Keeping the fun in Geocaching
9 Usual Suspects would like to take this opportunity to say a very BIG THANK YOU to everyone for their support and making 2022 a very special geocaching year. We also wish everyone Blwyddyn Newydd Dda/Happy New Year and look forward to another year of fun and adventures………….
We have put together a video of our 2022 escapades………
Bet you can’t wait to see what we are planning for 2023!
There has been no new caches or Adventure labs published in our area since our last post, we have just a couple of event reminders.
Event Reminders
GCA31Z2 9 Usual Suspects Say Goodbye to 2022 by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Dinas Dinlle
When: Saturday 31st December, 2022
Time: 10.30-11.00am
We had hoped that one of the cafes would be open so that we would have somewhere to shelter if the weather is bad, but sadly they are all closed until after the New Year. So the plan is to bring our mobile tea wagon (campervan), so that we can supply hot drinks and bacon rolls, oh and cake! There is a rumour that a new set of Adventure Labs plus a bonus cache may appear during this event.
GCA3214 9 Usual Suspects Say Hello 2023 by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Ty Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen, Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd LL53 6DB
When: Sunday 1st January, 2023
Time: 12.30-1.30pm or when the last person leaves
According to the pubs website ‘The Ty Coch Inn is arguably the best pub in Wales and OFFICIALLY in the top ten beach bars in the world…’
We would like to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy 2023 and Thank You for supporting 9US throughout 2022.
Let the adventures and fun continue………..
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!
3 dates for your diary:
GCA31Z2 9 Usual Suspects Say Goodbye to 2022 by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Dinas Dinlle
When: Saturday 31st December, 2022
Time: 10.30-11.00am
There is a rumour that a new set of Adventure Labs plus a bonus cache may appear during this event.
GCA3214 9 Usual Suspects Say Hello 2023 by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Ty Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen, Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd LL53 6DB
When: Sunday 1st January, 2023
Time: 12.30-1.30pm or when the last person leaves
According to the pubs website ‘The Ty Coch Inn is arguably the best pub in Wales and OFFICIALLY in the top ten beach bars in the world…’
Please note the Ty Coch does not open until 12pm, food is only available until 2.30pm and there is no table reservations.
GCA31ZX 9 Usual Suspects Present Ski Sunday by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle LL54 6BB
When: Sunday 15th January, 2023
Time: 2-4.15pm or the last person leaves……
The Cache Bar will be open, hot drinks available all afternoon and fondue will be on the menu.
9 Usual Suspects Visit Penrhyn Quarry
GCA2704 9 Usual Suspects Visit Penrhyn Quarry by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
We would like to thank everyone for attending on a very cold Sunday afternoon. It was our first event here in the Blondin Restaurant, chosen because of the facilities and to launch our slate geocoins, Penrhyn Quarry being the source of the slate. We must say thanks to Mike for suppling the entertainment, a new game to us, Fossball. Who says geocachers are not competitive?
We still have some coins available at £9.00 each, to place an order please contact us through the comments or message 9 Usual Suspects geocaching account.
Zip World, Velocity 2
Do you fancy zooming down a 1.5 kilometre zip line at speeds up to a 100 miles per hour?
In planning events for 2023 we are considering the Blondin Restaurant but also giving attendees the opportunity to ‘fly’ Velocity 2. Prior to Covid we had a very positive response from Zip World about hosting an event here, placing a geocache and discounts on Velocity 2. Before we approach Zip World to negotiate discounts we need rough numbers for those interested in the zip wire or maybe one of the other activities at Penrhyn Quarry, Quarry Karts or Quarry Flyer.
Note To join us on Velocity 2 you do not have to be a geocacher, friends and family are very welcome.
Please contact us through the comments or message 9 Usual Suspects geocaching account.
Bob & Judy (Jude100)
Bob and Judy are now settled into their bungalow at Chorley, though they very much miss North Wales and their geocaching friends. Their new home overlooks Astley Park, is in easy walking distance to the centre of Chorley and most importantly close to their family. They would like to say ‘Hello’ to all their geocaching friends and wish them a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
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:
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…..
There have been no new Geocaches or Adventure Labs published since our last post.
Event Reminder
GCA2704 9 Usual Suspects Visit Penrhyn Quarry by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
Where: Blondin Restaurant, Zip World Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda LL57 4YG
When: Sunday 4th December
Time: 2.30pm-3.30pm
To celebrate the arrival of our slate geocoins we are visiting Penrhyn Quarry the source of the slate. The Blondin Restaurant has great views across the famous slate quarry with the fastest zip wire in the world running just metres away.
Coins will be available to purchase at £9.00 each.
Signal’s Labyrinth, Escape the Castle
Monday 5th December sees the end of Signal’s Hedge Maze challenge and the beginning of the Castle Maze. 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 Castle Maze attending an event is worth maximum35 points, with lanterns being the bonus item earning an extra 50 points. Like previous mazes these 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 |
| Attended an Event | 35 |
| Found a Mystery Cache | 30 |
| Found a Multi-Cache | 30 |
| Found a Letterbox Hybrid | 25 |
| Found a cache with 10+ Favourite points | 20 |
| Found a Signal’s Labyrinth item | 50 |
| Found it* | 15 |
*Log a Found it on any other cache type
This challenge runs until Monday 6th February, 2023
CITO News
Tuesday we collected gloves, a couple of different design bag hoops to review and 7 boxes of bags each containing 200 bags! I’m not sure how much litter the council think we are going to pick but they are making sure we never run out of bags. Our next litter pick will be early 2023. Please contact us if you know of an area that could do with a tidy up.
9 Usual Suspects 2022
I am 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.
Snag the Tag
Toil: 854 – There’s a storm abrewing…
Congratulations Glyn on winning the race to find the cat, looks like a storm was definitely a brewing!
Just one new cache, a tricky puzzle to get the brain cells working.
GCA29G4 Let’s Arrange It! by Clueless_Goose Mystery/Puzzle D4/T2
Event Reminder
GCA2704 9 Usual Suspects Visit Penrhyn Quarry by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
Where: Blondin Restaurant, Zip World Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda LL57 4YG
When: Sunday 4th December
Time: 2.30pm-3.30pm
To celebrate the arrival of our slate geocoins we are visiting Penrhyn Quarry the source of the slate. The Blondin Restaurant offers a combination of indoor seating and an outdoor terrace with views across the famous slate mine and over the turquoise waters of the lake in Penrhyn Quarry. According to their website, ‘it’s a modern, bistro-style venue featuring locally sourced delights’.
Coins will be available to purchase at £9.00 each.
PanIQ Room/Christmas Dinner 26th November
The weather might have been awful but that didn’t matter as all our planned adventures where for once inside. A pint in the Australia is always a good start to a day of fun and again was the perfect base while the ‘non competitive’ teams completed the challenge of the Christmas escape room. Did the best team win? Well, one team now holds the record for the fastest escape ever!
A big Thanks goes to Julie for arranging.
The Clairvoyants Curse returns in March, anyone interested in joining us for another fun day in the PanIQ Rooms and Australia?
PanIQ Rooms, 90 Stryd Fawr, Porthmadog LL49 9NW
GCA0TH4 Christmas Dinner – Nosh & Natter 52 by 9 Usual Suspects
It was our first event at Tafarn Yr Afr/Goat Inn, the olde world pub with the lovely Christmas tree and festive music made for a very Christmassy atmosphere. Pete’s ‘Home Bargains’ Christmas jumper lowered the standard and would have won the worst jumper in any competition. It was not long before everyone was seated and the food began to arrive. Gwenllian and Pete took the opportunity in a lull between courses to deliver the ‘Secret Santa’ presents, I must say there was a high standard of gifts this year. I’ll be very interested to see what Sion does with his wheels! I think we all ate far too much with this meal being one of the best we have had at a 9US Christmas Event. It was a shame the coffee & mince pies never showed up but I don’t think we had room for them anyway.
Tafarn Yr Afr/The Goat Inn, Glandwyfach, Porthmadog, Gwynedd LL51 9LJ
Up and Coming Events
In the past, pre-covid, we have held events on New Years Eve and New Years Day. Should we re-start the tradition? Let us know your opinions by either messaging us or through the comments.
January N&N is scheduled for Wednesday 25th, due to local staffing problems and the general economic situation we are concerned that many pubs may not be open mid week or may have restricted opening hours, so we are considering moving N&N to either Friday 27th or Saturday 28th. We will review the situation early in the New Year.
Ski Sunday is coming to the Nantlle Valley in January, proposed date Sunday 15th. More details once plans have been finalised.
In February we are planning a puzzle solving event, with puzzle boxes and the ultimate challenge
Have you any suggestions for 9US events and adventures? All suggestions very welcome.
Just one new cache to report, please note it is Premium Member only.
GCA21R9 Llun o Llandwrog by Clueless_Goose Mystery D4/T2.5
Event
GCA2704 9 Usual Suspects Visit Penrhyn Quarry by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
Where: Blondin Restaurant, Zip World Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda LL57 4YG
When: Sunday 4th December
Time: 2.30pm-3.30pm
This event is to promote our slate geocoins. Why this location? Because the slate used was quarried here at Penrhyn Quarry. Coins will be available to purchase at £9.00 each.
Christmas Dinner Update
GCA0TH4 Christmas Dinner – Nosh & Natter 52 by 9 Usual Suspects
Just to confirm we have now placed food orders and a reminder for those that wish to take part there will be the usual ‘Secret Santa’, presents price guide £5.00. We look forward to seeing you on the 26th.
Geocaching Souvenirs Latest News
Two new souvenirs to report while several souvenirs are approaching the end of their availability.
Two new souvenirs have been announced, Drop Anchor 2022 to close 2022 and Full Sail! 2023 to start 2023.
To earn Drop Anchor 2022 you have a week to find any geocache, attend an Event, or complete an Adventure Lab® Location from December 24th–31st.
To earn Full Sail 2023 you also have a week to find any geocache, attend an Event, or complete an Adventure Lab® Location from January 1st–8th.
CITO 2022, Season 2
CITO 2022 Season 2 finishes on Wednesday, November 30th, 2022.
Signal’s Labyrinth, the Hedge Maze
If you have not already earned Signal’s Labyrinth Hedge Maze Souvenirs time is running out as this challenge ends on Monday 5th, December.
2022 Year of the Hide Souvenir
This souvenir has been available since March 1st, 2022. If you have not already qualified either hide a geocache or host an event before December 31st 2022. Please note last day to submit an event or cache for review is December 17th.
Apologies for not posting an update in a while, before we get onto toil and trouble, cow did she get up there?….!
Congratulations CwmDJ for being the first to the final Watson tag in our area! The STT fire has certainly been lit and the cauldron of competition is bubbling away… this is where is starts getting more interesting with more players and less tags to go around…
Anyway, move away Watson, as a new top dog (or is it cat…) is in town!
Four (Thats right, 4!) mischievous cats have gone missing from their witch owners in our area, find yourself a ‘Toil’ cat tag and reunite her with her owner (who I believe is called Nebular) in the form of a free geocoin!
Keep an eye on the STT Celestial Witches Cat Hunt map, or set an alert on the STT page for when a new tag goes live near you, we have about 100 days still left to play!
Bubble, Bubble toil (but unfortunately no Trouble…) There’s a Witch’s storm Brewing…
The missing cache from the Mary Jones Took a Walk series has finally been published.
GCA1C13 Mary Jones Took a Walk 3 by martin&lindabryn Traditional D1/T1
Christmas Dinner Reminder
We have just 2 weeks before we have to confirm our booking, so please can you let me know menu choices etc.
GCA0TH4 Christmas Dinner – Nosh & Natter 52 by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Tafarn Yr Afr/Goat Inn, Glandwyfach, Porthmadog LL51 9LJ
When: Saturday 26th November
Time: 7-9pm or when the last person leaves
Dress Code: Anything Christmas
For this years Christmas Dinner we are at Tafarn Yr Afr /The Goat Inn, Glandwyfach a new venue for 9 Usual Suspects. We have made a previsional booking for Saturday 26th November at 7pm, cost for 2 courses £22, 3 courses £25, please note the duck is £3 extra, also coffee and minced pies are £2.50. Menu choices plus a £10 deposit need to be with me by Saturday 12th November at the very latest.
Tafarn Yr Afr – 2022 – The Goat Inn Christmas Party Menu
Cream of Parsnip and Sweet Potato Soup (v)
Smoked Salmon and Prawn Salad with Marie Rose Sauce
Chicken Liver, Tequila & Cranberry Pâté Served with Red Onion Chutney and Wholemeal Toast
Crispy Halloumi Fries with Honey and Sesame
~
Traditional Roast Turkey Served with all the Trimmings
Braised Steak in a Rich Brandy and Onion Gravy
Grilled Salmon Fillet with a Lemon and Asparagus Sauce
Half Roast Duck Served with Morello Cherry Sauce (additional £3)
Vegetable Wellington with Madeira Sauce
(All of the above served with seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes)
~
Traditional Christmas Pudding and Brandy Sauce
Baileys Creme Brûlée
Terry’s Chocolate Orange Cheesecake
Raspberry and White Chocolate Pavlova
~
Coffee & Mince Pies £2.50
3 Course £25pp / 2 Course £22pp
Pre-order required, £10 non-refundable deposit required upon receipt of pre-order.
9US Slate Coins
We are pleased to announce the arrival of our 9US slate coins.
The slate is local from Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda, the coins are approximately 56mm wide, by 3mm thick with the design laser engraved, each coin will be trackable on geocaching.com.
The cost is a bargain price of £9 each. To order contact us through the comments, 9 Usual Suspect geocaching account or see us at an event.
We would like to thank Pesh, Rainbow Caching, for all his help in producing the coins, a service we can highly recommend.