Again, it has been a while. Wemnog and I have been busy streaking over the last month. This blooming awful August challenge has meant us doing something that we really didn't want to get in to. Finding a cache a day.
Neither of us are enjoying it, but now that we are near the end we will continue. We have managed every day so far, but it has been a bind. I certainly admire all those who can go for long streaks of caching, but sorry, it's not for me.
The important news is that my new venture, Cache Tags is doing really well. Sales are increasing all the time. I seem to be constantly at the post office. Sales to Norway and the USA are amazing, I sent three packages to Norway a couple of days ago.
If you want to see more you can find details here http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Cache-Tags?_rdc=1 which is the Ebay shop or here http://cachetags.co.uk/ which is the website. The Ebay shop is more up to date at the moment as we are currently struggling to find time to update the site, however it should be up to date by the end of the weekend.
If you see anything on Ebay that you fancy, just email me rather than buying it through there as it will obviously save on fees.
We are off to Great Yarmouth in the next couple of weeks to visit family and hopefully get some caching done. Other destinations planned are Brecon where my eldest son is now working and possibly a trip to Anglesey.
Again, apologies for the very hit and miss nature of the blog at the moment. I will try and do better.
One last thing, my man and I passed our 2000 mark last weekend. Very chuffed about that.
Happy caching.
24 Aug 2013
7 Jun 2013
It's Been A While!
Hello, well, well, well, I'm back. It's a helluva long time since I last posted. So many caches later, so much water under the bridge, so where to start? Well, let's start afresh I suppose.
Maybe I won't post as often as I used to, but I'll give it a try.
Since the last post the Facebook group GeM (Geocaching Midlands) has really taken off, we currently stand at 530 members, not bad for a group that isn't yet two years old.
Events have grown, breakfast events we get upwards of 50 people, the Summer Camping event was larger last year than ever and looks like that could be topped this year.
Wemnog and I ran our first winter camping event which ran over New Year and again had a lot of mad people staying in their vans, caravans and even tents. I had planned on that being a one off, but people have asked for it again, so the site is booked.
As for caching itself, we have found some really good ones since the last time I wrote, along with the run of the mill type. We have made a lot of new friends in the community, not just locally but nationally and internationally as well.
We have tied in with a geocache tag supplier and opened up a new Ebay shop where we sell exclusive trackable tags.
So as you can see, we haven't been lazing around since we last wrote, there's so much to tell you, so give me some time and I will try and get you up to date.
But for now........................happy caching
Maybe I won't post as often as I used to, but I'll give it a try.
Since the last post the Facebook group GeM (Geocaching Midlands) has really taken off, we currently stand at 530 members, not bad for a group that isn't yet two years old.
Events have grown, breakfast events we get upwards of 50 people, the Summer Camping event was larger last year than ever and looks like that could be topped this year.
Wemnog and I ran our first winter camping event which ran over New Year and again had a lot of mad people staying in their vans, caravans and even tents. I had planned on that being a one off, but people have asked for it again, so the site is booked.
As for caching itself, we have found some really good ones since the last time I wrote, along with the run of the mill type. We have made a lot of new friends in the community, not just locally but nationally and internationally as well.
We have tied in with a geocache tag supplier and opened up a new Ebay shop where we sell exclusive trackable tags.
So as you can see, we haven't been lazing around since we last wrote, there's so much to tell you, so give me some time and I will try and get you up to date.
But for now........................happy caching
26 Sept 2012
Events Galore
I am sorry guys that I haven't kept up to date with the blog recently. It has been an eventful few months since I last posted. I will start writing a proper new post in the next few days.
There have been events galore that we have attended, including the Mega and only last night a D5 event. Yes you read that correctly, difficulty 5. It certainly was as well. More about that in the next full post, but needless to say each and every event that we have been too have been great fun. The next one comes up this Friday, a karaoke event, a first for us. One of the events was our own Summer's End camping event which again was well attended, not only by people camping but by visitors throughout the weekend.
As I write this brief log I have just clicked the button to add the 300th member to GeM. The Facebook group for the East Midlands and beyond. It is hard to believe that in only 11 short months the membership has grown so quickly. If you want to join, all we ask is that you are respectful to other members and accept that different points of view will sometimes occur. The link to join is here www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/groups/137568269677358/
The GeM car stickers are now available and I was able to hand quite a few out at the recent events. We have just had a banner designed by the daughter of one of our members which will be displayed at camping events throughout next year.
I was recently asked to become a member of the fundraising team for the official 2013 Midlands mega so am currently selling the merchandise for that at various events.
All in all a busy and fruitful few months which have been enjoyable for both Keith and myself.
More soon, including fuller reports on some of the events that we have attended and some news about the next camping event that will be happening in a couple of months time.
There have been events galore that we have attended, including the Mega and only last night a D5 event. Yes you read that correctly, difficulty 5. It certainly was as well. More about that in the next full post, but needless to say each and every event that we have been too have been great fun. The next one comes up this Friday, a karaoke event, a first for us. One of the events was our own Summer's End camping event which again was well attended, not only by people camping but by visitors throughout the weekend.
As I write this brief log I have just clicked the button to add the 300th member to GeM. The Facebook group for the East Midlands and beyond. It is hard to believe that in only 11 short months the membership has grown so quickly. If you want to join, all we ask is that you are respectful to other members and accept that different points of view will sometimes occur. The link to join is here www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/groups/137568269677358/
The GeM car stickers are now available and I was able to hand quite a few out at the recent events. We have just had a banner designed by the daughter of one of our members which will be displayed at camping events throughout next year.
I was recently asked to become a member of the fundraising team for the official 2013 Midlands mega so am currently selling the merchandise for that at various events.
All in all a busy and fruitful few months which have been enjoyable for both Keith and myself.
More soon, including fuller reports on some of the events that we have attended and some news about the next camping event that will be happening in a couple of months time.
27 Jul 2012
Facebook vs Forums
Piratemania
It was a flying visit for us this year to Piratemania as we had some work booked in for the weekend. We awoke to glorious sunshine which made a change from all the bad weather we had been having. At least we knew the campers would have a better time.
We arrived on site to be greeted by a sea of tents, vans and flags. Most of our time spent there this time was with catching up with old friends. It was great to see The Imp, who we hadn't seen for far too long, plus a nice long chat with Mollyjak who was coping admirably with the registration. Tagged up and put on the red team, it was time to go for a wander.
Walking around the field we spotted a load of flying TB's. The event just gets bigger every year. We finished by having a long chat with Kathy in the UK Geocachers shop and passing on some more collie TB's which she kindly sells for us.
Unfortunately we weren't able to attend the Geolympix event down in Oxford the following day as we had three bookings on the day for work. From all reports though it was another great, well organised event.
Sunday night gave us time to finally book the campsite for the Mega up in Cumbria. We arrive the evening before the main event but there are plenty of side events going on in the days following to keep us occupied. The boys might be coming to join us as well for a few days so we are going to take the boats up as well and get on to some of the lakes.
Whilst we are up there it is International Geocaching Day 2012 so we will hopefully find a local event to go to then, if not we will be sure to grab a cache or two so that we get this years souvenir.
Facebook
Facebook has certainly changed communication in the last few years, and none more so that the caching community. Whilst there are still some busy forums out there, I can only speak of those that I am a member of, their Facebook equivalents are busier than ever. Some forums seem to be dying a death, with very few people posting on them, whilst Facebook membership continues an upward spiral. One Facebook group that I am a member of has just hit 400 members whilst our own GeM is heading swiftly to 200 members after only 9 months of running. It should certainly have reached that number by the time our first birthday event is held in October.
Access is so much easier, with more people having the Facebook app on their phones so that posts can be answered immediately, it has certainly made things a lot more open for people to ask questions and get replies when they are out in the field. The groups are a lot more relaxed and friendly as well.
Unless we do a lot of caching in the next couple of weeks to tell you about the next blog won't be until the middle of next month when we get home from Cumbria.
Then there will be a report on the happenings up there and some info on forthcoming events.
In the meantime, keep an eye open for the next edition of the UK Cache Mag, which should be published in the next couple of weeks. I know that Adam has been working hard on getting it all ready to get to you. Talking of Facebook, the mag has a page https://www.facebook.com/ukcachemag
Also, if you haven't listened yet, have a listen to the very entertaining UK Podcache show which is always worth spending a bit of time listening to.
http://thepodcacheshow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/podcache-show-episode-ten.html
Until next time, happy caching.
It was a flying visit for us this year to Piratemania as we had some work booked in for the weekend. We awoke to glorious sunshine which made a change from all the bad weather we had been having. At least we knew the campers would have a better time.
We arrived on site to be greeted by a sea of tents, vans and flags. Most of our time spent there this time was with catching up with old friends. It was great to see The Imp, who we hadn't seen for far too long, plus a nice long chat with Mollyjak who was coping admirably with the registration. Tagged up and put on the red team, it was time to go for a wander.
 |
| The Red Team Wrist Band |
Walking around the field we spotted a load of flying TB's. The event just gets bigger every year. We finished by having a long chat with Kathy in the UK Geocachers shop and passing on some more collie TB's which she kindly sells for us.
Unfortunately we weren't able to attend the Geolympix event down in Oxford the following day as we had three bookings on the day for work. From all reports though it was another great, well organised event.
Sunday night gave us time to finally book the campsite for the Mega up in Cumbria. We arrive the evening before the main event but there are plenty of side events going on in the days following to keep us occupied. The boys might be coming to join us as well for a few days so we are going to take the boats up as well and get on to some of the lakes.
Whilst we are up there it is International Geocaching Day 2012 so we will hopefully find a local event to go to then, if not we will be sure to grab a cache or two so that we get this years souvenir.
 |
| This Years Souvenir |
Facebook has certainly changed communication in the last few years, and none more so that the caching community. Whilst there are still some busy forums out there, I can only speak of those that I am a member of, their Facebook equivalents are busier than ever. Some forums seem to be dying a death, with very few people posting on them, whilst Facebook membership continues an upward spiral. One Facebook group that I am a member of has just hit 400 members whilst our own GeM is heading swiftly to 200 members after only 9 months of running. It should certainly have reached that number by the time our first birthday event is held in October.
Access is so much easier, with more people having the Facebook app on their phones so that posts can be answered immediately, it has certainly made things a lot more open for people to ask questions and get replies when they are out in the field. The groups are a lot more relaxed and friendly as well.
Unless we do a lot of caching in the next couple of weeks to tell you about the next blog won't be until the middle of next month when we get home from Cumbria.
Then there will be a report on the happenings up there and some info on forthcoming events.
In the meantime, keep an eye open for the next edition of the UK Cache Mag, which should be published in the next couple of weeks. I know that Adam has been working hard on getting it all ready to get to you. Talking of Facebook, the mag has a page https://www.facebook.com/ukcachemag
Also, if you haven't listened yet, have a listen to the very entertaining UK Podcache show which is always worth spending a bit of time listening to.
http://thepodcacheshow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/podcache-show-episode-ten.html
Until next time, happy caching.
14 Jul 2012
Wet Wet Wet
The recent rain has certainly put a dampener on caching for a lot of people. Thank goodness for drive bys a lot of people have said lately. We haven't done much ourselves over the last few weeks. However we have been putting together plans for a new camping event that is going to be held next year.
The Facebook page GeM, see the link above, grows, and gets new people joining all the time. It will be a year old in October and some members are already asking what we are going to do to mark the occasion. It's a closed group, but feel free to ask to join and you can be added as soon as possible. You don't have to be from the Midlands to be a member, we currently have a member from the US and one from Australia.
A new Dragonlady event for the area has just been published. Please feel free to come to that if you are around. All are welcome. http://coord.info/GC3Q89K
Next weekend sees Piratemania and Geolympix mega events take place. Both should be good, let's hope for good weather for both of them.
Sorry it's so brief this time. Just wanted to give everyone a quick update.
The Facebook page GeM, see the link above, grows, and gets new people joining all the time. It will be a year old in October and some members are already asking what we are going to do to mark the occasion. It's a closed group, but feel free to ask to join and you can be added as soon as possible. You don't have to be from the Midlands to be a member, we currently have a member from the US and one from Australia.
A new Dragonlady event for the area has just been published. Please feel free to come to that if you are around. All are welcome. http://coord.info/GC3Q89K
Next weekend sees Piratemania and Geolympix mega events take place. Both should be good, let's hope for good weather for both of them.
Sorry it's so brief this time. Just wanted to give everyone a quick update.
2 Jul 2012
Events, Events, Events
Three Events
It has been a week of events around here. It started last Tuesday
when our good friends fly2live2fly organised an event over at Burton on Trent.
We arrived to be taken to a room where the table was laid for a gathering more
akin to a wedding reception than a group of cachers. With white linen
tablecloth and napkins we were certainly in our element. The event was a little
more distant that the usual Dragonlady events but it gave everyone a chance to
meet up with some faces that we don’t normally see. With Kathy from UK
Geocachers also there selling her caching goodies it was a good night out with
a lot of friendly banter and, of course, caching talk.
 |
| Posher than usual |
Once the weekend arrived we had the Nottingham weekend
events, breakfast on Saturday and then the a picnic event on Sunday. As I have
said before the breakfast events get bigger each time. On this occasion we had
visitors from the North West, Sheffield and Lincoln as well as our more local
cachers. A rather large teddy bear also made an appearance! A head count by the
waitress at the end of the event confirmed that 62 breakfasts had been served
which isn’t bad going for a morning event. Of those 34 actual logs came in as
having attended breakfast, so a lot of cachers went the extra mile and brought
family and friends along.
Pete and Tracey from the Podcache Show www.thepodcacheshow.blogspot.com
interviewed a couple of attendees so listen out for those on the next episode.
 |
| Large Teddy, demands breakfast |
Breakfast and chatting over it was time for people to depart
and head out for a days caching, or shopping in Nottingham in some cases. The
big teddy ended up travelling home with Keith and I.
Come Sunday it was time for the Picnic In The Park event.
Keith and I opened the curtains to a bright blue sky and sunshine, it was only
6.00am though! Clouds did gather though as the morning went on so we took a
gazebo with us and asked some friends to do the same. As things kicked off at
midday there was some cloud but nothing too much to worry about. First to
arrive was Stevo185 soon followed by an ever increasing group. Rain did start
but it didn’t dampen the atmosphere at all and as everyone dodged the showers
by sheltering under cover conversations again turned to caching around
different parts of the country.
 |
| Rain didn't stop play |
Again we had visitors from all over as well as
our local crew. Another appearance by the Teddy who was then passed on to
attend another event. Rob and Ian, who cache as Two Anchors, arrived with more
caching goodies to sell. Have a look at Rob’s website, lots of interesting
cache containers can be found there. http://www.cache4u.co.uk/ The website is
just having an update, so if you can’t get on when you look, bookmark it and go
back later.
A group photograph was then on the cards behind the Podcache
show banner and then people went off on their separate ways to find more
caches. As the afternoon drew to a close the remaining few of us decided to go
for an FTF on a cache that had been published the day before.
 |
| Group Photo |
We knew that the retrieval of the container wasn’t going to
be the most straightforward, but we had fun getting it. High Frequency http://coord.info/GC3P3DH as the new cache
was called, stated that the cache was done at your own risk and safety
equipment was required.
 |
| High Frequency ~ MFB Tracker
As the group of us arrived at GZ we could see exactly where
the cache was and then the retrieval began. With a plan of action in place the
container was actually in our hands quicker than we though. I will leave you to
read the logs though.
We don’t have any more events in the pipeline until the end
of August when the Summer’s End camp runs, ending with another breakfast
event. Summer’s End is progressing
nicely http://coord.info/GC3NC0R
with a new series of caches being placed
for it by some of the locals, Paneke and Goose S, whom we are grateful to.
The next lot of events that we are going to be attending are
coming thick and fast with:~
Piratemania V http://coord.info/GC365FT
The North West Mega http://coord.info/GC2X1TM
Then our camping and breakfast events and finally for now
Summer is a great time for the number and variety of outdoor
events on offer and a great way of meeting up with cachers from other areas
where you can swap ideas and stories.
Finally GeM, the caching group here in the midlands, are
just beginning to formulate a plan for a camping event next year which will
hopefully see campers attending from different parts of the country as well.
That’s in the very early stages of planning but has been an idea that has been
mooted on various Facebook pages for a while. More news on that when we know.
Have a good week………and keep smiling, whatever the weather J
|
14 Jun 2012
Flashing and Camping
1260
Flashing
The weather wasn't perfect for rowing invisible boats in Nottingham city centre last Saturday. However we duly arrived at the market square looking around to see if we could spot any potential flashers. It was with relief that we didn't. All bode well for a successful flash mob then. Following a whistle malfunction on my part (I couldn't find ours) the job of blowing the whistle was passed on to Caroline of The Crabtrees.
As the clock struck six, the whistle blew and as if from nowhere paddles appeared (where people were hiding them upon their persons still beggars belief) People gathered at the fountain, two lines were formed, paddles raised for the group photo and the singing began. As quickly as the song finished, the group dispersed. Bemused faces from passers by as we were paddling certainly made for an amusing site, in fact I don't know who was more amused, us looking at them, or them at us. The logs have been fun to read, you can find them here. http://coord.info/GC3JAFH
All in all last Saturday, worldwide there were 312 events in 31 countries and the previous record for attendees was smashed. Our total on the attended list stands at 34, but with some cachers turning up with family members who also paddled I would estimate that we were nearer 70 people paddling. All in all a good bit of fun that shows the wackier side of geocaching.
After the event some of us met up at Costa's (where else) for a coffee. As usual, talk came round to some of the caches that we had done. Conversation then turned to a puzzle cache by our caching colleague Spire67 that had had a few of us scratching our heads.
Crystal Ball http://coord.info/GC3ENDW After chatting for a while about this RoPeHe announced that he had a print out of the cache page on him so we all ended up looking at it again. This proved to be the turning point and after half an hour, and then being asked to leave as they wanted to shut up shop, we had the much needed coordinates to finally locate the cache. The puzzle and subsequent container earned another well deserved favourite point
Camping
I had been in two minds as to whether I was going to organise a camping event this year. However emails started rolling in a month ago asking if Summer's End was going to happen or not. Having held the event at two different sites in Derbyshire during the previous years I did have a site in mind to keep it in that county. However, I had been told about a site in Nottinghamshire that sounded perfect. Wemnog and I drove out and had a look at it and it did, indeed, fit the bill nicely. Now for a name, as the county had changed, should the event name? I did toy with Camping It Up With Jacaru which would have brought a few smiles to peoples faces. In the End though we went for Summer's End. The location also ties in nicely with a breakfast event that is being held on the Sunday of the camping weekend.
Within minutes of the event being published our old friend The Imp had logged a WA which was good as he wasn't able to make last year. People from the Warrington and West Midlands forums have also stated an interest in joining us along with a rep from the 2013 Midlands Mega committee. With hundreds of caches of all types in the surrounding area it should prove to be a good weekend. Hopefully the weather will improve and be kind to us.
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are busy with events over the next few weeks, with a CITO event coming up this weekend, an evening event in a couple of weeks and then the breakfast and picnic events at the end of the month things are looking good for a busy few weeks. All the events are listed below. It's great that the Nottingham caching community comes up with a diverse range of events, something to suit everyone. If you can make it, please do so, all are welcome.
CITO Colwick Woods http://coord.info/GC3KY09 16th June
The Dragonlady Invites You.....#4 http://coord.info/GC3MA0A 26th June
A Summertime Breakfast http://coord.info/GC3G58N 30th June and finally for now
Picnic In The Park http://coord.info/GC3G58J 1st July
Interview With A Cacher
If you go to the interview page you will see the latest interview, this time with Tracey of The Amasons, one quarter of the gang who broadcast the very popular Podcache Show.
Finally,
as I type, I am looking out on the garden and I see sunshine. The first in
quite a few days. The hens are busy pecking and scratching around and the newly
acquired bees are buzzing around the hive that we have just put at the top of
the garden. That sunshine just begs for us to go out and grab a few more caches. Hope
that you get to do the same. Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading.
Flashing
The weather wasn't perfect for rowing invisible boats in Nottingham city centre last Saturday. However we duly arrived at the market square looking around to see if we could spot any potential flashers. It was with relief that we didn't. All bode well for a successful flash mob then. Following a whistle malfunction on my part (I couldn't find ours) the job of blowing the whistle was passed on to Caroline of The Crabtrees.
As the clock struck six, the whistle blew and as if from nowhere paddles appeared (where people were hiding them upon their persons still beggars belief) People gathered at the fountain, two lines were formed, paddles raised for the group photo and the singing began. As quickly as the song finished, the group dispersed. Bemused faces from passers by as we were paddling certainly made for an amusing site, in fact I don't know who was more amused, us looking at them, or them at us. The logs have been fun to read, you can find them here. http://coord.info/GC3JAFH
 |
| Empty Square |
All in all last Saturday, worldwide there were 312 events in 31 countries and the previous record for attendees was smashed. Our total on the attended list stands at 34, but with some cachers turning up with family members who also paddled I would estimate that we were nearer 70 people paddling. All in all a good bit of fun that shows the wackier side of geocaching.
 |
| Ready To Paddle |
After the event some of us met up at Costa's (where else) for a coffee. As usual, talk came round to some of the caches that we had done. Conversation then turned to a puzzle cache by our caching colleague Spire67 that had had a few of us scratching our heads.
Crystal Ball http://coord.info/GC3ENDW After chatting for a while about this RoPeHe announced that he had a print out of the cache page on him so we all ended up looking at it again. This proved to be the turning point and after half an hour, and then being asked to leave as they wanted to shut up shop, we had the much needed coordinates to finally locate the cache. The puzzle and subsequent container earned another well deserved favourite point
Camping
I had been in two minds as to whether I was going to organise a camping event this year. However emails started rolling in a month ago asking if Summer's End was going to happen or not. Having held the event at two different sites in Derbyshire during the previous years I did have a site in mind to keep it in that county. However, I had been told about a site in Nottinghamshire that sounded perfect. Wemnog and I drove out and had a look at it and it did, indeed, fit the bill nicely. Now for a name, as the county had changed, should the event name? I did toy with Camping It Up With Jacaru which would have brought a few smiles to peoples faces. In the End though we went for Summer's End. The location also ties in nicely with a breakfast event that is being held on the Sunday of the camping weekend.
Within minutes of the event being published our old friend The Imp had logged a WA which was good as he wasn't able to make last year. People from the Warrington and West Midlands forums have also stated an interest in joining us along with a rep from the 2013 Midlands Mega committee. With hundreds of caches of all types in the surrounding area it should prove to be a good weekend. Hopefully the weather will improve and be kind to us.
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are busy with events over the next few weeks, with a CITO event coming up this weekend, an evening event in a couple of weeks and then the breakfast and picnic events at the end of the month things are looking good for a busy few weeks. All the events are listed below. It's great that the Nottingham caching community comes up with a diverse range of events, something to suit everyone. If you can make it, please do so, all are welcome.
CITO Colwick Woods http://coord.info/GC3KY09 16th June
The Dragonlady Invites You.....#4 http://coord.info/GC3MA0A 26th June
A Summertime Breakfast http://coord.info/GC3G58N 30th June and finally for now
Picnic In The Park http://coord.info/GC3G58J 1st July
Interview With A Cacher
If you go to the interview page you will see the latest interview, this time with Tracey of The Amasons, one quarter of the gang who broadcast the very popular Podcache Show.
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