Tag: Geocaching Souvenirs

News & New Caches 167

We hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. In our area there has been no new caches or Ad Labs published since our last post. But we do have some event reminders.

Event Reminders

GCB0QRK 9 Usual Suspects Say Goodbye to 2024 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1.5
When: 31st December, 2024
Where: Anglesey Column Cafe & Information Centre
Time: 11am-12pm
Our last event of 2024 and a chance for a quick catch up before the New Year Celebrations begin. There is no better way to start your celebrations than meeting up with your geocaching friends! Please log will ‘attend logs’ as we need to give the cafe numbers in advance.

GCB0PTH 9US Discover 2025 with a Beach Clean by 9 Usual Suspects CITO D1/T3
When: Wednesday 1st January 2025
Where: Beach Car Park nearest the Airport
Time: 11am to 12pm
Why not blow away those New Year cobwebs and join us for a litter pick along the beautiful beach of Dinas Dinlle?

GCB16T1 9 Usual Suspects TB Race Launch by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
When: 1st January, 2025
Where: Airport Cafe, Dinas Dinlle, Caernarfon LL54 5TP
Time: 12.15pm – 1.15pm
An event to launch our 2025 TB Race. TB race rules can be found here. Not entering the TB race? This is a chance to catch up, swap TB’s and enjoy some geochat while watching the airport activity.

New Year Souvenirs

Celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of 2025 by earning two new souvenirs, Logged 2024 and Discovering 2025. To earn the souvenirs find one geocache or Adventure Lab® location, all geocache types count including events.
Logged 2024 is available from 24th to 31st December.
Discovering 2025 is available from 1st to 8th January.

Quiz Answers

  1. Which song includes the lyrics “They’ve got cars big as bars, They’ve got rivers of gold” Fairytale of New York, The Pouges (1987)
  2. In Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, what was the first name of Scrooge?
    Ebenezer
  3. What colour are mistletoe berries?
    White
  4. Which song includes the lyrics “It’s Christmas time, there’s no need to be afraid”
    Do they know it’s Christmas – Band Aid (1984)
  5. In Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone what did the Dursleys give Harry for Christmas?
    A 50p piece
  6. Which single has been number 1 in the charts in 2023 & 2024, but only made number 2 when it was released in 1984?
    Last Christmas – Wham (It’s been in the charts 21 times over 117 weeks)
  7. Elvis Presley isn’t going to have a White Christmas, he’s going to have a….?
    Blue Christmas
  8. According to the song, what did my true love give to me on the eleventh day of Christmas?
    Eleven pipers piping
  9. What fruit is used to make a Christingle?
    Orange
  10. Three of Santa’s reindeer’s names begin with the letter “D.” What are those names?
    Dasher, Donner & Dancer
  11. If you’re born on Christmas day, what’s your star sign?
    Capricorn
  12. What is glühwein?
    A German version of mulled wine
  13. When do the 12 days of Christmas start?
    Christmas Day
  14. What is the Grinch’s dog called?
    Max
  15. How many states in the US have a town called ‘Santa Claus’?
    Three – Indiana, Arizona and Georgia

Happy New Year

We would like to take this opportunity to Thank everyone for their support and wish you all a very Happy New Year, may 2025 be a year full of fun and adventures.

News & New Caches 165

We have one new event published since our last post. We have lots of dates for 2025, souvenirs and our events.

GCB16T1 9 Usual Suspects TB Race Launch by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
When: 1st January, 2025
Where: Airport Cafe, Dinas Dinlle, Caernarfon LL54 5TP
Time: 12.15pm – 1.15pm

An event to launch our 2025 TB Race. Not entering the TB race? This is a chance to catch up, swap TB’s and enjoy some geochat while watching the airport activity.

2024 9US Video

We are currently putting together a video of our 2024 adventures. If you have any pictures or video you would like included please contact us.

Confirmed Souvenirs for 2025

Here are the confirmed souvenirs for 2025 and dates that they are available:

  • Discovering 2025 January 1st-8th
  • Cache In Trash Out®, Season 1: March 1st–May 31st
  • Pi-Day: March 14th
  • March Equinox: March 20th-23rd
  • Pajama Day: April 16th
  • Blue Switch Day: May 2nd-4th
  • June Solstice: June 20th-22nd
  • International Geocaching Day: August 16th
  • Cache In Trash Out®, Season 2: September 1st-November 30th
  • World Postcard Day: October 1st
  • International EarthCache Day: October 10th-12th
  • Adventure Day: October 17th-19th
  • Geocaching International Film Festival (GIFF): November 6th-16th
  • Farewell 2025: December 24th-31st

9US Event Calendar 2025

Please find below our event calendar for 2025. Event dates may change up until publication.

Wednesday 1st January GCB0PTH 9US Discover 2025 with a Beach Clean D1/T3
Wednesday 1st January GCB16T1 9 Usual Suspects TB Race Launch D1/T1
Thursday 30th January Nosh & Natter 74

Saturday 8th February Ski Saturday The Severn Mega will be in attendance
Thursday 27th February Nosh & Natter 75

Saturday 8th March CITO Season 1
Thursday 27th March Nosh & Natter 76

Thursday 24th April Nosh & Natter 77

Saturday 17th May Llangollen Canal Boat Trip
Thursday 29th May Nosh & Natter 78

Saturday 7th June Bardsey Island?
Thursday 26th June Nosh & Natter 79

Wednesday 23rd July Nosh & Natter 80
Thursday 24th-27th July Piratemania
Monday 28th July-3rd August Severn Mega

Saturday 16th August International Geocaching Day, 9US 10th Birthday Party
Thursday 28th August Nosh & Natter 81

Thursday 25th September Nosh & Natter 82

Thursday 30th October Nosh & Natter 83

Saturday 1st November Halloween Party
Sunday 9th November GIFF
Saturday 29th November Nosh & Natter 84, Christmas Dinner

Wednesday 31st December Farewell 2025

Llangollen Canal Boat Trip

Saturday 17th May Llangollen Canal Boat Trip

We will be starting at Trevor travelling to Llangollen, it takes just over 2 hours to reach the turnaround point. See map below:

All day boats are equipped with the following: cutlery, crockery, a kettle, 2 burner hob, fridge, sink and toilet. There’s indoor and outdoor seating on all day boats. We will be stopping for lunch some where en route, probably The Sun (marked on map) where we may hold an event. Dogs are allowed. Boat hire times are from 9am – 4pm so we would be meeting up around 8.45am at Anglo Welsh boat yard.
There are very few geocaches currently along the canal but we will make every effort to pick any up as we pass.

Cost will be around £20 per person. There are 10 places per boat, if enough interest we will try to book 2 boats. To book a place contact us, we will need deposits of £10pp.

Any questions? Contact us.

News & New Caches 163

We have no new caches or events to report since our last post, but plenty of other news.

December Solstice Souvenir

The December solstice marks the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day in the Southern Hemisphere. Geocaching HQ crafted a special souvenir exclusively for geocachers to commemorate the December solstice. Earn this souvenir by finding any geocache, attending any Event, or completing an Adventure Lab® Location from 20th-22nd December, 2024.

2025, A Year of Celebrations

2025 is going to be a very busy year for the social geocacher with a wide range of events taking place. We all are aware that May 2nd 2025 is the 25th anniversary of geocaching with many celebratory events taking place worldwide, but did you know it is also 9 Usual Suspects 10th anniversary? Not only are there Giga, Mega, CITO’s and ordinary events taking place but also Block Parties and Community Celebration Events.

What is a Block Party? Basically it is a Mega Event. Geocaching HQ hosted the original Block Parties in Seattle from 2011 to 2015. Only 5,064 geocachers received the Block Party icon during those years. To enable more people to acquire this icon HQ are giving organisers of Mega or Giga Events the option to choose the Block Party icon for their event.
For an event to qualify as a Block Party the following criteria have to be met:

  • Take place between 1st January, 2025,- 31st December, 2025.
  • Qualify as a Mega-Event or Giga-Event.
  • Have at least 300 Will Attends.
  • Be at least 6 hours long.
  • Highlight celebrating 25 years of geocaching.

At the time of writing there is just one Block Party published for the UK:
GCAK7KC London Calling 2025 by London Calling D1/T1
When: Saturday 3rd May 2025
Where: Central Halls Westminster
Time: 10.30am – 5pm
Admission Charge: £7 in advance, £12 on the door, children under 15 free if accompanied by an adult

What is a Community Celebration Event? An event that all attendees receive a special icon to celebrate significant milestones in geocaching. To earn a Community Celebration Event 2025 credit, simply, host an event and publish a geocache in 2024. All geocachers who qualify will receive a CCE credit to be used from 1st January to 31st December 2025.

9US 10th Birthday Celebrations
We have received our Community Celebration Event credit and will be hosting an event to celebrate 9US’s 10th birthday on International Geocaching Day, Saturday 16th August 2025.

We are currently putting together our event program for 2025. In the past 10 years we have hosted over 170 events and CITO’s, do you have a favourite location or event that you would like to re-visit as part of our celebrations? Or any ideas/locations for an event? Please contact us through comments or message us through 9 Usual Suspects geocaching account.

Christmas Dinner, Event Review

GCAZ9WX Christmas Dinner – Nosh & Natter 73 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1

This is the 3rd year we have had our Christmas event at the Goat Inn, Glandwyfach, a perfect location for this event. By having the event on the Friday night we were the only party in the function room. There was a lot of general banter and geochat before the serious part of the evening, eating and drinking began. The food was again excellent, the secret Santa was fun and what can I say about the Welsh Bingo? A lovely evening and a great start to Christmas.
Here are a few pictures:

News & New Caches 162

We have one new cache and three events to report since our last post:

GCB0NY4 Hand-me-down by Clueless_Goose Traditional D1.5/T1.5

Events

GCB0MMV Christmas Stroll up Tryfan by swindon_leys D1/T5
When: 25th December, 2024
Where: Tryfan Summit
Time: 12pm-12.30pm
No plans for Christmas Day? This event could be just what you are looking for.

GCB0QRK 9 Usual Suspects Say Goodbye to 2024 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1.5
When: 31st December, 2024
Where: Anglesey Column Cafe & Information Centre
Time: 11am-12pm
Our last event of 2024 and a chance for a quick catch up before the New Year Celebrations begin. There is no better way to start your celebrations than meeting up with your geocaching friends! Please log will ‘attend logs’ as we need to give the cafe numbers in advance.

GCB0PTH 9US Discover 2025 with a Beach Clean by 9 Usual Suspects CITO D1/T3
When: Wednesday 1st January 2025
Where: Beach Car Park nearest the Airport
Time: 11am to 12pm
Why not blow away those New Year cobwebs and join us for a litter pick along the beautiful beach of Dinas Dinlle?
This event will see the start of a new TB race, see below.

2025 TB Race

As part of our 10th anniversary and geocaching’s 25th anniversary we will be having another TB race starting on 1st January 2025 finishing on 31st December 2025. There will be prizes for the furthest traveled and most countries visited. Rules and details in our next post.

TB Race 2021 Update

Do you remember this TB race? The original race was for one year, starting on International Geocaching Day 2021 and finishing on International Geocaching Day 2022, with prizes for the furthest traveled.
We decided to continue the race as a test of endurance with the winner being the last TB in circulation.

6 TB’s took part in the original race there are now 4 still traveling.

HQ Win the Race TB owner lostnwet
Traveled: 136,706km
Current Location: France in the hands of *Mana*
13 Countries Visited: UK, Ireland, France, Canada, USA, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Sark, Jersey, Guernsey

Racing Dragon owner Ann@Birdbrook
Traveled: 72,903km
Current Location: Czechia in the hands of Pe_Bo
10 Countries Visited: UK, Portugal, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Poland, Czechia

Draco owner Naturesbyte
Traveled: 57,168km
Current Location: Puppy Dog’s TB Hotel, Nevada, USA
10 Countries Visited: UK, Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Hungary, France, USA


Welsh Sea Pottery owner escapefromwork
Traveled: 9,168km
Current Location: RAL [7] Whitby Road, Bristol, UK
2 Countries Visited: UK, Ireland

Halloween Video

GCAZ0QW Come and Monster Mash with 9US by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1.5

We would like to thank everyone for attending and taking part in our activities. Bet you can’t wait to see what we are planning for next year!

News & New Caches 161

We have no new caches or events published in our area since our last post.

Event Reminders

GCB07G5 CITO 2024 Season 2 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T3
When: Sunday 24th November
Where: The Old Bridge, Morfa Parc, Caernarfon
Time: 12pm -2pm
Haven’t already got your CITO 2024 Season 2 souvenir? Then come and join us for our 25th CITO event, a litter pick at our regular site in Caernarfon. This may be your last chance to acquire this souvenir as CITO 2024 Season 2 ends on November 30th.

As Storm Bert is set to hit us hard on Saturday we may cancel this event and just meet for a panad and cake. We will assess weather conditions Sunday morning and make an announcement through the cache page if we are canceling.

Christmas Dinner

GCAZ9WX Christmas Dinner – Nosh & Natter 73 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
Where: Tafarn Yr Afr/Goat Inn, Glandwyfach, Porthmadog LL51 9LJ
When: Friday 29th November
Time: 7-9pm or when the last person leaves
Dress Code: Anything Christmas

Please note all food for this event has to be pre ordered

This is the final call for food orders, we need your choices today, either message us through our geocaching profile, your will attend logs or contact us through the comments.
The Christmas menu is available here.

New Souvenirs

Celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of 2025 by earning two new souvenirs, Logged 2024 and Discovering 2025. To earn the souvenirs find one geocache or Adventure Lab® location, all geocache types count including events.
Logged 2024 is available from 24th to 31st December.
Discovering 2025 is available from 1st to 8th January.

We will be hosting events on both New Years Eve and New Years Day which we hope to have published by our next post.

Llangollen Canal Trip

To answer a few questions that have arisen from our last post. We will be starting at Trevor travelling to Llangollen, it takes just over 2 hours to reach the turnaround point. See map below:

At the moment we have no confirmed dates, we are just gaging interest as we are trying to plan our event calendar for 2025. There are 10 places on a boat, if enough interest we will try to book 2 boats. Boats get booked up along time in advance for weekend hires, so we need to book early to book two boats. Unless we can get a very good deal, current proposed dates are Saturday 22nd or 29th March 2025. Cost will be around £18-£20 per person. Dogs are allowed. Boat hire times are from 9am – 4pm so we would be meeting up around 8.45am at Anglo Welsh boat yard.

All day boats are equipped with the following: cutlery, crockery, a kettle, 2 burner hob, fridge, sink and toilet. There’s indoor and outdoor seating on all day boats. We will be stopping for lunch some where en route, probably The Sun (marked on map) where we may hold an event.

There are very few geocaches currently along the canal but we will make every effort to pick any up as we pass.

News & New Caches 159

Two new events have been published since our last post:

GCB07G5 CITO 2024 Season 2 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T3
When: Sunday 24th November
Where: The Old Bridge, Morfa Parc, Caernarfon
Time: 12pm -2pm
Haven’t already got your CITO 2024 Season 2 souvenir? Then come and join us for our 25th CITO event, a litter pick at our regular site in Caernarfon. This may be your last chance to acquire this souvenir as CITO 2024 Season 2 ends on November 30th.

GCB03DF Caernarfon yn Rhagfyr (Caernarfon in December) by FfiLli and Blueteddy
When: Monday 2nd December 2024
Where: Tafarn y Porth, 9 Eastgate Street, Caernarfon LL55 1AG (Wetherspoons)
Time: 6pm to 8pm
Two Hampshire cachers are visiting Caernarfon and would like to meet up with local cachers to discuss our fascinating hobby.

Free Public Transport

Do you have a Welsh Concessionary Travel Pass? Did you know you can travel free on some trains in Wales?
You can travel for free between:

You’ll need to get a free ticket from the ticket office before you travel. If there is no ticket office or if it’s closed, you can get one from the Conductor on the train.

We can highly recommend a trip on the Cambrian Coast line, we recently travelled from Porthmadog to Machynlleth. The line was completed by 1869, an incredible feat of Victorian engineering following beautiful coastline for most of the journey. The railway line is pretty dramatic; in places it clings to high cliffs and burrows through tunnels hewn from the rock.

Machynlleth is a very pretty town full of character with many independent shops, lots of cafes and restaurants, well worth a visit.

For the geocacher there are currently the following caches and Ad Lab:
GCA1D24 A year at Kew visiting Machynlleth by LizMar2010 Multi D2/T1.5
GCAR3R6 War Memorial #2091 – Machynlleth by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D4.5/T1
GCAR3QE Machynlleth Clock Tower by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T1.5
Ad Lab Machynlleth- Ancient Capital of Wales created by Oldquincepie

Here are a few photos from our day out:

News & New Caches 155

We have 2 new earthcaches published on our patch so there are no excuses for not getting your International EarthCache Day souvenir:

GCAQQM1 Under Caernarfon Castle 🏰 by 74jen Earthcache D1.5/T1.5
GCAZ0TF REALLY SideTracked – Dinas by ECOBAKE Earthcache D2.5/T1

Event
GCAZ0QW 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 72 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
When: Thursday 31st October 2024
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

In for review but not yet published:
GCAZ0QW Come and Monster Mash with 9US by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1.5

When: Saturday 2nd November
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle LL54 6BB
Party Starts: 5pm
Party Ends: 8pm or when the last person leaves
Attire:  Optional Halloween Fancy dress
Wrap up warm, as, weather permitting, we plan to have some outside activities including a pumpkin lantern competition. There will be prizes for adults and children, to enter bring your carved pumpkin on the night. Of course there will be a BBQ and the bar will be open to late.

International Earthcache Day

This coming weekend is International EarthCache Day (weekend). To earn the souvenir visit any EarthCache and complete the logging requirements from Friday, October 11th through Sunday, October 13th, 2024. All non-Premium EarthCaches are open to everyone throughout the weekend on the Geocaching® app.

Warlock’s Chamber Escape Room at Castell Conway

At Castell Conwy, just for Halloween, Cadw are opening a spooky escape room. 

Discover the secrets of notorious Welsh magician Maldwyn mab Diafol, and test your skills by escaping the warlock’s chamber! Over seven hundred years ago, the King of England captured one of his deadliest enemies, the Welsh magician Maldwyn mab Diafol. Maldwyn was kept prisoner at Castell Conwy, locked in the chapel tower for a year and a day. However, on the morning after Halloween night in 1303, Maldwyn’s guards unlocked his chamber to find the wizard had vanished! Over seven hundred and twenty years later, Maldwyn’s cell has finally been reopened. Visitors will get the chance to solve the mystery of Maldwyn mab Diafol, and to escape from the warlock’s chamber themselves!

From Monday 28th October to Sunday 3rd November 2024 11am to 4pm
For teams of 2 – 6 players; £4 per player
Prices: Normal admission charge. Plus £4 per player to take part in the activity.

Suitable for visitors 10+. All children under seventeen will require adult supervision.

Anyone interested? Please contact us.

News & New Caches 154

Several new caches, a couple of events and an event reminder, lots to keep everyone busy!

GCAXPXD Rocky Coast View. by Bess’s Friends Traditional D1/T2 Premium Member Only
GCAYXE9 Groot by familykemp Traditional D1.5/T3.5 Premium Member Only

GCAYTB5 Lon Eifion, Rusty Metal by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D2.5/T1.5
GCAYTBG Lon Eifion, Lacoste Style? by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D2/T1.5
GCAYTCV Lon Eifion, Under the Oak Tree by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D2/T2.5
GCAYTD3 Lon Eifion, Kissing Gate by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAYTDR Lon Eifion, Meet Dino by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D2/T1.5
GCAYTDV Lon Eifion, Big Rock, Little Rock by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAYTE4 Lon Eifion, The Hub by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D2/T1.5

Events
Another couple of ‘On My Travels’ SideTracked Event by Wandafree this time visiting Llandudno:

GCAYWTE SideTracked Llandudno by Wandafree D1/T1.5
When: Sunday 20th October 2024
Where: Nevill, Vaughan St, Llandudno LL30 1AB
Time: 12-12.45pm

GCAYWTK SideTracked- Great Orme, Victoria Station by Wandafree D1/T1.5
When: Monday 21st October 2024
Where: The Kings Head, Old Road, Llandudno LL30 2NB
Time: 12.15-1pm

Event Reminder

GCAWCCH London Calling on Tour: Caernarfon by goldpot Event D1/T1
When: Tuesday 8th October 2024
Where: Tafarn Y Porth (Wetherspoons)
Time: 4-4.30pm
Your chance to meet a London Calling committee member, goldpot, at an informal caching event to chat about all things geocaching and promote the Block Party event in London in 2025.

Event Review

CITO Season 2 Souvenir 2024

GCAXW19 CITO 2024 Season 2, Let’s Plant Trees! by 9 Usual Suspects

For this CITO we did not pick up litter, but we planted a variety of tree seeds to grow until they are large enough to plant in our local shared spaces next autumn. Our area has been hit very hard with the ash die back virus, the loss of these beautiful ash trees is changing our landscape and woodlands. Our aim is to replace these lost trees with a variety of trees that are resistant to this virus. A request was issued to event attendees while out and about geocaching to collect a few seed/berries to bring to this event. We were amazed at the response, not only the amount of seed but the wide variety.

A few of the seeds collected by event attendees

While some attendees researched how to plant the seeds correctly, others planted the seeds and enjoyed the tree related craft table. Snacks, hot and cold drinks followed throughout the afternoon.

Pete examined and explained the growth rings of an Ash tree that had sadly succumbed to the Ash Die Back virus explaining that the rings revealed the tree was 68 years old when cut down. From the width of the rings it was clearly visible which years were good growth years and which were bad. The pins marked the size the tree was at different historical moments.

Quiz Time

A tree related quiz tested everyones knowledge with Andy, YnysMonBirders, being the clear winner. After plenty of geochat and cake it was time for everyone to head home.

Some pictures of our day:

Dates for your Diary

Halloween

Our Halloween Event will be Saturday 2nd November starting at 5pm. Planning is already under way and for this years event we are holding a pumpkin lantern carving competitions with prizes for adults and children. Of course the bar will be open throughout and there will be refreshments, probably in the form of a BBQ. Fancy dress is preferred but optional. We hope to get the event in for review in the next couple of days.

Christmas Dinner

The date for Christmas Dinner will be Saturday 30th November. We hope to be returning to The Goat Inn – Tafarn Yr Afr, Glandwyfach. We will be confirming details shortly, but, in the meantime here is a copy of the menu:

International Earthcache Day

Earn the International EarthCache Day 2024 souvenir by visiting any EarthCache and completing the logging requirements from Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 13, 2024. All non-Premium EarthCaches are open to everyone throughout the weekend on the Geocaching® app.

News & New Caches 153

We have no new caches or Ad Labs to report since our last post, but hopefully there will be some new caches published before our next post!

Event Reminders

CITO Season 2 Souvenir for 2024

GCAXW19 CITO 2024 Season 2, Let’s Plant Trees! by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle
When: Sunday 6th October, 2024
Time: 2.00pm-4.30pm 
For this CITO we will not be picking up litter, but we will be planting a variety of native tree seeds to grow until they are large enough to plant in our local shared spaces next autumn. Our area has been hit very hard with the ash die back virus, the loss of these beautiful ash trees is changing our landscape and woodlands. Our aim is to replace these lost trees with a variety of trees that are resistant to this virus.

We ask all attendees while out and about geocaching to collect a few seed/berries to bring to this event. We will be supplying compost, pots etc. By attending this event you will earn CITO Season 2 Souvenir for 2024.

GCAWCCH London Calling on Tour: Caernarfon by goldpot Event D1/T1
When: Tuesday 8th October 2024
Where: Tafarn Y Porth (Wetherspoons)
Time: 4-4.30pm
Meet a London Calling committee member, goldpot, at an informal caching event to chat about all things geocaching and promote the Block Party event in London in 2025.

Event Review

GCAX1YV 9 Usual Suspects Visit Harlech Castle by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5

During September, more than 200 of Wales’ historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems were open to visitors free of entry charges as part of Open Doors – Wales. Funded and organised by Cadw the ‘open doors’ ranged from castles, grand houses, churches to smaller less well known historic sites several of these which were not normally open to the public.

We took the opportunity of free entry and guided tour to host an event at Harlech Castle.

A Brief History

Harlech Castle is a concentric castle built between 1283 and 1290 as part of Edward 1’s Iron Ring of Castles. Taking only seven years to complete at a cost of £8,190 it was one of Edwards cheapest castles. It’s location on a near vertical cliff face made it impregnable from almost every angle. When it was first built a channel connected the castle to the sea and was accessible by a long stairway, this allowed supplies to be delivered when the castle was besieged. Harlech Castle was established with a garrison of just 36 men: a constable, 30 men, including 10 crossbowmen, a chaplain, a smith, carpenter and stonemason.

Reconstruction of the castle in the early 14th century

At the end of 1404, the castle fell to Owain Glyndŵr becoming his residence, family home and military headquarters for four years.
The castle also endured a seven-year siege during the Wars of the Roses. This is the longest siege in British history. It is said that the beautiful tune ‘Men of Harlech’ was composed during this siege.
In 1986, Edward’s castles in Wales were together designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our Event

We met in the castle carpark and was very surprised by the number of attendees as the weather forecast was awful. The locals were joined by attendees from Germany and South Wales, it is alway nice to have visitors. After the normal admin, geochat and TB swapping we all headed into the castle for the tour and to explore some of the not so public areas! Luckily the rain just about held off until after the event and the tour. We can highly recommend visiting the castle and taking the guided tour, our guide Sian was excellent.

A few photos from our day:

World Postcard Day Souvenir

The geocaching community is currently celebrating World Postcard Day. To earn the souvenir attend any event from now to Saturday 5th October, 2024.

News & New Caches 152

Just one new puzzle and a couple of event reminders:

GCAYABP YOSM #1169 Llanwnda Church Spire by Clueless_Goose Mystery D3/T1.5

Event Reminders

Tonight:
GCAXW35 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 71 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Thursday 26th September 2024
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

GCAX1YV 9 Usual Suspects Visit Harlech Castle by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5
When: Sunday 29th September 2024
Where: Harlech Castle Car Park LL46 2YH.
Time: 12-12.30pm
A castle set in a beautiful location with a fascinating history. After the event we invite all attendees to join us on a free guided tour of the castle as part of CADW Open Door project.
Please note dogs are only allowed on the ground floor of the castle.

Anglesey Arms, Caernarfon

Geoff is leaving the Anglesey!

Saturday 28th September will be the end of an era, the last night for Geoff and his Team. We have all enjoyed many N&N’s over the years, cosy inside in winter and outside along the Straits on warm summer nights watching the sunset.

We would like to wish Geoff and all his staff the very best in their future ventures.

CADW Open Doors

A quick reminder that CADW Open Doors has many historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems open to visitors free of entry charges throughout September. Here are a few of the places open this weekend:

Hafoty Medieval House

Hafoty Medieval House is open Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September 2024. Tours at 11am, 12pm and 1pm. No Booking Required.
The house was probably built by the Norres familly before passing to the Bulkeleys in 1511. Join a tour of this beautiful medieval house to find out more about the site’s colourful history.

Castell y Bere

Castell y Bere is open Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September 2024 from 11am – 4pm. Tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. No Booking Required
Castell y Bere was a remote outpost on Llywelyn’s southern frontier, it guarded his cattle range, protected the homeland of Gwynedd and dominated the neighbouring lordship of Meirionydd.

St. Tudno’s Church, Llandudno

St. Tudno’s Church is open from 10am to 5pm Thursday 26th – Monday 30th September 2024 10:00 – 17:00
Set on a windswept slope of the Great Orme, overlooking the sea, the ancient Church of St. Tudno is a place of pilgrimage, peace and prayer. Founded by St. Tudno in the 6th century and giving the town of Llandudno its name, the present building dates from the 12th – 15th centuries.

September Equinox Remider

Geocaching HQ have created a souvenir for geocachers to celebrate the September equinox. To earn this souvenir time is running out, geocachers must find a total of 3 geocaches, Event Caches, and/or Adventure Lab® Locations by the end of Saturday 28th.

Adventure Day is October 19th

The latest souvenir announced by Geocaching HQ is available form Friday 18th to Sunday 20th October to celebrate Adventure Day. To earn the souvenir complete any Adventure Lab Location.