Tag: 9 Usual Suspects

News & New Caches 80

Just one new cache to report since our last post, please note Premium Member only.

GCA5YRH Thomas Hughes Port by Glaslyn1 Traditional D2.5/T2

CITO Event Thank You

GCA5C5J CITO 2023 Season 1 by 9 Usual Suspects

For this event we returned to Caernarfon to one of our regular CITO sites Morfa Park/Parc Dre and the wooded area behind Tesco. This being our 6th CITO here since April 2018. We have increased the area picked but it is always disappointing to find so much rubbish when the park litter bins are emptied weekly. On the positive side there isn’t the fly tipping problem that we first encountered.

The hot spot behind Tesco recycling bins, again nice and tidy

Again the ‘Weather God’ looked after us, holding off the rain for the litter pick, the cake, paned and geochat, even for the visit to the recycling centre but sadly not for the unloading of the car.

Todays hard working Team with the results of their labours

Another trailer filled with all the usual cans, bottles, fast food containers and general litter. The odd finds included a couple of bread trays, part of a lifebuoy/ring stand, a silver sequinned stiletto shoe, a pair of glasses, a couple of old milk bottles and a Japanese soft drink Codd-bottle.

South Caernarvon Creameries Ltd
Phone Chwilog 251 1pt 568ml

According to the guy at the tip the oldest milk bottle, pictured above, is from the 1960’s due to the telephone number for the dairy being Chwilog 251.

Hatakosen Ramune Soda – Blueberry Flavour 200m modern Codd-bottle

The design for the above bottle was patented in 1872 by Hiram Codd a carbonated soft drink manufacturer from Camberwell, London. The original bottles were made from thick glass to withstand internal pressure with a chamber to house a marble and a rubber washer in the neck. The bottles were filled upside down, pressure from the gas in the bottle forces the marble against the washer, sealing in the carbonated drink. The bottle is pinched into a special shape to provide a chamber into which the marble is pushed to open the bottle. This prevents the marble from blocking the neck as the drink is poured.

Ramune (ラムネ) (Japanese pronunciation: ɾamɯne) History

In 1884 at Kobe, Japan, a British pharmacist, Alexander Cameron Sim, started producing a carbonated lemonade drink in Codd-bottles. This soon became very popular with the local Japanese after it was advertised in the Tokyo Mainichi Newspaper as a preventative for cholera. Today the drink remains a popular soft drink, sold worldwide, under the name of Ramune and is still available in Codd-bottles. There have been 57 different flavours which include peach, melon, and bubble gum, some of the more unusual flavours include takoyaki, curry, and wasabi. In Japan the empty bottles are recycled.

What have the council done to the park?

Improvements

We quote Norman Hughes from the council, ‘I am pleased to confirm that Cyngor Gwynedd have completed work at “Parc Dre” hopefully you will notice a great improvement and will lessen some of the workload for all volunteers.’
How could you not notice, I think the best description is they have implemented a scorched earth policy. Gone are all the massive Rhododendrons that surrounded the lake leaving vast areas of stumps and wood chip. It will be interesting to see how the council maintain their ‘improvements’.

At least the resident swans are still here

A big improvement to the park would be the re-opening of the toilets.

A very big Thank You to all who attended, your efforts are, as always, very much appreciated.

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.

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 69

We have three new caches and the first N&N of 2023 published since our last post.

GCA3BB5 Seibiant Y Cob (The Cob Rest) by Hitch-Hikers Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCA3Q7F snail mail by amymarie87 Traditional D1.5/T1.5

Premium Member Only
GCA3QTQ #3A – Ramble – Stump by Bess’s Friends Traditional D1.5/T1.5
A new edition to Bess’s Friends Ramble series.

Event
GCA3QRN 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 53
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

We have struggled to find a pub who can guarantee that their kitchens will be open on Wednesday 25th evening, 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.

Event Reminder

GCA31ZX 9 Usual Suspects Present Ski Sunday by 9 Usual Suspects Event
When: Sunday 15th January 2023
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle LL54 6BB (Pete & Ann’s)
Time: 2pm – 4.15pm

Ski Sunday is coming to the Nantlle Valley. We have 2 races planned, downhill and slalom with prizes for the top 3 on the leader boards. Wrap up warm, join us either as a competitor or spectator for a fun filled afternoon. The Cache Bar will be open, snacks, fondue and hot drinks will be available on a self service basis.

A ‘will attend’ log will help us plan the day and especially with catering!

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

News & New Caches 68

A quiet time of year for new caches, just a traditional and adventure Lab with bonus.

GCA33ME Dinas Dinlle Adventure Lab Bonus by Ann@Birdbrook Mystery D1.5/T2

Premium Member Only
GCA29EV Any SIGN of Daniel? by RichieBlod Traditional D2/T1.5

Adventure Labs

Dinas Dinlle created by Ann@Birdbrook Sequential
This Adventure Lab is best done on a nice day to appreciate the views and the beautiful coastline. The final stage is very close to the bonus cache which should be a nice easy find.

Event Reminder

GCA31ZX 9 Usual Suspects Present Ski Sunday by 9 Usual Suspects Event
When: Sunday 14th January 2023
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle LL54 6BB (Pete & Ann’s)
Time: 2pm – 4.15pm

Ski Sunday is coming to the Nantlle Valley. We have 2 races planned, downhill and slalom with prizes for the top 3 on the leader boards. Wrap up warm, join us either as a competitor or spectator for a fun filled afternoon. The Cache Bar will be open, snacks, fondue and hot drinks will be available on a self service basis.

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

Unlike the video below we can guarantee perfect snow conditions for our afternoons racing.

So why not join us, we are sure there will be plenty of banter and lots of laughter.

Souvenir Reminder

There is only a few days left to earn the Full Sail 2023 souvenir. It is only available until the 8th January, to earn find any geocache, attend an Event, or complete an Adventure Lab® Location.

Future Event

Does anyone want to join us to find the Adventure Lab, Whodunnit at the Bryntirion Inn? and the bonus cache GC9G549 Whodunnit at the Bryntirion Inn – Labcache Bonus, followed by a Sunday lunch event at the pub. Proposed date is Sunday 5th February. Interested? Please contact us through the comments or message 9 Usual Suspects geocaching account.

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda/Happy New Year

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!

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!