Blackleach Country Park - 5 - GCFZ15

Having been FTF at the previous cache, I walked optimistically to this one as if I knew where I was going. Obviously I didn't and after a good start along the main footpath I took a minor footpath (it was signposted) into a vegetated area. This made hard work of getting to GZ because of the wet, muddy ground and tree branches.

When I eventually did surface again I noticed that the original path I'd been on had turned a corner and would have been much easier to follow than the one I chose.  It had got much lighter by now but it was still cold - however that didn't seem to deter the frequent joggers and dog walkers who were starting to appear quite frequently on the path in front of the cache location.

Using the hint I found the cache quite easily (in between the muggles passing by) and I was very happy to see that it was another FTF for me today.  I signed the log and took a little plastic Stegasuarus dinosaur souvenir - I don't know why but I've started to collect dinosaurs from caches, so when there's one present in a cache I just have to take it.

After doing the admin I took a few photos and then headed off for the reservoir.  Things were looking good.

The cache was originally logged on www.geocaching.com with this message from my phone whilst out in the field.

'Yay - My 2nd FTF of the day.
Checkout my blog for more details later.'

Blackleach Country Park - 4 - GCFZ11

Having been beaten to the First to Find crown on the 'Blackleach Country Park 1' cache, I got up early this morning to attempt two further FTF's that had been activated yesterday. An additional two caches had also been placed this week making a nice total of five to aim at for a morning's geocaching.

I set off in the dark at about 7am and the almost full moon was still burning brightly in the sky when I got to this location.  It was -1.5 degrees C and the ground was crisp with frost as I found the public footpath that lead to cache.  When I saw where the GPSr was pointing my heart sank as I wondered how on earth I would find in the darkness.

With my thoughts also wondering if anyone had beaten me to it, I launched myself in amongst the trees and started looking for an item mentioned in the hint - there were lots of them.  I tried using my 'phone for light, but it wasn't much good, so I just had to resort to feeling my way through the branches.

And then, success! I can't believe how I found it in the dark. There were no other signatures in the log so it was a FTF - the first I've had for ages.  I did my best to sign the log, but I couldn't really see what I was doing and my fingers were freezing cold.  Sorry for the muddy, scruffy writing!

After I returned the cache to its home, I checked the GPSr for the next FTF on my planned route and set off with a spring in my step as the dawn was starting to break.  The path led alongside the M61 motorway which was now starting to buzz and hum with noise of the traffic starting the working day. There was a wonderful orange glow in the sky and some manmade objects created beautiful silhouettes against it.

The cache was originally logged on www.geocaching.com with this message from my phone whilst out in the field.

'Yay - FTF !!!  and my first cache of the day.
Checkout my blog for more details later.'

4 new 'First To Finds' in Bolton

Today I got up at 5:30am, left the house at 6:00am and was geocaching on a round trip near Smithills in Bolton by 6:30am. I was first to find (FTF) four new caches:

* The Old Garden Centre
* Tippett House
* Lower Sheep Pen
* Upper Sheep Pen

I also carried on to do the cache in Moss Bank Park as it was nearby.

Sorry, I've done quite a few caches recently and I'm getting a bit behind with this blog - details and photos will follow soon.

Nanna's Treasure Chest - GC1WP9N

Yey, another FTF in Pennington Flash and my first in August. I got up with the mikmen to make sure I got this one today after having seen it was available last night. It was a beautiful summer's morning with the sun shining and the birds singing. When I got to the Flash the lower car park was shut - I've never been here this early before! So I drove round to the Pay and Dismay car park ( I can remember when this used to be free) and left my car there before romping off up the footpaths whilst praying no-one had beaten me to it.

I found the cache quite easily - strange that Nanna's favourite place is under some bricks amongst the trees :) - and took it back to the nearby bird watching hide to do the admin. I took the geocoin and FTF badge and left a Spanish Easter Egg Geocoin and a Crash Bandicoot game after signing the logbook.


Postscript:
After reading Foinavon's log which followed mine at www.geocaching.com, I got really worried that I hadn't put the Spanish Easter Egg geocoin in the cache - so I shot back down to Pennington Flash this afternoon to check it out. I decided to look if I'd left it in the bird watching hide first, as this was where I'd signed the log and refilled the cache container. When I got there I found John Stead filling in the log for his find of this cache. I asked him if he'd found the geocoin and he said that he had and then showed it to me. I felt very relieved as I wouldn't have liked to have been responsible for losing someone elses geocoin. I don't know why Foinavon didn't see it there, perhaps he thought it wasn't a geocoin due to its egg shape?

John and I then had a very pleasant chat about geocaching and things, and I quickly learnt he's something of a veteran expert compared to me. After replacing the cache with me standing guard, John went off to do the nearby BYAKUYA and I went off to look for Kid Glove in Golborne. A very nice man and I look forward to meeting him again sometime.

BYAKUYA - GC1WEZK

Yey, my first ever FTF! Nice easy cache in a great location - I love Pennington Flash. After parking at the first car park I walked down the footpath looking out for other cachers who might be after this one. When I found that no-one else had been I was elated - I felt sure I would be pipped at the post for this cache.

Anyway, needless to say I wasn't and after signing the log and exchanging a Geocoin for a TB, I went off taking pictures in amongst the geese and ducks. The Flash was very choppy after an interesting night of rain, thunder and lightning but the sun was out and although it was a bit breezy, it was wonderful.

Took the Travel Bug and left Gribbin's Cornwall 08 geocoin.

P.S. What on earth does BYAKUYA mean ???