, and bonus items. In the Dragon’s Lair finding a multi cache is worth the maximum 35 points, with the bonus item, hams, earning an extra 50 points. For some reason Geocaching HQ believe a dragons favourite food is ham! Like previous mazes the bonuses are awarded randomly. The maximum number of points you can earn for any cache log is 85 points.

Found an Adventure Lab Cache (Adventure Location)10
Found a Multi-Cache35
Found a Mystery Cache30
Attended an Event25
Found a cache with 10+ Favorite points20
Found a Signal’s Labyrinth item50
Found it*15

*Log a Found it on any other cache type

This challenge runs until Monday 3rd April 2023. If you’ve earned all 12 available Signal’s Labyrinth souvenirs from each of the 6 labyrinths, you will be awarded the “You brought Signal back to HQ” souvenir.

Save the bees: but which ones? (Menai Bridge) by North Wales Wildlife Trust

Nothing to do with geocaching but may bee of interest. This free lecture about bees and the threats they face is by Jonathan Garratt. You do not have to be a member to attend. For more information and to book visit North Wales Wildlife Trust .

When: Wednesday 22 February 2023
Where: Thomas Telford Centre, Mona Road, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5EA
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm

News & New Caches 71

One new cache and one new Adventure Lab has been published since our last post.

GCA45AB Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay by Glaslyn1 Traditional D2/T2

Adventure Lab
Dinas Mawddwy by Oldquincepie, 4 nonsequential stages
This Adventure Lab explores Dinas Mawddwy a village at the southern edge of the Eryri / Snowdonia National Park.

Event Reminder

GCA3QRN 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 53 by 9 usual Suspects
When: Wednesday 25th January, 2023
Where: Black Boys Inn, Stryd Pedwar a Chwech, Caernarfon LL55 1RW
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

Yes, this is tonight!

We have struggled to find a pub who can guarantee that their kitchens will be open on Wednesday evenings, hopefully this is only going to be a short term problem. We regret that dogs are not allowed in Black Boys building but are allowed at the tables out side.

Geocaching International Film Festival

It has been confirmed that GIFF is returning in 2023. Events will be held from November 9 – November 19, 2023. We are awaiting further announcements on what is going to be GIFF-erent this year!