Nelson's Statue - GC15F4F

Just a quick solo mission before heading back home to England after spending a wonderful Bank Holiday in Anglesey weekend. I decoded the clue back at our caravan thanks to the extra help provided.

I'd walked past this cache before on my way to another further down the Menai without knowing it was there. The tide was out and so Nelson was well exposed (ooh - er missus!) and I had a good look around the statue. Lots of oyster catchers on the banks of the Menai and the view of Britannia Bridge was superb.

I found the cache quite easily, signed the log and took the Travel Bug which had only just been put their earlier today. Then I went back to the churchyard to have a quick look around. I found a bench but couldn't see the original name mentioned in the puzzle. I did come across a large imposing grave monument to workers who had died in building Britannia Bridge in the 1840's. Quite a well placed and fitting memorial overlooking the bridge.

Bodorgan Mill - GC1Q79X

Today we'd decided to go to the beach following a day of family geocaching in the warm sunshine yesterday. We set off quite late for Porth Noble just past Cable Bay (Porth Trecastell) after a lazy morning at the caravan. The car was loaded with two sit-on canoes, paddles, life-jackets, wetsuits and all the normal gear that you take for a day out at the beach.

On the journey there we'd noticed the mist at the base of the Snowdonia mountain range on the far side of the Menai Straits - the mountains seemed to be on fire. Little did we realise that the mist would be covering most of the sea and the coastline on this side of the island.

When we arrived at Porth Noble, Sarah and I went for a look to see what the conditions were like for canoeing. By now there was quite a cold sea-breeze blowing and the blue sky had turned a little grey - it wasn't looking good. But Cathy was adamant that she wanted to go in the sea and so we decided to try the Newborough beach a little further down the coast.

When I suggested that we did a quick cache on the way to Newborough I was quite surprised that Sarah agreed - I'd seen a cache called Bodorgan Mill on the map which seemed to be just off the road back to Newborough. We took a slight detour off the main road and parked the car in a lane. Then Sarah and I set off for the cache on foot, leaving the two screenagers in the car. Bodorgan railway station seemed to appear out of nowhere as we walked down the lane.

Then we got the main problem - the lane dipped down under a railway bridge and the hollow left by farm vehicles driving under it was completely filled with muddy water. Moreover, the very thin strip of muddy ground along each side of the lane was lined with an array of tall nettles. As I was wearing beach gear (open sandals and shorts), I decided there was no way I could squeeze past without serious stinging or getting wet muddy feet. Sarah, formerly having a sylph-like figure decided she'd go for it and trod the precarious path alongside the mud. She made it, and went of to do the cache some 400 feet further down the lane.

About ten minutes later Sarah returned with a smile on her face - she'd found the cache and seen the runined buildings of Bodorgan Mill. Moreover, she signed the log book and NOT put me on it! Can you believe it? I was quite annoyed as it was only my clothes that had stopped me finding this cache - I vowed to take my revenge.

When we got back the kids were hungry and so we had lunch in a car park on the edge of Newborough Forest whilst we made our final decision about the beach. After a lot of persuasion, Cathy finally agreed to go for a swim with Sarah in the new pool back at the caravan site and so we headed for home.

(Don't tell anyone, but as I hadn't got to find this cache, I'd already decided to do the Nelson's Statue cache to get my own back whilst the family were otherwise engaged).

A Quiet Rest - GC1BZ5R

Second of the day whilst out with sarahjones65, CathyMay and RiggyRob. We parked in the car park in front of the beach and headed up the promenade to the start of the coastal footpath where we were soon treading familiar ground.

We remembered having been here a few years ago when the kids were younger one of them threw a frisbee over a wall and into some long vegetation - Sarah hopped over the wall and eventually managed to retrieve it along with a few scratches.

The coastal footpath gave us superb views over Cemaes Bay and the coastline and the sea breeze ruffled our hair in the late afternoon sunlight. If we'd followed the GPSr literally we'd have ended up walking off the plateau and over a steep edge down to the rocks below, so we took a route around this to get down to GZ.

There were a bewildering amount of places that matched the description and hint and after looking in many of them we nearly gave up. Then I put my brain into gear and decided that no-one would put a cache anywhere near where the sea could reach it - I started looking a little higher up and shortly I'd found it.

We signed the log and as I replaced the cache I noticed that there was something else in the cache hole - a small stone box with a hinged lid like a jewellry box. We had a quick look and then replaced it before heading back for the car. A great place!

Porth Llanlleida - GC1QN1T

We parked at the restored 5th century church at Llanbadrig and walked along the edge of the graveyard to get to the Anglesey Coastal Footpath. Soon the views were spectacular as were some of the drops down to the rocks below. The sun was just starting to go down as we wound our way up and more will follow ....






This walk nearly finished me and Sarah off - if I'd known how far it was going to be and what the terrain was like I probably would not have done it today, but I am so glad we did.

Wylfa Ruins - GC1BZ4H

After being unsuccessful at the disabled Caerdegog Stones cache, sarahjones65, CathyMay, RiggyRob and myself were looking for our first find of the day here.

We parked on the main road and walked along the footpath towards Wylfa Power Station. I couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable here knowing that this was once a nuclear power station. I have usually avoided the north end of Anglesey because of the threat of radiation contamination in the area. This is probably unfounded, but why take the risk? Anyway, today I had not thought about it until now.
After crossing a field we approached a small beach cove before deciding that we needed to go back inland a little and towards some trees in front of Wylfa. We cut across the long grass and headed for a wall. Soon we could see the ruins of more walls and buildings and Cath and Sarah headed off for a corner as suggested in the clue. After a few minutes of searching they had found the cache under some stones.

We signed the log and dropped off a TB before heading back for the car. Now if we'd done our research better, we'd have realised that our next cache (Moe's Tavern) was just a little further along the headland from here. Instead, we only realised this when we got back to the car, and couldn't face walking all the way back where we had just been - nevermind, we'll back on another day.

Caerdegog Stones - GCYQVK

Although the cache is disabled, the previous logs had suggested it was actually still available to be found - so whilst we were in the area we decided to look for it. We found everything mentioned in the description and the hint except for the cache! Ah well, it would have been bonus if we'd found it - looks like the council might have removed it.

Dingle Delight - GC1PD4R

Out on a family caching expedition with sarahjones65, CathyMay and RiggyRob, we thought this was going to be a straightforward cache find at the end of a nice little walk - little did we know. We'd been to The Dingle before and so already knew how nice the area is - a little oasis in the busy town of Llangefni. On reading the information board we learnt that this steep-sided gorge was formed by glacial meltwater at the end of the Ice Age.

We parked in the car park at one end of the walk and set off with high hopes of an easy find. On walking past the carved standing logs at the entrance to trail, we chose to take the boardwalk rather than the path on the far side of the river - we'd gone that way before. This path wound its way under disused railway bridges and through tree-lined glades.

Soon the path opened out into a wider valley and back under the railway line again and we soon reached the point where previously we had crossed a little arched bridge over the river to follow a short but steep climb up the valley side and back to the road. We needed to go further up the valley than we'd been before where the path turned into a caged boardwalk over the fast flowing river.

We reached GZ (Ground Zero) at the end of this boardwalk and the GPSr indicated that the cache was somewhere close. We found several items mentioned in the hint, as well as an empty cider bottle stashed under the boardwalk, but could we find the cache - NO! We looked high and low for about twenty minutes with no luck.

Disappointed, we returned to the arched bridge and trod the familiar path up the valley side and back along the road to Llangefni town centre. Here we had pizza and beefburgers at a local takeaway before returning to the caravan.

Pwll Fanogl - GC15F17

Sarahjones65 and I found this one (or more accurately its replacement) on our second attempt. It was good to confirm that we had been looking in the right place last time and that the orginal cache just wasn't there. This time the cache hiding place was a lot more obvious.

Llanfair PG Village Vexation - GC151PD

Sarahjones65 and found this one on our second attempt. We'd had a little help from Flower Towers because the published co-ordinates seemed to be way out (This has been confirmed another cacher who has now posted new co-ordinates).

Anyway, armed with a little more information, we headed for a place we'd only briefly considered on our last visit. This time we found it straight away, signed the log and made a fast gettaway before others wondered what on earth we were doing.

Flower Tower - GCJTEV

Just a quick flying visit here today with sarahjones65, CathyMay and RiggyRob to drop off a NW Racer 2009 Travel Bug. The top was off the cache container when we arrived and it's definitely been chewed again by something. No other NW Racer TB's were in here today, so the last one we left has gone off to pastures new.

We love this place - the views are fantastic and the climb is nothing like as as bad as it seems it will be. We'll be back later this year if we get another TB Racer to drop off.

It's Raining Kippers ..... GCT0JY

This was to be the second and last cache of the day whilst out with sarahjones65 on a mission to drop off a NW 2009 Racer Travel Bug at one of the required caches. We'd just done the EarthCache at White Coppice Gorge and carried on to do this one as most people do.

We've had this Racer TB for more than a while (sorry) and had not got round to finding a good place to leave it, as it had quite a large model car attached to it and wouldn't fit in any of the containers we've found recently. So we decided to go for broke and drop it off directly at one of the places it needed to go, as we thought the container here must surely be big enough to hold a few caches for the race.

Initially I was a little concerned about the terrain which was described as being uphill, in a gorge, needing some scrambling and having steep drops. However, I needn't have worried - the walk up the gorge was very interesting and not too demanding for my old bones. I took it easy and really enjoyed it.

We did go a little further up the gorge that necessary and had to backtrack to cross the stream at a suitable place. Once on the other side, we scrambled up some tufty grass and a few rocks and were soon heading towards GZ.

The cache was found fairly quickly after looking in a few likely places and here we dropped off the NW 2009 Racer TB . It was quite a relief to have done this as it had been on my mind for a while. Against my better judgement, we also took another Racer TB as we know we should be going near another cache in the race in two week's time.

After signing the log with our new stamper thing, we took some time to take in the scenery before heading off back down the gorge. Great place - we'll be returning to carry on up to Windy Hill sometime. Still not sure what the cache title means though ....

I just had to include this cute picture of a little lamb gamboling down the lane on the way back. For some reason Sarah always says "Mint Sauce" when she sees them - the cruel heartless woman!

Check out this cache here: It's Raining Kippers ...... at www.geocaching.com

White Coppice Gorge - GC19PMM

This was the first of the day whilst out with sarahjones65 and on our way to drop off a NW 2009 Racer Travel Bug higher up the gorge. We parked someway down the lane leading to the cricket club, and when we got to the pitch the preparations for a match had already started.

We skirted round the pitch and past the pavilion to get to noticeboard at GZ where Sarah took down the required information. We needed a photo in Black Brook Gorge, which was handy as we were on our way up the gorge to get to the next cache. The trouble was, we weren't exactly sure which bit was Black Brook, so we took loads of photos everywhere.

On our way back (after visiting the other cache) we had a look down the other footpath towards Anglezarke reservoir. Sarah had been convinced that this was where Black Brook gorge was even though I kept telling her it wasn't! She did find a good tree to hide in though.

At the end of our walk we stopped and watched the cricket match for a while whilst enjoying a cracking cup of tea and a piece of cake from the pavilion shop. A great way to end a caching trip - there should be one of these at every cache location.

White Coppice is a great place and we took a list of cricket fixtures so that we could return for a match in the height of the summer, to hear the sound of leather on willow and eat cucumber sandwiches. We'll also be returning to see the famous icicles when the weather is cold and frosty - just as I like it!

Check out this cache White Coppice Gorge at www.geocaching.com

Barton Square Nano - GC1JMVH

Fourth and last of the day on a solo mission in the Trafford Centre area. As with the previous Trafford Centre Nano cache, I had a printout from a few months ago with and I was unaware of the cache being archived. I'm just glad I can still log them both.

I knew what I was looking for and so I knew it had to be on something metallic - there was only one thing in the whole area that was suitable so I went straight to it. In about 30 seconds I'd found the cache and took it back to my car to sign the log. The original strip is full so I signed an extra bit added by a previous cacher.

When I came to replace the cache it wouldn't stick to the metal. I thought the whole container was magnetic. I had a look in my car and found that a small magnet similar in size to a watch battery had fallen out of the container when I opened it. I put the magnet in the bottom of the container and then it stuck back in place. I really didn't know this was how they worked!

Anyway, the cache is still there if anyone wants to go for it. Go late at night like I did, there's very few people about.


Check out this cache here: Barton Square Nano at www.geocaching.com

LQ: Gtr Manchester - King of Swing - GC159WY

Barton Bridge has always been a landmark in my life - I used to cycle down here as a kid and watch the bridge open to let the boats go past. In those days of the late 60's and early 70's it was still quite a regular event. When my Dad took me in our new(ish) Ford Popular car to my Auntie's house in Urmston, we'd often be held up here whilst the road bridge was swung open.

I love the shape of the road bridge and used to think that this was the important bit. Of course it's the aqueduct on the other side that has it's place in world history. What an amazing invention and construction for the time - it's still working even now.

I had a good look round the famous bits and then went on to find the cache, which wasn't as close to the aqueduct as I thought it would be. It was getting quite dark by now and the cache location isn't in a place I'd want to stay long at night! Good clue.

P.S. Are we supposed to go down here? The gates at the end of the lane were locked when I came, but there was easy access from the side.

Check out this cache here: LQ: Gtr Manchester - King of Swing at www.geocaching.com

Trafford Centre Nano - GC1EGT5

This was the second of the day on a solo mission in the Trafford Centre area. I have been carrying a printout of the details in my car for a couple of months so I was unaware of any recent developments which have lead t this cache being archived.

Needless to say it's still there and I found it after using the clue and looking very carefully for about ten minutes. It did help knowing what I was looking for as these are tiny little magnetic cache continaers. Yes there were a few strange looks from passers by, but I didn't really notice the security cameras.

The original log is full and so I signed the extra bit added by a previous cacher. Shame it's archived, it's a good excuse to do something whilst others in your family go to the Trafford Centre.

Check out this cache here: Trafford Centre Nano at www.geocaching.com

The Trafford Centre - Travel Lodge - GC1JTKD

First of the day on a solo mission whilst in the Trafford Centre area. I was amazed by this place which is known as Wilderspool Woods. It's a small oasis of woodland next to the Trafford Centre.

The trees are large and mature and there's a pond with fish, plants and a few ducks. It's obviously some kind of conservation area as there's a compost heap. There's a woodland path which provides a very pleasant but short walk and there's even a little information board at one end.

I spotted the cache quite quickly after reading the clue, and it had been left partially open by someone. The container is a little high up for some people, who might not even be able to see it. It's inside a very clever handmade concealment unit which unfortunately is now starting to show some signs of wear.

Thanks for bringing me to another place that I didn't know existed and 10/10 for cache originality!

Check out this cache here: The Trafford Centre - Travel Lodge at www.geocaching.com

Aberffraw Village Vexation - GC1EY5F

This was to be the fourth and last cache of the day whilst out caching with the whole family for the first time. We were considering doing the 'Church in the Sea' cache today as well, but when we got to the Tea Rooms in Aberffraw they were closed. As we were all desparate for a cup of tea or an ice cream, we decided to just do one last cache and then head off back to our caravan at Plas Coch. This would also make my 60-up caches since I've started.

We know the bridge at Aberffraw very well, as we've passed it many times on our way to somewhere else in Anglesey. We've even stopped here once or twice and have walked to the 'Church in the Sea' on a previous occasion in our pre-caching days.

The history of the place is very interesting - it's almost unbelievable how places change through time and go from being important centres of settlement or trade to quaint little outposts. The bridge here is a fantastic shape although it must have been reconstucted and rennovated many time over the last 300 years.

Cathy found the cache quite easily and completely forgot that there were loads of muggles about as she started opening it in full view of everyone - thankfully, nobody seemed to notice though. We took a nice geocaching keyring Travel Bug and left a trackable supermarket trolley pathtags coin.

I don't know what it is about those tea-rooms though - they always seem to be closed when I come!. They were even shut down altogether for a while and I'd thought they'd gone for good. One day I'll get a cup of tea in there - maybe that's what the village vexation is !!!

View from the bridge

Check out this cache here: Aberffraw Village Vexation at www. geocaching,com