Xmas Greetings from the 9 Usual Suspects

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for geocaching! And as we gather with our fellow geocachers to celebrate the holiday season, we can’t help but think about the “Usual Suspects” we might encounter on the trails.

First, there’s the “Grinch” cacher who hides caches they have found in more difficult, obscure locations, to give others a bit harder challenge. But don’t worry, a little determination (and possibly a GPS signal boost) will help you track them down.

Then there’s the “Elf” cacher who is always full of cheer and ready to lend a helping hand to others. It’s a good thing they’re around, because without them we might all turn into the “Scrooge” cachers, who always are grumbling about the cold, rain and the mud.

Of course, no geocaching adventure is complete without encountering a few “Reindeer” cachers – you know, the ones that are always on the move replacing damaged logs and containers. And let’s not forget the “Santa” cacher who generously shares their caching knowledge with the rest of the community and replenishes SWAG, bringing joy to junior cachers.

So as we set out on our holiday geocaching adventures, see how many of these Christmas cacher types you can spot.

Thank You from Gwynedd Council

A message from Norman Hughes, Clean & Tidy Officer, Gwynedd Council. On behalf of the council he would like to Thank all litter pickers for their fantastic work throughout the last year and to say they appreciate all that you do. He also would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone Nadolig Llawen, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

And finally…………..

A Christmas Cracker Joke to get you all in the mood:

What do they sing at a snowman’s birthday? – “Freeze a jolly good fellow…”

From all of us at Nine Usual Suspects, we wish you a very
Merry Christmas/Nadolig Llawen!

Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro Rugged Smartphone: The Ultimate Outdoor Companion

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you know the importance of having a reliable and rugged smartphone by your side. The Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro Rugged Smartphone is designed specifically with durability and versatility in mind, making it the perfect choice for anyone who loves to spend time in the great outdoors.

One of the standout features of the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro is its ruggedness. It’s built to withstand even the toughest conditions, with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. This means that it can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes without any damage. It’s also shockproof, able to withstand drops from up to 1.5 meters without any damage.

In addition to its rugged design, the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro is packed with features that make it perfect for outdoor activities. It has a large 5.5 inch HD display that’s perfect for viewing maps and other information, even in bright sunlight. It also has a powerful 8-core processor and 4GB of RAM, making it capable of handling even the most demanding apps and games.

But where the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro really shines is in its GPS capabilities. It’s equipped with high-precision GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou navigation systems, allowing you to track your location and movements with incredible accuracy. This is especially useful for activities like geocaching, where it’s important to get a quick lock onto your exact location and give exact readings to that elusive cache.

The Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro also has a range of other features that make it perfect for outdoor adventures. It has a long-lasting 8150mAh battery, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power when you’re out in the wilderness, I got a day of heavy GPS usage without having to recharge the phone and never ran out of battery. It also has a 16MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, allowing you to capture stunning photos and videos of your adventures.

Overall, the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro is an excellent choice for anyone who loves spending time outdoors. Its rugged design, powerful specs, and advanced GPS capabilities make it a fantastic outdoor companion. Whether you’re hiking through the mountains or exploring the wilderness in search of that cache, the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro has you covered. The phone is priced at £155 but as can be found for less.

News & New Caches 65

Just two new traditional caches published since our last post:

GCA2QQK Golygfa Cob Porthmadog (Porthmadog Cob View) by Hitch-Hikers Traditional D1.5/T2.5
GCA2TNZ Cornel Cob Crwn (Cob Crwn Corner) by Hitch-Hikers Traditional D2/T1.5

Be safe in the hills and mountains this winter

To have safe adventures in the hills and mountains, it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared for the conditions. Here are some tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable time:

Check the weather forecast before you go and plan your route accordingly. The UK can experience harsh weather conditions, remember that the weather can change in minutes, so it’s important to be prepared for the elements.
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Layering is key to staying warm, and sturdy boots with good grip are essential for hiking on slippery terrain, if you are going up on to the ice, ensure you have the correct equpment .
Tell someone your plans. Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. This will allow them to raise the alarm if you don’t return as expected.
Take a map and compass and know how to use them. It’s also a good idea to carry a GPS device in case you get lost, don’t rely on your phone, battery life is dramatically reduced in freezing conditions.
Bring food and water. Pack enough water and snacks to keep you going, especially if you’re planning a long hike.
Be aware of your surroundings. Watch out for steep drops, loose rocks, and other potential hazards.
Stay on trails. This will help you avoid getting lost and will also protect the environment.
Be prepared for emergencies. Carry a first aid kit and know how to use it. It’s also a good idea to have a mobile phone with you in case you need to call for help.

By following these tips and using common sense, you can have a safe and enjoyable adventures this winter.

9 Usual Suspects 2022

We are in the process of compiling a YouTube video of our 2022 Geocaching adventures. Have you any photos/video that you would like to be included? If so please email them to me, ann@birdbrook.net, in original or large format.

and finally…..

Ale Trail June 11th 2022

As “post-pandemic normality” creeps back into everyday life the first local Ale Trail since 2020 has been announced. With an all new route including nine of our favorite pubs to visit. If you have never been on the Ale Trail, in the past there has been a wide variety of beers, including our local microbreweries Purple Moose, Cwrw Llyn, Bragdy Lleu and Cwrw Cader, all served in some of the very best, off the beaten track and hidden pubs that the area has to offer. I hope to see you there.
Tickets are £20 in advance, £22 on the day available from all participating pubs from May and online. Full details here

Answers to the Big 2021 Quiz

Here are the log awaited answers to the Big 2021 Quiz. How did you do?

Who was the winner of the Grand National? Horse & Jockey

Minella Times ridden by Rachael Blackmore who became the first woman to win the race
Which country won the Eurovision Song Contest?

Italy won with the song “Zitti e buoni” by Måneskin
Pete & Ann were away on holiday for nearly all September, Where were they?

Azores, Portugal
Which county was this years UK Mega held in?

Lincolnshire
In which month did Prince Philip die?

April 9th
What vehicle did Prince Philip choose to carry his coffin at his funeral?

Land Rover Defender TD5 130
A new £50 note entered circulation in June this year. Which scientist is celebrated on the new note?

Alan Turing
A ship blocked the Suez Canal for days causing worldwide delays: What was the name of the vessel?

Ever Given
A legal dispute hit the headlines in April when Colin launched legal proceedings against Cuthbert: Who are Colin and Cuthbert?

Caterpillar cakes, from Marks & Spencer and Aldi respectively
Bitcoin became the official currency in which Central American country?

El Salvador
The Zoom meeting of a UK council went viral this year, with one guest memorably exclaiming “You do not have the authority, Jackie Weaver!” What council was it?

Handforth Parish Council
The cast of which long-running American sitcom reunited for the first time since the show’s finale in 2004 this year?

Friends
Who was the female tennis star from South London who won the US Open this year?

Emma Raducanu
Which American singer terminated a 13-year legal conservatorship giving their father and others control over their finances and personal life?

Britney Spears
This year ITV announced they had axed The X Factor – what year was the show first aired?

2004
What is Adele’s long awaited album called?

30
Matt Hancock resigned as Health Secretary in June, after being caught doing something in his office – what was it?

Cameras caught him snogging his aide Gina Coladangelo
In January 2021, online retailer Boohoo acquired which brand and website for £55 million?

Debenhams
Which news channel was launched on 13 June?

GB News
Who was the former owner of a Ford Escort sold at auction for more than £52,000?

Princess Diana was the owner of the 1981 Ford Escort Mk 3 Ghia
Police are called as hundreds flock to Diddly Squat Farm Shop – who is its famous owner?

Jeremy Clarkson
What is the name of the new James Bond film?

No Time To Die
September saw the eruption of a volcano on which Canary Island?

La Palma
The 2021 Labour Party conference took place in which seaside resort?

Brighton
The contactless payment limit is increased from £45 to how much?

£100
Alec Baldwin was filming on the set of which upcoming film when a terrible and fatal accident occurred?

Rust
Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenne visited which British non-league football club’s stadium for the first time since buying it earlier in the year?

Wrexham AFC
Voyage is a studio album released on 5 November 2021 by which group?

Abba
Which supermarket chain spoofed the John Lewis Christmas advert?

Iceland
At the end of November, which country became the world’s newest republic?

Barbados
The northern part of which English county saw a massive swing from the Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats in a by-election?

Shropshire
Where was “I’m a Celebrity 2021” held?

Gwrych Castle
Who was the winner on “I’m a Celebrity 2021?

Danny Miller
What is the is the current Geocaching Souvenir Challenge called?

Reach the Peak
In February, Captain Sir Tom Moore passed away, aged 100. He raised more than £30m for NHS charities by initially walking how many laps of his garden?

100 laps of his 25 metre garden in Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire
In July, Unesco removed its world heritage status from which UK site?

Liverpool, because new buildings undermined the attractiveness of its Victorian docks
On which planet did Nasa fly a small helicopter called Ingenuity, bearing a fragment of the Wright brothers’ first aeroplane?

Mars
Name the drummer of the Rolling Stones, who died aged 80?

Charlie Watts
Who controversially won the Formula 1 Championship in Abu Dhabi?

Max Verstappen
Which sports personality was awarded an MBE for their campaigning to help vulnerable children?

Marcus Rashford
In June which MP defected from Conservative to Labour, calling his former party “reactionary, populist, nationalistic and sometimes even xenophobic”?

John Bercow former Speaker of the House of Commons
Which landscape in Northwest Wales is given UNESCO World Heritage status?

The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales
AUKUS, a trilateral security pact with was formed between the UK, Australia and the United States to provide what to Australia?

Nuclear Submarines
Who was the first civilian aboard his own winged rocket ship to reach space, attaining an altitude of 53 miles above ground—three miles beyond the threshold of space?

Richard Branson
Who filed a lawsuit against Disney — the parent company of Marvel Studios — over their decision to stream Black Widow on Disney+ simultaneously with the theatrical release?

Scarlett Johansson sued Disney, accusing Disney of breaching her contract
We all have heard of PCR Covid tests, what does PCR stand for?

Polymerase chain reaction
Which famous BBC DJ passed away on Christmas Day?

Janice Long
Who was the above’s famous brother?

Keith Chegwin
Which European country’s flag change went largely unnoticed?

France, the blue is now a darker shade
Slovenia laid claim to having the largest pile of which substance in Europe?

Charcoal

Geminids meteor shower.

As we approach the shortest day in mid December in the UK, on a clear night we see the Geminids meteor shower. This is one of the most active and reliable meteor showers in the astronomical calendar. Although this peaks on the early morning around 14th, it starts on the 4th and extends to the 16th of December. The best time to see this phenomenon is around 02:00 to 03:00 in the morning. The name Geminids comes from the “apparent” source of the shower the Gemini constellation which is currently to the east. That said, meteors from this shower can appear from just about anywhere in the sky, although they will appear predominantly from the direction of the Gemini constellation. Meteors are small stony or metallic natural objects from space usually the remains of a comet or collision between asteroids. When a meteoroid enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it is traveling faster than a speeding bullet, estimated to be greater than 11 km per second (25,000 miles per hour). Friction produced by the collision with the atmosphere, causes them to vaporise, and heat the air around it giving the characteristic trail, any colour is given by the material that is burning usually white for iron-nickel but can be blue, green or red . If the meteor reaches the ground it’s known as a meteorite.
The Geminids are intensifying every year and recent showers have seen 120–160 meteors per hour!

Here’s hoping for a clear sky tonight.

Saturday’s Litter Pick

GC9HE10 CITO Season 2 by 9 Usual Suspects

19 geocachers gathered for Cache in Trash Out (CITO) season 2 at Morfa Common Park / Parc Y Dre on the banks of Arfon Seiont, returning for the 5th time since 2018. As we stood in the drizzle for the safety briefing it was an unpromising damp start, both in the weather and the amount of litter that had accumulated since our last pick at this location. We split up into groups and got on with the task in hand keeping a steady flow of bags back to the collection point, for kerbside sorting of the recyclables into their respective categories. As the litter pick progressed, the weather improved with some autumnal blue sky putting in an appearance and Morfa Common Park looking much tidier than when we had started. We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone for all your hard work.

Thanks Andy (YnysMonBirders) for the photos.

We would like to make everyone aware that a syringe complete with needle was found in one of the arches. Please be vigilant when out and about geocaching, you never know what you may come across.

Our GPS history and why we still use them along with our phones

We have been using a GPS since we started Geocaching way back in 2010. Our first GPS was the eTrex 10 with no maps, we just ‘followed the arrow’, it did however support downloading Geocaching GPX files via USB which made it ideal for Geocaching. A testament to the eTrex’s toughness and simple design is that this model, although revised is still available today. It was bomb proof had no touch screen just a thumb-operated joystick, monochrome display and a pointer to where the destination was, and how far away it was. The eTrex has exceptional battery life but was slow to get a signal and its accuracy was truly hit or miss under tree canopies. This little unit spawned many adventures for us.

Garmin eTrex 10 Patche99z, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

After a few years of finding ourselves on the wrong side of a river or having to make a long hike due to a dual carriageway or some other obstacle blocking our progress we decided on the Oregon 450T which had Ordnance Survey maps 1:50 k. This was a revelation and for the first time allowed us to see a map which allowed us to plot a route unhindered by obstructions. The Oregon 450t had a touch screen, a SD card slot for maps and extra data, an electronic compass, a barometric altimeter and could store thousands of Geocaches. We got about 6 years of use and abuse out of these units. Maintenance, mainly due to rough handling, resulted in screens being replaced, buttons fixed and other sundry parts replaced until they both were beyond repair. I recycled parts from both and with some bits off a Russian GPS breaker on eBay, a ‘Frankenstein’ Oregon 550 GPS was created, this had all the same features as the 450T it now sported a 3.2 megapixel geotagging camera. Although this unit has now slightly out of date OS maps it is still fully functional and in constant use to this day.

By Garmin - garmin.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, — Garmin 450T By Garmin – garmin.com, CC BY-SA 3.0,

I personally own a Garmin GPSMAP 64s now, I never liked the touchscreen which with my big hands didn’t work so well for me, I love the buttons and simple menu system. The unit has a good sized display that can be read in bright sunlight which was always a problem with the older models and mobile phones. The reception is great even under trees, and the unit is quick to get a GPS lock. The 64s uses GPS + GLONASS + WAAS although not Galileo. I also 3D printed a simple mod that allows rechargeable batteries to be used and charged in the unit whilst connected to USB. Bluetooth is available and in reality only useful for transferring Geocaches to another compatible unit, it’s a battery killing extra I don’t need and is designed for external sensors like heart rate, therefore remains switched off.

Garmin GSMAP 64S By Virgilinojuca – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

So why do we still use this old tech? We get at least a couple of days battery life out of both the 550 and 64s which is a lot more than our mobile phones. If the battery runs out we just pop in another couple of AA batteries and off we go. They survive rough treatment much better than mobile phones. Detailed maps can be downloaded from sites like Open Street Maps and preloaded on SD Cards, these are always available even when there is no phone signal, this is also great for caching abroad where maps can be preloaded. They accurately track our route which can be examined in Garmin’s Basecamp software when we get home. I’m not saying GPS units are more useful than mobiles, but a phone with apps like Geocaching, C:geo, Looking 4 Cache is a perfect compliment to a GPS.

International Geocaching Day 2021

On Saturday 21st August, the 9 Usual Suspects celebrated 10th International Geocaching Day. The event was hosted by Bess’s Friends at Rocklands in Caergeiliog and despite the Met offices gloomy forecasts the rain held off. There was a great turnout with lots of the Usual Suspects along with some new faces. With the Geochat and food, of course, there were games this time organised by Bess’s Friends. The two teams were picked at random from a ‘hat’ with Bob and Steve being the first people out of the hat and therefore were nominated as team leaders. A treasure hunt was the first event and a great success for ‘Team Steve’, there was also a new throwing game donated by Team Marzipan which was successfully trialled, Elaine, Jude and Dawn were the only players to get a point, I think this says more about our collective dexterity than the game itself. ‘Team Bob’ fought back in subsequent games to win the competition by a narrow margin. Ray manned the BBQ and cooked the contributions bought by all, keeping up a regular supply of hot food for the afternoon. There also was a selection of home made cakes & puddings including a trifle from Sion, which complemented the great spread put on by Ray and Julie. The annual raffle was drawn, this one spanning 2 years due to covid with all the prizes being collected or posted to the winners. As part of the celebrations the 2021 TB Race was also started and the TBs embarked on their travels. The race can be tracked here as it unfolds over the coming year.

A huge thank you from all of us to Ray and Julie for their hard work in putting this event together.

CITO 14th August 2021

This CITO (Cache in Trash Out) was our first post-covid lockdown official geocaching event since 14 March 2020 and a chance to restore some normality. The weather forecast was iffy so kudos to all who defied the Met Office forecasts and turned out, as on the day, we had only the occasional light shower to contend with. This location was selected because: we have picked here before and know the location, it is fairly child friendly, and above all there was some litter to be picked. It was great to catch up with friends some of whom came from as far as Macklesfield and Oldham. It was also great to see some new faces and junior cachers who made a great contribution. In all 23 assisted with the litter pick including Diapason16 who happened to be in the area looking for a cache, he rolled up his sleeves and mucked in, unlike his daughter, who like a stereotypical teenager rolled her eyes and sat on the wall with her mobile phone :-). We cleared from Penygroes to Groeslon and collected about 12 bags of rubbish from the cycle path. The litter was sorted and taken to Rhwngddwyryd, Garndolbenmaen Recycling Center for disposal.