Tag: New Caches

News & New Caches 91

Several caches and an event to report since our last post, plenty to keep you busy over the weekend.

GCA9BRM Choo Choo! Off to the lake we go! by CheesyPasta Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCA9BPC Bondys trail #2 by CheesyPasta Traditional D1.5/T2.5
GCA9GND The Sunken Gardens by Glaslyn1 Traditional D2/T2
GCA9BT2 Pandy Hill by CheesyPasta Traditional Traditional D1.5/T1.5

Premium Member Only

GCA9KNY Bath House Ruins View by Qniu25 Traditional D2/T2.5

Event

GCA9NXV 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 58 by 9 Usual Suspects

When: Wednesday 28th June
Where: Car Park Dinas Dinlle
Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm or when the last person leaves

For this months N&N we are doing something a little bit different by holding the event outside on the picnic benches at Dinas Dinlle. Either bring your own picnic or grab fish and chips from the highly recommended Surfer Chippy. Let’s hope for a lovely sunny warm evening!

Please note the earlier start time of 6.30pm

Wheel of Challenge, Out and About

Monday saw the start of ‘Out and About’ the latest souvenir challenge, there are three new souvenirs for easy, medium, or hard levels of the challenge. The more days you find a cache the more souvenirs you will earn. As in previous challenges all types of cache count and remember Adventure Lab stages count as a cache, maybe worth doing each stage on a different day……….

Earn the easy souvenir for this month by logging a find on five different days.
Earn the medium souvenir for this month by logging a find on ten different days.
Earn the hard souvenir for this month by logging a find on 20 different days.

The next challenge will be announced on Tuesday 27th June.

News & New Caches 89

Just one new traditional cache and couple of event reminders/updates.

GCA8Y30 Passing by the barrier by MagpieNorthWales Traditional D1/T1

Event Reminders

GCA5EAK 9 Usual Suspects Re-visit Ynys Enlli Event
When: Sunday 28th May 2023
Time: 12pm-4pm
Where: Café Tŷ Pellaf Farm, Ynys Enlli
I have just looked at the weather forecast, it looks perfect, so we are very confident there will be no problems with our ferry crossings. We will put an ‘announcement’ on the event page just to confirm our sailing. Don’t forget cameras, sunscreen and hats! See you Sunday.

GCA8D9R 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 57 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Wednesday 31st May
Where: Anglesey Arms, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
For this months N&N we are back at the Anglesey Arms, lets hope for a lovely sunset!

Postponed Event

We are postponing our visit to Coed y Brenin as several of the caches are missing and we are not sure when they are to be replaced. As soon as the series is back up and running we will reschedule.

Springwatch 2023 is Local

The BBC’s Springwatch returns to our screens on Monday 29th at 7.30pm and will continue at 8pm from Tuesday 30th May until Thursday 15th June. This year our local wildlife will be featured in two live broadcasts from Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve on the 30th and 31st May and Cemlyn Nature Reserve on the 13th June. Plus there will be daily features from wild places around North Wales. If you miss any episodes the series will be available on iPlayer after the live broadcasts.

News & New Caches 88

Just 3 new caches, all around Llangefni, Anglesey, since our last post.

GCA8TE6 Bondys trail by CheesyPasta Traditional D1/T1.5
GCA8VP2 Around the bend by Cheesypasta Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCA8W2Y If you go down to the woods today…! by Cheesypasta Traditional D1.5/T1.5

Ynys Enlli/Bardsey Island Event Info

GCA5EAK 9 Usual Suspects Re-visit Ynys Enlli Event

The ferry being launched recently.

We had not expected this event to be nearly as popular, we have attendees arriving on 3 different ferry sailings!

Bardsey Walking Notes | Marnix's Bird Gallery

As there is little or no phone signal on the island, Pete and I have opened the adventure lab stages enabling access to the questions. For anyone travelling with us on the 11.30am ferry we will give a printed copy of the questions and the above map. The answers can then be logged on your return to the mainland where hopefully we will all get a good phone signal.

Trips are dependent on good weather so 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. Once we have confirmation of our sailing is going ahead we will make an announcement on the cache page.

Bearing this in mind payment is made on the day in cash, therefore no deposits are needed.
Fares: Adult £45.00 Child £25.00

Please allow plenty of time for your journey, it is further than you think and if you get stuck behind slow moving traffic there is little chance of over taking on the narrow bendy lanes.

The parking is in the National Trust car park, a small field, 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 basic supplies as the café can sometimes run low on cake!

Dogs are not permitted to visit the island.

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

Lastly, don’t forget your camera and binoculars!

A Little Bit of History

Porth Meudwy, meaning ‘hermit’s cove’, is the traditional landing place for boats from Ynys Enlli.

In medieval times the abbey on the Ynys Enlli had many lands and privileges on the mainland. A Court and Exchequer was established at Cwrt, giving the farm its name, where legal and administrative duties were conducted. It is said that the abbott would declare the sentences of those who had been on trial whilst standing on the large stone in the farm courtyard. Records show that hangings took place on the farm, and one of the fields is called Bryn Crogbren, meaning ‘gallows hill’.

Before your visit we recommend taking a look at Bardsey.org for a fascinating look at the Islands history, wildlife and general points of interest.

News & New Caches 87

Just one new cache and a couple of events to report since our last post.

GCA8FE7 Quiet time! by CheesyPasta Traditional D1/T1.5

GCA8D9R 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 57 by 9 Usual Suspects
For this months N&N we are back at the Anglesey Arms, lets hope for a lovely sunset!

When: Wednesday 31st May
Where: Anglesey Arms, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

Magic Maker Souvenir Event

To celebrate custom made geocaches HQ are awarding the Magic Maker Souvenir for anyone that attends or hosts a Magic Maker Event between June 13th to July 3rd 2023. We are please to announce our event has been approved. As part of the event we will be running a competition for favourite custom local geocaches giving everyone a chance to vote for the winner. Please nominate your chosen caches in your ‘will attend’ logs remembering to quote GC code.

GCA8D3G Maker Magic: 9US Get Creative…..

Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle. LL54 6BB
When: 1st July 2023
Time: 2.00pm-6pm (the bar will remain open until the last person leaves!)

North Wales Wildlife Trust

Looking for some inspiration for a wildlife garden? North Wales Wildlife Trust are holding an open day giving everyone the opportunity to explore their wildlife garden in Bangor. Advice from experienced wildlife gardeners will be available all morning. Free, no booking required but please sign in at the office.

When: Monday 15th May
Time: 10:00 – 13:00
Where: Llys Garth, Garth Road, Bangor

News & New Caches 85

Looks like everyone was out over Easter placing new caches, a good mixture of types, 3 Traditional, a Wherigo, Adventure Lab with bonus and an event all recently published.

GCA56PX Dylan gran by Dylansgran Traditional D2/T1.5
GCA70Q2 Reservoir Adventure by ClurPailing Traditional D2/T2
GCA70ZE Spring on the Seiont by Clueless_Goose Traditional D1.5/T2
GCA72H5 Cache y Cofi Dre by Clueless_Goose Wherigo D2.5/T1.5

Adventure Lab with Bonus Cache

Celtic Quest Created by RichieBlod 5 locations nonsequential

A circular route, see above map, following footpaths and back roads to visit ancients sites from the Neolithic period. Remember to collect the info for the bonus cache.

GCA714R Celtic Quest Bonus Cache by RichieBlod Mystery D2.5/T3

Event

GCA72GP 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 56 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Wednesday 26th April 2023
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

New Souvenir: Blue Switch Day 2023!

Prior to 2000, the U.S. military created and deployed satellites to produce accurate location information for military applications. Selective Availability restricted precise GPS data to the U.S. government. On May 2nd, 2000, the U.S. government “flipped the switch” and made accurate GPS available to all. The very next day, May 3rd, the first geocache was hidden.

Earn the Blue Switch Day 2023 souvenir by finding a geocache, Adventure Lab® Location, or by attending an Event between May 1st–3rd.

Aberlleiniog Castle Trail, Red Squirrels

Red Squirrel photo by Andy (YnysMonBirders)

If visiting Aberlleiniog Castle keep a look out for Red Squirrels. On a recent maintenance run we were rewarded by spotting high in the branches a Red Squirrel, as we watched it ran and jumped from branch to branch taking no notice of us. At this time of year they are easy to spot as the trees branches are bare only just coming into leaf, later in the summer when there is a full leaf canopy they will be much harder to see. This is the first time we have seen them here even though it is advertised they have been in residence for a while.

Return of the Glaslyn Ospreys

Aran, the male, returned on the 3rd April but sadly there is still no sign of his mate Mrs G, this would have been her 20th successful migration. The good news is that Aran has found himself another mate, an unrung female who he has been providing with fish and they have been seen mating.

Would anyone be interested in holding an event here? The centre caters for everyone with

  • Free car parking.
  • Toilets.
  • Disabled parking and access to the Visitor Centre and Toilets.
  • Dogs on leads welcome.
  • Picnic area with spectacular views.
  • A warm welcome from knowledgeable volunteers.
  • Steam trains on the Welsh Highland Railway passing nearby.

We suggest in June when, hopefully, there will be young in the nest and maybe have a picnic. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

News & New Caches 84

Two new caches and an Adventure Lab have been published just in time for the Easter break.

GCA6MZR Saron: Rest & Reflect by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T1.5

Premium Member Only

GCA6J8X Mackenzie Pier by Glaslyn1 Multi D2.5/T2

Adventure Lab
Ynys Llanddwyn/Llanddwyn Island created by RichieBlod 5 locations nonsequential


This Adventure Lab is based upon the legend of Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers and a little history of the beautiful isle.

Event Reminder

GCA5MYF CITO 2023 Season 1, Let’s Make Spaces for Wildlife by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Friday 7th April, 2023 (Good Friday)
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle, Caernarfon LL54 6BB
Time: 2.00-4.00pm

GIFF Returns in 2023


This year sees the 10 anniversary of Geocaching International Film Festival (GIFF), it began in 2013 as part of the annual Geocaching Block Party held at Geocaching HQ, in Seattle. The finalist films were screened in a park near HQ and it was a huge success. This event was successfully repeated again in 2014, but in 2015 awful wet weather forced the outdoor event to be cancelled. With the finalist films ready to be shown an alternative plan was made and the film festival was released to geocachers across the world to be shown at GIFF events. This was very popular with geocaching community with 449 GIFF events hosted in 46 different countries, one of those events was hosted by 9 Usual Suspects at Witch’s Brew, Pwllheli. Since then GIFF has become an annual event in 9US’s calendar.

2016: 123 film submissions | 16 finalists | 526 Events | 44 countries
2017: 47 submissions | 17 finalists | 601 Events | 55 countries
2018: 83 submissions | 16 finalists | 656 Events | 58 countries  
2019: 54 submissions | 16 finalists | 688 Events | 56 countries
2020: Cancelled due to 20th anniversary celebrations
2021: 61 submissions | 17 finalists | 425 Events | 40 countries

There was no film festival in 2022 due to HQ focusing on the 20th anniversary celebrations that had to be deferred from 2020 due to Covid 19.

To mark this special anniversary year gold has been chosen for the colour of GIFF 2023. The GIFF 2023 Souvenir will be available to anyone attending an official GIFF Event from Thursday, November 9th to Sunday, November 19th. 9 Usual Suspects will be hosting their event on Sunday 19th, venue yet to be confirmed.

Have you ever fancied making a film? GIFF 2023 may be the time to make your red carpet debut…… 
The deadline for submitting a film for this years GIFF is August 3rd.

News & New Caches 81

One new traditional cache to report since our last post.

GCA6CFV Goedwig by Jacq123_1911 a jonboi Traditional D3/T3

New Event

And for once not hosted by 9 Usual Suspects!
GCA656C Nikoski and the Bee on Tour – North Wales 2023 by Nikoski D1/T1
When: Sunday 30th April
Where: Incredible Edible Garden, Conwy
Time: 11-11.30am
Suffolk cachers Nikoski and Bee of Good Cheer are back holidaying in North Wales and would love to meet up with local and not so local geocachers.

Event Reminder

GCA5YNK 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 55 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
When: Wednesday 29th March
Where: Anglesey Arms, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

Wheel of Challenges Souvenirs

We see no rest from souvenir challenges with this week Geocaching HQ launching its next souvenir challenge, Wheel of Challenges. Starting on Monday 3rd April 2023 this is the same day the current challenge and last labyrinth, The Dragon’s Lair, ends. Wheel of Challenges will run for 6 months, with a different challenge each month. This could be from finding a certain number of geocaches in a month, to testing how long you can keep up a daily streak. Each challenge will begin on the first Monday of the month.
Challenges will begin on the following dates:

  • April 3, 2023
  • May 1, 2023
  • June 5, 2023
  • July 3, 2023
  • August 7, 2023
  • September 4, 2023

Aprils challenge will be announced on 28th March with the details of how to earn the new souvenirs.

Challenges, are they good for Geocaching?
Do they inspire you to find more caches? Are there just too many challenges that they become boring? Or do you just ignore them? We have our views, it would be interesting to hear how others feel.

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)