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.
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?
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.
Drop anchor Souvenir
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.
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.
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.
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! 2023to 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.
Just a couple of events and one new cache to report since our last post.
GCA0C7V Under Bess’s Friends Nose by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D1/T1 A little something from their friends to celebrate Julie and Rays 20 years of Geocaching.
Events
GCA0TG6 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 51 by 9 Usual Suspects When: Wednesday 26th October Where: Anglesey Arms, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
Christmas Dinner
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.
After Saturdays enjoyable escape room adventures in ‘Madog’s Asylum’ it was suggested a return visit to test everyones skills in ‘The Clairvoyants Curse’. Sadly this room is soon changing to ‘Christmas Chaos’ which will be available through out the festive period. Julie has made a provisional booking for 2 afternoon sessions on Saturday 26th November, same day as the Christmas Dinner! Interested? To reserve a place if not already on her list and for further details either contact us or Julie through Bess’s Friends geocaching account.
Again we were very lucky with the weather, no sign of the forecast rain until we were all back at home, though we could have done without the wind!
We would like to Thank everyone who attended this event especially Dave for the ‘pop up’ cafe, we all appreciated a hot drink. I apologise for the route up, it was not the best! Again Thanks Dave for the easier route down. Hope to see everyone for our next adventure…….
We have 3 new Earthcaches published in our area, just in time for International Earthcache Day.
Premium Member Only GC9V8WH Black Rock Sands – Intrusion Cave by The Magna Defender Earthcache D1/T2.5 GC9V8WB Black Rock Sands – Crystal Colour Cave by The Magna Defender Earthcache D2/T2.5 GC9V8WA Black Rock Sands – Faults and Folds by The Magna Defender Earthcache D3.5/T2.5
Adventure Labs
We have 2 new Adventure Labs that explore West Llandudno and an interesting site on the Great Orme.
Llandudno – West Shore created by smart_ginger nonsequential This Adventure Lab takes you along the west shore of Llandudno towards Deganwy with, on a good day, far reaching views along the beautiful North Wales coastline.
Great Orme history – WWII Coastal Artillery School created by smart_ginger nonsequential This Adventure Lab explores the interesting site of the Coastal Artillery School, which opened in 1940 and is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
When: Friday 7th October Where: Bragdy Cybi, Unit 4a, Penrhos Business Park, Holyhead. LL65 2FD Time: 7pm-9pm Come and lift a glass or two to celebrate Julie and Ray’s 20 year anniversary since they started their geocaching career.
Paniq Rooms, Porthmadog
When: Saturday 8th October Where: Painiq Rooms, High street, Porthmadog Time: 11am-2pm Ever fancied testing your puzzle skills in an Escape room? Why not join other local geocaches for a fun day with plenty of challenges. For more details contact Julie, Bess’s Friends through her geocaching profile
International Earthcache Day & Event Reminder
By discovering an earthcache over the weekend of 9th-10th October you will earn a souvenir. I’m not sure why Geocaching HQ call it International Earthcache Day when to earn the souvenir a log on an earthcache anytime over the weekend qualifies, surely it should be International Earthcache Weekend! If you do not have premium membership and use the Geocaching® app, limitations based on D/T ratings will be removed for this weekend on all non-premium earthcaches.
This event is to celebrate International Earthcache Day and to enable all attendees to qualify for the above souvenir. We will be meeting at the trig point where there is a Lab cache stage for Highlights of Porthmadog, before discovering the newly published earthcache: GC9V8XD Moel-Y-Gest Summit – Roche Moutonee by The Magna Defender D2/T5 and then heading to: GC89RG2 Moel-y-Gest Stalactites by Rcrosby94 D2.5/T5 We have agreed with the earthcache owners that we only have to send one set of answers to cover all event attendees. Let’s hope the weather is good as the views are stunning in every direction and makes the slog up the hill worth while. Oh There will be cake……..
Norman Hughes, Clean & Tidy Officer, on behalf of Gwynedd Council would like us to pass on their thanks and appreciation to all attendees for the work we do.
Christmas Dinner
I know we are only at the beginning of October and no one wants to think about Christmas, but we really do need to book a venue by the end of this month. Proposed date and venue is Wednesday 30th November back at the Anglesey Arms, Caernarfon. Please could you let us know if this date and venue are OK, once we have some rough numbers I will contact them to book the evening, obtain menus and most importantly the cost. At this stage there is no commitment.
We have two new traditional caches and an earthcache to report, all Premium Members only.
GC9V8WT Black Rock Sands – Stack & Stump by The Magna Defender Earthcache D1/T1.5 GCA0ADV Pen draw’r byd! by Luby 29 Traditional D2.5/T2.5 GCA0AEJ Dechrau’r Diwedd by Luby 29 Traditional D2/T1.5
Event Reminder
GC9ZVCP CITO 2022 Season 2 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T2.5 When: Sunday 2nd October, 2022 Where: Dinas Dinlle, Caernarfon LL54 5TW Time: 11am to 1pm
Our task for the day will be to pick up as much litter as possible from the beach and car parking areas. We have given the event a terrain rating of 2.5 due to the steep banks around the hillfort, but there are wheelchair accessible areas along the promenade. By attending this event your efforts will be rewarded CITO Season 2 souvenir.
Signal’s Labyrinth, the Hedge Maze
Signal seems to be evolving into a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
On October 3rd, 2022 Signal leaves the Cave Maze and starts a new challenge, to complete the Hedge Maze. Like the other maze challenges there are 2 souvenirs, 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. Mystery Caches are worth more points for this round on account of the puzzle solving skills required to navigate through the elaborate hedge maze. Friendly goats are 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
Found a Mystery Cache
35
Found a Multi-Cache
30
Found an EarthCache
30
Attended an Event
20
Found a cache with 10+ Favorite points
20
Found a Signal’s Labyrinth item
50
Found it*
15
*Log a Found it on any other cache type
You have until the 5th December, 2022 to complete this challenge
This event is to celebrate International Earthcache Day and to enable all attendees to qualify for the above souvenir. We will be meeting at the trig point where there is a Lab cache stage for Highlights of Porthmadog, before discovering the newly published earthcache: GC9V8XD Moel-Y-Gest Summit – Roche Moutonee by The Magna Defender D2/T5 and then heading to: GC89RG2 Moel-y-Gest Stalactites by Rcrosby94 D2.5/T5 We have agreed with the earthcache owners that we only have to send one set of answers to cover all event attendees. Let’s hope the weather is good as the views are stunning in every direction and makes the slog up the hill worth while. Oh There will be cake……..
Lots of new caches to report and a couple of events.
GC9ZYRX Side Tracked. (Part 4 of RS trail) by CaraThom Traditional D2/T2 GC9ZY14 Graveyard of Ruins by Clueless_Goose Multi D2.5/T2
CazzaB80 has been very busy setting a new series of 17 caches, Fairbourne Flier and adding another 2 caches to her Mawddach Meander series.
GC9ZP2K Fairbourne Flier – Don’t cry over spilt milk by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T1.5 GC9ZPW1 Fairbourne Flier – Tea for Two by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T2 GC9ZPTZ Fairbourne Flier – Those is glass houses … by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T1.5 GC9ZPVJ Fairbourne Flier – Where’s Cader? by CazzaB80 Traditional D2/T2.5 GC9ZPVC Fairbourne Flier – Have your cake and eat it by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T2.5 GC9ZPVP Fairbourne Flier – Tough at the Top (almost!) by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T2.5 GC9ZP12 Fairbourne Flier – Welcome to Fairbourne by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T1.5 GC9ZP32 Fairbourne Flier – St Cynons Church by CazzaB80 Traditional D2.5/T2 GC9ZPTP Fairbourne Flier – Don’t count your chickens … by CazzaB80 Traditional D2/T2 GC9ZP2T Fairbourne Flier – No Through Road but Footpaths by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T1.5 GC9ZP1G Fairbourne Flier – Alan by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T1.5 GC9ZPV7 Fairbourne Flier – Too many cooks spoil the broth by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T1.5 GC9ZP1T Fairbourne Flier – Stone Me! by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T1.5 GC9ZP35 Fairbourne Flier – Let Sleeping Cats Lay by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T2.5 GC9ZPVV Fairbourne Flier – Tough as old boots by CazzaB80 Traditional D2/T2.5 GC9ZPTA Fairbourne Flier – All that Glistens is not Gold by CazzaB80 Traditional D2/T3 GC9ZP2G Fairbourne Flier – Swan Song by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T2
GC9ZP0M Mawddach Meander meets Fairbourne Flier I by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T1.5 GC9ZP0V Mawddach Meander meets Fairbourne Flier II by CazzaB80 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
Events
GC9ZPWC 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 50 by 9 Usual Suspects When: Tuesday 27th September Where: Anglesey Arms, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
Please log a ‘Will Attend’ and indicate if food is required as we need to give the pub numbers so they can reserve an area for us.
GC9ZVCP CITO 2022 Season 2 by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T2.5 When: Sunday 2nd October, 2022 Where: Dinas Dinlle, Caernarfon LL54 5TW Time: 11am to 1pm
Our task for the day will be to pick up as much litter as possible from the beach and car parking areas. Please arrive promptly to ensure you attend the safety briefing. The event will last for 2 hours finishing at 1pm. Gwynedd Council will be supplying litter pickers, hi-vis vests, bags and gloves. We have given the event a terrain rating of 2.5 due to the steep banks but there are wheelchair accessible areas along the promenade. By attending this event your efforts will be rewarded with the above souvenir.
