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.

News & New Caches 151

There have been no new caches or Adventure Labs published since our last post.

September Equinox

The September equinox represents a moment of balance in Earth’s orbit with nearly equal amounts of daylight worldwide. As the reverse of the March equinox, it marks the start of autumn in the northern hemisphere and the start of spring in the southern hemisphere. Geocaching HQ created a souvenir for geocachers to celebrate the September equinox. To earn this souvenir, geocachers must find a total of 3 geocaches, Event Caches, and/or Adventure Lab® Locations between September 22nd–28th.

International EarthCache Day 2024 Souvenir

Since 2004, EarthCaches have encouraged geocachers to explore and celebrate the extraordinary geologic features of our planet, like the Torres del Paine in Chile. This towering laccolith is as breathtaking as it is fascinating.

Earn the International EarthCache Day 2024 souvenir by visiting any EarthCache and completing the logging requirements from Friday 11th October to Sunday 13th October 2024.

CADW Open Doors

St Mary’s Church, Caerhun

The aerial photo shows St Mary’s and outline of the Roman Canovium fort

St Mary’s Church is open Saturday 21st September from 10am-4pm
Surrounded by sheep fields alongside the beautiful Conwy River, St Mary’s still retains the simplicity intended by Cistercian monks who founded it in the early Middle Ages. The churchyard has ancient yew trees and occupies the corner of the Roman Canovium fort.
There will be a display of the Roman history of the Caerhun site and refreshments will be offered.

Barclodiad y Gawres Burial Chamber

Barclodiad-y-Gawres open Saturday 21st September guided tours will be at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Meet at the monument.
A partially reconstructed Neolithic burial chamber sited on a spectacular cliff side position and is famous for its decorated stones.

Penrhyn Castle

Penrhyn Castle is open weekend 21st-22nd September from 10am-4pm last admissions 3pm
Discover Penrhyn’s history, its vast rooms, neo-Norman stairways and Victorian kitchens.

News & New Caches 150

A couple of new traditional caches and events published since our last post:

GCAXA2K Welcome to Holyhead by Glaslyn1 Traditional D2/T2
GCAXN5G Dyffryn Nantlle by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5 Premium Member Only

Events
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

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.

Souvenir Updates

Cosmic Quest Challenge

This challenge finished on Sunday 8th September. After extending the challenge by a week there was a final boost of points from the geocaching community ensuring the 15 million point target was achieved enabling the Cosmic Quest: Lift off souvenir to be awarded to all participants. Here are the stats for this challenge issued by Geocaching HQ:

111,205 players earned the Super Fuel Cacher souvenir by generating 20 units of fuel
40,829 players earned the Ultra Fuel Cacher souvenir by generating 100 units of fuel
18,981 earned the secret Discover the Spaceship souvenir by discovering a special Cosmic Quest virtual trackable

I find it surprising how few geocachers took part, after all it is a global game!

September Equinox

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:

Bodnant Gardens

Bodnant Gardens are open Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep 2024 from 9:30 – 17:00
It was created over 150 years, with plants collected and brought to Britain from far afield, and with the incredible vision of generations of the McLaren family. It’s a haven of rarity and beauty, with a stunning backdrop of the Carneddau mountains of Eryri.

Plas Newydd House and Gardens

Plas Newydd House and Gardens Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep 2024 from 10:30 – 17:00
The ancestral home of the Marquess of Anglesey sits majestically on the shores of the Menai Strait, a family home enjoying breathtaking views of Eryri. The house is home to a Waterloo-inspired military museum, works of art, regular exhibitions and, at its heart, Rex Whistler’s famous 58-foot fantasy landscape painting.

Rug Chapel

Rug Chapel Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep 2024 from 11:00 – 15:00
Step inside 17th century Rug Chapel and prepared to be wowed by its decorative flourishes.
Tours will be at 11am and 3pm. No booking required.

To find out what is open in your area click on this link CADW Open Doors

News & New Caches 149

Sionyn68 has been very busy during his summer break with 12 new traditional caches and a very nice field puzzle taking you to the highlights of the Penygroes area:

GCAXBC8 Ffordd Clynnog by sionyn68 Traditional D1/T1.5
GCAXBMK Ailgylchu by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBFR Mynwant Macpelah by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBD5 Costa del sol 2 by sionyn68 Traditional D2/T2
GCAXB92 Visit Penygroes – industrial Estate by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBMP Hyfryd by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBHE Talsarn by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBB9 Penygroes Station by sionyn68 Traditional D1/T1
GCAXBE3 Y Rhwyg o Golli`r Hogiau by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5

GCAXBKJ Eglwys Dolbenmaen by sionyn68 Traditional D2/T1.5
GCAXBJX Capel Tai Duon by sionyn68 Traditional D2/T2
GCAXBKW LLANWNDA – LLANLLYFNI by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5

GCAXBET Pant ddu by sionyn68 Mystery D1.5/T1.5

Three new Earthcaches have also been published in our area:

GCAXD5P Penmaenmawr Prom – Going Green 🟢 by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T1
GCAXD4N SideTracked Caernafon by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T1.5
GCAXD7G Sir Hugh Owen by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T1

Event Reminder

GCAWQYQ SideTracked – Holyhead by RidgeGrovers Event D1/T1.5
When: Friday 6th September 2024
Where: Lidl Car Park
Time: 12.45-1.15pm
A quick meet before RidgeGrovers take the ferry to Dublin.

CITO 2024 Season 2

CITO Season 2 started on the 1st September and runs until 30th November. We are planning to host a litter pick, probably around our regular area in Caernarfon and a tree seed planting event at 9US HQ with tree associated activities. For this event we plan to plant a variety of different seeds, grow them on and then next year host an event to plant the resulting trees. We ask everyone while out and about geocaching this autumn to collect a few seeds and berries, eg acorns, rowan etc, to bring along to the event. We hope to get both events published very soon.

Zip World Autumn Sale

For a weekday booking from now until Friday 25th October Zip World are giving their subscribers up to 50% off 5 of their adventures here in North Wales. Anyone interested in joining us? Further details contact us.

**VELOCITYZip World Penrhyn Quarry**
The world’s fastest zip line.
**~~From £94~~** **From** **£47**

**QUARRY KARTS Zip World Penrhyn Quarry**
A mountain karting adventure.
~~**From £43**~~ **From £21.50**

**TITAN** **Zip World Llechwedd**
A shared zip line adventure.
**~~From £52~~ From £26**

**CAVERNS** **Zip World Llechwedd**
An incredible underground adventure course.
**~~From £71~~ From £35.50**

**ZIP SAFARI** **Zip World Betws-y-Coed**
An epic treetop adventure course.
**~~From £44~~ From £22**

News & New Caches 148

Just one new event published since our last post:

Event Reminder
This is tonight!
GCAWF8W 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 70 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
When: Thursday 29th August 2024
Where: Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

Cosmic Quest Challenge Update

This challenge was original scheduled to run until Sunday 1st September but Geocaching HQ have announced that it has been extended a week to Sunday 8th September. Is this because the accumulative point total has not reached their target of 15,000,000? Currently the total is 2,300,000 short!

There is the possibility of three souvenirs available, two to be individually earned and one by the geocaching community reaching a target of 15 million fuel points.

See the table below for information about how many fuel points different geocaching actions generate:

Activated a trackable	1
Attended an Event	3
Received a Favorite point on an owned geocache	2
Found an EarthCache	5
Found it*	1

*Logged a Found it on any other cache type, excluding Webcam Caches.

Players can earn the Super fuel cacher souvenir by generating 20 fuel points and players can earn the Ultra fuel cacher souvenir by generating 100 fuel points. If the accumulative fuel points total reaches 15 million the 3rd souvenir will be awarded to all those that have taken part in the challenge.

News & New Caches 147

A new earthcache and a traditional have been published since our last post:

GCAW8PE Bwa Gwyn & Bwa Du by ruhrPod Earthcache D2.5/T2

GCAWZAG REALLY SideTracked – Bontnewydd by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D2.5/T1.5
This cache replaces the previous cache we had here. Half of the original cache has gone missing making the hide too easy for the D/T rating. It’ll be a very easy find for all who found the last one!

Event Reviews

GCAVXKP Beaver Badge Celebration by MonHunter
An event to celebrate the completion of MonHunters Beavers Personal Challenge which was to cache every day for a fortnight, either finding caches or maintaining others. It’s always nice to have an excuse to return to the Anglesey Column, as always, the refreshments lived up to expectations, the sun shone, there was plenty of geochat, in all a good time was had by all. Just one last thing to say, well done, MonHunter.

GCAVXAQ Meet and Greet Holyhead Maritime by shavonrg
A beautiful day for geocaching and perfect for an event outside the Maritime Museum in Holyhead. The event was organised by a group of very friendly American & Canadian geocachers who were on a day visit from the huge cruise ship just visible in the corner of the photo. Lots of geochat and swapping of TB’s before our hosts had to head back to their ship. We would like to wish everyone a lovely stay in the UK and hope the good weather follows them!

CADW Open Doors

This September, more than 200 of Wales’ historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems will offer visitors free entry, events or guided tours. It’s all part of Open Doors — Wales’ annual contribution to the European Heritage Days initiative, which invites heritage organisations, private owners, local authorities and others to open their doors or offer activities to the public free of charge during September, several of which are usually closed to the public.

To find out what is open in your area click on this link CADW Open Doors

We are planning on taking advantage of the free entry by hosting an event at Harlech Castle on Sunday 29th September.

Community Celebration Events 2025

One of the ways the Geocaching community will celebrate geocaching’s 25th anniversary in 2025 is by hosting Community Celebration Events (CCEs). These events are specially designated community gatherings held during significant milestone years in geocaching. CCEs will start taking place in 2025, but if you want to host one, there are a couple things you must do in 2024!
To qualify for a CCE geocachers must:

Have at least one cache published between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024.
Host at least one Event (including CITOs) between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024.
Must have created a Geocaching account before the announcement date of February 20, 2024.

If you meet the criteria, you are guaranteed to receive a CCE before the end of 2025. From July 1, 2024, Geocaching HQ will distribute up to 2,025 CCEs each month, continuing until all qualifiers have received one.

So if you haven’t already, now is the time to start putting together that Event and planning your new cache hide!

9US Community Celebration Event
We have already received our Community Celebration Event. As 9 Usual Suspects is 10 years old in 2025 our plan is to hold a combined birthday party and International Geocaching Day event on Saturday 16th August 2025.

News & New Caches 146

As part of our International Geocaching Day celebrations we have added a further 5 new caches to our Lon Eifion series:

GCAVG57 Lon Eifion, Gwaith Llechi by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D1.5/T2
GCAVG55 Lon Eifion, the Corner by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D3/T1.5
GCAVG4P Lon Eifion, Be Seated by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAVG4Y Lon Eifion, Theraphosidae by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAVG49 Lon Eifion, Not a Fine Pair! by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D2/T1.5

Event

Event Reminders

Saturday is a busy day on Anglesey.

GCAVXKP Beaver Badge Celebration by MonHunter Event D1/T1
When: Saturday 24th August 2024
Where: Caffi Twr Marcwis
Time: 11-11.30am
An event to celebrate a challenge accepted by MonHunter made by his Beavers Leader to find and maintain caches during the summer holidays as to gain a Personal Challenge Beavers award. So come along and celebrate completing the challenge at one of our favourite places, Caffi Twr Marcwis (the Marquis Column cafe).

GCAVXAQ Meet and Greet Holyhead Maritime by shavonrg Event D1/T1.5
When: Saturday 24th August 2024
Where: Maritime Museum, Holyhead
Time: 4-4.30pm
A group of Geocachers from the US and Canada would like to meet local cachers to discuss our fascinating hobby.

Event Review

GCAVKYR 9US Celebrate International Geocaching Day 2024 by 9US Event D1/T1

Once again we were lucky with the weather, it may not have been a lovely warm sunny day but at least it did not rain. To start our International Geocaching Day celebrations at 9am 5 new caches along Lon Eifion went live. We hadn’t expected there to be so much competition for the FTF’s but it did keep us entertained.

After finding some fishing caches at the UK Mega we decided to introduce this style of hide to local cachers in the form of an Ad Lab, Fishing at Plas Gwernoer. As Ecobake put in his log this ‘kept the kid’s of all ages amused’. After the BBQ Mike produced this years extreme game, target catapulting…. not quite as dangerous as the knife throwing!

A big thanks to Pete for manning the BBQ, Mike & Gail for the games, everyone who brought tickets for the tombola & raffle, the washing up fairy, everyone for helping clear up and of course for attending.

The Ad Lab will be available at forth coming events at Plas Gwernoer or by prior arrangement with Pete or Ann.

New 9US Coins

Our new geocoins designed by Julie of Bess’s Friends are selling fast, at just £11.00 each a must have for your geocoin collection. They will be available to purchase at our events or contact us either through the comments or email geocoins@9usualsuspects.uk

News & New Caches 144

First we must apologise for the lack of posts over the last couple of weeks. Our excuse is that we have been at Piratemania and UK Mega followed by visiting friends and family.

So, let’s start with the new caches and events that have been published while we have been away:

GCAV9QF Abersoch Nexus by rubenxamber Traditional D1.5/T1
GCAV9NE Mirage Mystery by rubenxamber Traditional D2/T1.5
GCAW70E Shanty Shores by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T12
GCAW54F Abersoch Explorer rubenxamber Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAW6Q9 Llysfaen walk by Cymroboi Traditional D2/T3
GCAW23A My Guide Hide by Geojade2013 Traditional D1/T1.5
GCAVRJ0 Rolling stone by Theonator Traditional D1.5/T1

GCAV9NN Golf Club Gambit by rubenxamber Mystery D1/T1

GCAVWX3 Little Bridges # 3006 Pont Yr Aber (Caernarfon) by Clueless_Goose Multi D2/T2

Events

Yes, this is this Saturday!
GCAVKYR 9US Celebrate International Geocaching Day 2024 by 9US Event D1/T1
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle
When: Saturday 17th August, 2024
Time: 2.00pm-6pm (the bar will remain open until the last person leaves!)
Games Start Time: 2.30pm
BBQ: 5pm
Trackable Raffle Draw: 5.30pm
Let’s celebrate International Geocaching Day with an afternoon of fun, games and plenty of geo-chat. Just to confirm there will be 5 new caches going live along Lon Eifion.

GCAVXKP Beaver Badge Celebration by MonHunter Event D1/T1
When: Saturday 24th August 2024
Where: Caffi Twr Marcwis
Time: 11-11.30am

GCAVXAQ Meet and Greet Holyhead Maritime by shavonrg Event D1/T1.5
When: Saturday 24th August 2024
Where: Maritime Museum, Holyhead
Time: 6-730pm
A group of Geocachers from the US and Canada would like to meet local cachers to discuss our fascinating hobby.

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
One for the diary. 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.

Adventure Lab

Bangor Rambles created by escapefromwork
This adventure is designed to invite you around some of the walking routes in and around Bangor. It is not intended to be completed all in one go. Take your time to explore some of the open spaces the city has to offer. Enjoy the wildlife and the views.

Congratulations!

We would like to say a very big congratulations to Optimist on the run and Harry the furry squid, better know to us as Simon and Liz, on their engagement. To celebrate they are hosting the following event:

GCARDEP Optimistic Squid’s engagement party by Optimistic Squid D1/T1
When: Saturday 7th September 2024
Where: Shenstone Village Hall
Time: 1-5pm

This should be a fun event. They will be providing tea, coffee, cold drinks and a selection of home-made cakes, some geocaching related stalls, with representatives of Severn Mega and GAGB in attendance. They also plan to put out some new caches in the area, and there will be other activities during the afternoon which they will announce later, so log your ‘will attends’ now to stay notified by them.

News & New Caches 143

There has been lots of caches published since our last post:

GCAV1CG YOSM #0115 Porth Ysgaden by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T2
GCATH1R Abersoch REBORN by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1.5
GCATH2E Dune Discoveries by rubenxamber Traditional D2/T1.5
GCATJC8 Abersoch’s Beachside Mystery by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1
GCATJD5 Abersoch Pre-Beach Treasure by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1

GCATJBM Sailor’s Secret by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1
GCATRHJ Lobster’s Lair: Potted Treasure by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1.5
GCATRGX Dockside Delight by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1.5
Multi
GCAV82C It’s all Shakespeare to me by Clueless_Goose Multi D3.5/T1.5
Earthcache
GCATK97 Royal Charter Memorial by 74jen Earthcache D2.5/T3
Mystery
GCATXCK Age of AI by Clueless_Goose Mystery D3/T2.5
Wherigo
GCATD9A YOSM #1127 Douglas Hill by Clueless_Goose Wherigo D2.5/T3
Event
GCAV1Z4 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 69 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1

Cosmic Quest Challenge

The Cosmic Quest starts on July 22nd and runs to September 1st with the possibility of three souvenirs available, two to be individually earned and one by the geocaching community reaching a target of 15 million fuel points.

See the table below for information about how many units of fuel different geocaching actions generate:

Activated a trackable	1
Attended an Event	3
Received a Favorite point on an owned geocache	2
Found an EarthCache	5
Found it*	1

*Logged a Found it on any other cache type, excluding Webcam Caches.

Players can earn the Super fuel cacher souvenir by generating 20 units of fuel and players can earn the Ultra fuel cacher souvenir by generating 100 units of fuel.

News & New Caches 142

We have several new caches to report. Is this due to a slight improvement in the weather?

GCATDNK Bwlch Cwm Dulyn by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T3.5
GCAT0GF YOSM #1113 Twthill by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T2.5
GCAT0H8 YOSM #1114 Penmynydd by Clueless_Goose Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAT0J2 YOSM #1115 Mynydd Llwydiarth by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T3
GCATC9J YOSM #1126 Garnedd Goch by Clueless_Goose Traditional D1.5/T4
GCATCNW Llysfaen Walk by Cymroboi Traditional D1.5/T2.5
GCATDKK Up and over the bridge by CaraThom D2/T3

Premium Member Only
GCAT50Q YOSM #0314 Garn Pwllheli by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T2.5

It is nice to see five new additions to the YOSM series here in North Wales. YOSM is a new numbered series. Ye Ole Survey Monument (YOSM) is a captivating series of caches that pays homage to the remarkable legacy of OutForTheHunt’s YSM series (GC45CC). YOSM caches are strategically positioned at or near Trig Points. These triangulation stations have played a pivotal role as surveying landmarks, contributing to the mapping of expansive territories.

Event Reviews

Ray’s Birthday
GCAN2QB Meet and Greet, Mine’s A Pint. by Bess’s Friends

Happy Birthday Ray from all your geocaching friends. A lovely event to celebrate Ray’s big birthday in the perfect location, the highly acclaimed Bragdy Cybi. And, yes, they can organise a piss up in a brewery!

A Great Day Out
GCCAN2QT Meet and Greet, Tanygrisiau. by Bess’s Friends

What a great day we had. We were picked up by Julie’s taxi, a service I can highly recommend, which we had booked well in advance! Not knowing how long it was going to take us to walk back our taxi was parked in the small parking area by Llyn Mair not the station carpark which gates shut at 4pm. We all followed our guide Ray up through the very pretty woods to Tan y Bwlch station. With plenty of time to spare before our train to Tanygrisiau we enjoyed a coffee from the station cafe. I love these beautiful old steam trains. The journey takes you through some stunning scenery which is enhanced by travelling on the old train.

At Tanygrisiau we joined Ali & Bry for the official bit of the event and of course more refreshments. The walk back roughly following the rail tracks takes you through some beautiful countryside and woodlands. Being in the company of the CO’s we were guaranteed a find of the 3 geocachers en route even though they struggled to spot a couple of the hides due to the increased foliage.

We were very lucky with the weather, though overcast it stayed dry and was not too hot. Of course our day would not be complete without a P&P stop….. the Oakeley Arms Hotel obliged.

A very BIG Thank You to our hosts for the day….. Just need a few more caches along the route to give us an excuse to repeat the adventure!

Cost of the train from Tan y Bwlch to Tanygrisiau was adult £7.50 dogs £1.00. We purchased our tickets with cash on the train.
The 5.5 mile walk took us 2.5 hours.