Showing posts with label Little Quest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Little Quest. Show all posts

Saturday, 30 June 2012

A Day full of Epic caches.

Well in the winter of 2010/2011 Mr & Mrs. Basketcase spent many hours trying to solve 2 certain puzzles. After lots of trial and error, research and nudges we eventually solved them and had planned to go look for them with friends who we worked with at the time. We were going to go in Feb 2011 but had to call it off at last minute due to horrendous weather forecast.

Over the summer we even pitched up next to the evil C/O of the caches at the brilliant Piratemania event. We gave him a lot of stick for putting us through many frustrating hours but said we would get to them as soon as poss. Well unfortunately many things happened after Piratemania that it didn't even get thought of again until this year.

I have being doing lots of fantastic caches this year with my caching partner Jules of the Bedfords and a few months ago I told her about these infamous puzzles and the fact that I wanted to go do them and Mrs. BCC wasn't too fussed. Jules was up for it but wouldn't go without solving the said puzzles herself. She did well and seemed to solve them a lot quicker than we did.
Anyway a month or so ago it was decided that this Saturday was the day that we should go get these 2 epic puzzle caches.....The 5/5 Werewolf and the 4/4 Whitespace... but that we would hand pick a few others to do.....

At 4.30am alarm wakes me up and at 6am I pick Jules up and we are on our way up north.

Tunnel-Tastic by Chillie Slim Kid & GONE-2-FAR

http://coord.info/GCRRB0

We had decided to start off with this one which had been recommended to us as we quite like having a look in tunnels. We parked up by the school nearby and it was a quick walk to entrance, then it was a simple task of following the disused railway track for a short distance to GZ with torches of course.
We did enjoy the cache and was glad we stopped off to do it as it was on the route.

Jules following the track

My pose with cache that Jules found!

It was good to get one in the bag, next stop a tree!



Forest Walk 5 by Mulkky

http://coord.info/GC35MT0

This cache was part of a series but we only wanted to grab this one as it was a D1/T5 which we both needed to help fill in our D/T grids. We parked nearby and enjoyed a short walk to GZ. Jules soon identified the tree and I spotted cache. I went up tree first but chose the silly/scared way up, I got the cache but struggled to get log out. Jules then climbed up a different way with myself still up tree, she managed to get log out and passed it to me to sign...Great team work eh?

Another grid square coloured in. :)

Next we had a short drive to grab another cache in the Little Quest series, this time it was LQ:Gtr Manchester - King of Swing. It was not in the most scenic of places but we want to try and finish the series one day. It was now time to jump on the M62 and head east a bit so we could go and seek those puzzle caches we crave.





Werewolf by muttoneer

http://coord.info/GC1NH60

We found some good parking so that we could grab 3 caches on a little loop with one of those caches being Werewolf. We took the Pennine way at first and was really enjoying some sunshine for a change as the weather has been so naff lately. We past a fair few walkers and I took a photo of a couple of them at the trig point. The terrain so far was easy and absolutely no problems at all and we made a quick easy find of White Hill which was near to the trig.

It was sunny honest haha

We had to leave Penine Way now and well the terrain all of a sudden became much harder with muddy peat, reeds around hidden streams which Jules enjoyed seeing myself take a couple of big squelchies to way above my boots and grassy tussocks haha. We loved it, it really was fun and not as difficult as we thought but hey we were having decent weather.
We had to pass Way Stone on the way as there were some dog walking muggles sitting there but we did that on return and that was also a great cache with brilliant views. The Waystone could be spotted from where we had set off it was that big.

Way Stone

We were a matter of feet away from Werewolf and could see that it was a long way down, but we needed to go down a few feet to get to GZ, we had to be careful here as its not the place to fall. The views round here were fantastic and we could see for miles, even mighty motorways looked so small.
Within a minute of being down and searching Jules moved a rock and we heard the metal clank of an Ammo can....OMG YES we have at long last slayed that tormentor, Werewolves are not a myth as we have tracked the menace down....This cache definately lives up to all the hype and my fave point awarded was its 100th, you don't get 100 fave points on a none series cache for nothing.

Yep we found the menace!

A long way down

We loved GZ , it was a very peaceful place and a shelter from the wind just a few feet above us. I reckon we probably spent 20 minutes or so just taking everything in. The views, the cache, the logbook......this cache was everything from start to finish.

Jules with the beast.

Gotcha!!!

On the way back down to the car we took the direct route but to be honest we wished we hadn't as it was even harder walking of dodging boggy marshes, infact I don't think it was any quicker.
We arrived back to the car in time for a quick coffee and then off we set again......




 Whitespace by muttoneer

http://coord.info/GC1AF96

With Werewolf done it was now time for Whitespace, we knew that there was a good chance of a shower so we set off almost straight away. We got to Acrophobic's solace which was just on the side of the big, high footbridge that crosses over the M62, the cache was a quick find and over the bridge we went.

There maybe trouble ahead (Black clouds)

A bit more along the Pennine Way

After a short easy stroll along Penine Way we took in this cache Windy Hill and admire the views, it certainly was windy here haha.

Windy Hill cache nicely hidden

It was now time to leave the path and off route, this is where the terrain started to get harder and was similar than the descent of Werewolf but steeper and more difficult in places.

The last pic before the storm. FMF or mwahhpets could hide a cache down here!

Next cache along the way was Frosties First and the moment I put my hands on it we felt a couple of spots of rain, by the time I had signed log and replaced cache I was soaking. Why oh why didn't I put waterproofs on first before signing the logbook. We were now in the middle of a fierce hailstorm.

We quickly moved on and tackled a bit of rock walking which was pretty tricky but due to the torrential downpour we made our way across it quickly with our heads down to reach the next cache Mad Hatter's Home and by this point we had thunder. Jules was becoming a little nervous at the thought of lightning and I tried to reassure her.
She really is a trooper because this for me was also a huge challenge, we are not used to these conditions but we kept going, unfortunately photos were becoming sparse as there was nothing to take pics of as we couldn't see anything.

We took in some more rocks and walked down some a while before we eventually arrived at GZ for Whitespace where Jules immediately found the lovely sized ammo can. It was a shame we could not appreciate the location as much as Werewolf but it really was lashing it down.

YAY Whitespace found :)

Lashing down but we got there.

Taking everything in stock this cache was fantastic and we were delighted with our success. In hindsight we shouldve done Whitespace before Werewolf but not due to the weather but due to harder terrain.

Tired, wet but there's still more caching to do. photo by Jules

It was hard work walking back but it did stop a couple of times and every step nearer the car we were the better we felt. When we finally got back to the car after a couple of hours walk, it was time for another coffee before jumping in the car for the next section of the day.



It was now a 8 minute drive to grab another Little Quest cache, we parked up at the side of Buckstones Moor #5 - Haigh Gutter and made a quick find there and then it showed up as 0.3 of a mile to LQ:W YORKS - Willmer Green which was a nice little walk but squelchy in places and our feet kinda hurt a bit from the battering of pursuing Werewolf and Whitespace.

View from LQ W Yorks thanks to Jules

It was nice around GZ but yet again as we found the cache we had to get waterproofs on sharpish haha, we took the details and returned to the car.
It was now time for a rest and a 40 minute drive back west, it felt good to be dry for a bit.



We parked up just as the heavens opened up yet again. Do you reckon we will have a summer?
We parked next to Reebok View and I quickly found that while Jules got her waterproofs on. We could see the Reebok stadium in our views but hey its only a football ground. I put my waterproofs on and we made our way to another couple of caches on the agenda for the day.

Valley of the Tiger by The Magna Defender

http://coord.info/GC2BAAZ

An earthcache with a rating of  D3/T4.5 in which Jules needed towards filling in her grid.
This really was a lovely Earthcache and although the terrain was a bit high it was definately very slippy and easy to fall in places.

Jules is laughing cos I slipped and almost fell!

It took in some lovely falls and lots of greenery around lovely streams, it was a little gem of an area that we enjoyed exploring.

Down by the lovely stream

It took us a while to find all the answers but we were also doing a multi at the same time.

#300 The End of the World by The Magna Defender

http://coord.info/GC3A7DZ

This was a fun 2 part multi where some questions had to be answered by going down a bunker, another place Jules and I enjoy going down.
I went down first and Jules went down after as we came up with coords that put us quite away from us, but one of the questions was a little confusing.

A bit of a tip down there!

OK lemme out it stinks down there.

The final coords took us up above the falls that were in the earthcache so we completed that in between these 2 stages. Once we were near GZ we were unsure of what side of stream we needed to be so I walked across a few times but it was very slippy.
After a bit of doubt about being in the correct area Jules announces that she thinks she can see it!!!!
YAY she did and we were rewarded with the site of a nice big ammo can.

Very slippy but pretty

The cache is in hand.

Wow can this day get any better, we got back to the car and we only had one hour left before we had to return home and we really wanted to get another 5/5 but wasn't sure we would have time.
I phoned our caching pal GolfChick and she assured us that as long as we found the entrance fast it was doable......Well that sealed it.



We jumped into the car and made our way to the next destination.

Ghost Train by gaznshell

http://coord.info/GC29M8V

This was our 2nd D5/T5 of the day and we were under pressure to find the entrance to yet another tunnel cache. We parked up where it suggested and just followed the paths but headed towards water, afterall there was water going through the tunnel.
I think to both our amazement we walked straight to the entrance and had to just cope with a slippy bank to get down so that we could head on.
Jules had already got her wellies on as they have good grip but I had to put mine on before we went any further.

Ok already and we were off into the water and entered the tunnel, the water wasn't very deep and didn't come above our wellies at all so it was quite easy going. A couple of minutes of walking down we soon arrived at possible GZ but we were just at wrong end of it, a minute or so later and the container was spotted and the cache was found woohoo.

Near the entrance!

The entrance has disappeared yikes!

Although this was over very quickly it was still a fun cache and better than Tunnel Tastic that we did at start of the day, now back to the car and even time for one more as we can park almost next to it hahaha.

The cache in hand!

Back at the car we knew that we could just about fit in one more which was another Little Quest, it was the last cache I had pencilled in so it meant we would complete them all.

LQ:LANCS - Hunter's View

We arrived at the car park and it was only a short but very scenic walk to GZ. It was definately the best Little Quest of the day and a great way to finish such an epic day off woohoo.

Lovely scenery from the cache site.


Well thats it our day is done, we have a 100 mile drive to drop Jules off but it really as been fantastic caching at its best.



Smilies bagged today = 18


Sunday, 8 April 2012

A trip to Melton Mowbray

Easter Sunday and out for the day with my caching pal Jules of the bedfords. We were heading up to Leicestershire – in particular, the Melton Mowbray area to pick up some caches and some pork pie! On the way, we stopped off to pick up a quick drive by and then LQ: Leicestershire - RATAE CORIELTAVORVM  which was a small cache on a path. Not as special as some of the LQs I’ve done, but another one ticked off the list.

Then..a bit of a surprise for Jules.... a 5/5 in the shape of Cold War Cache

Cold War Cache by Jacaru

http://coord.info/GC32REK

We’d both done a similar cache near Swindon but thought this one was more atmospheric – the bunker is in quite an overgrown area and it’s really dark in there...A great caching highpoint for both of us!

In the bunker!

Jules on way out


Then another treat:

Schrödinger’s Ghostly wormhole paradox by Pinfold

http://coord.info/GC2HJYV

It took us a while to locate the right portal, but that was all part of the experience. Then it was on with the torches and in we went! An amazing place, we were both really chuffed with this one.


Cache in the bag!

The portal

After these special caches, we grabbed another drive by and then headed off to do some numbers in the form of two series

The Somerby Circuit by The Bonhams

A series consisting of 24 caches over 3.5 miles.
A nice variety of caches and hides in lovely countryside, well marked paths and only a few cows! We really enjoyed this series and found all the caches so we were very pleased.

We parked up by here to do both series


We then went on to Pickwell Series, not even needing to move the car as the both series pretty much share the same start point.

Pickwell Series by the The Bonhams

A series which consists of 26 caches over 4.8 miles. Once again, lovely views, interesting hides and a really good walk. Very enjoyable and a few fave points awarded for some of the caches Thanks to The Bonhams for placing these caches.

It took us an age to find the cache here.


The weather was kind to us today – just as well really as I’d left my coat at home – doh! One small shower but otherwise, a pretty nice day. In addition to the caches on the series, both loops allowed us to pick up a couple of extra caches en-route. We ended the day with a final drive by as we headed home, bring the tally for the day to 63.

A really great day with only one disappointment...realising that all the shops were shut and not being able to buy a proper Melton Mowbray pork pie. Oh well, we’ll just have to go back another day!


Thanks to Jules for writing this blog!




Saturday, 24 March 2012

Up North

Well another epic day was had by myself and caching partner Jules. Today we headed up North and I was picked up by Jules at around 7am. First on our itinery today was another of the Little Quest series.

LQ:Staffordshire - Ancient Oasis by Dibbler + Dulin

http://coord.info/GC154YC

All the way up the M6 on the way to this one it was really foggy but thankfully it cleared just before we arrived around 8am at suggested parking.
It was a pleasant walk in Hem Heath & Newstead Woods and the pond area close to GZ looked really nice with the early morning mist over it.

Eerie pond!

Jules with the cache!

Well that was our first cache out the way and a thoroughly enjoyable one too. Now it was time to head back to car park and head off to first series of the day.


Betley Wander by  browni

http://coord.info/GC2HG1Z

A nice little series of just over 3 miles around the village of Betley. There are 15 caches in the series and another one to pick up on the route.
There are a few stiles and also cattle on the trail although we didn't see any cattle today.

Along the way.


We parked up at the pub the Hand and Trumpet and began the series at cache 7 walking the route in ascending order. All the caches were pretty easy to find except for one hidden in a gorse bush and cache 13 which we knew before leaving that it wasn't there as I had arranged with the C/O Ian that I would help out and place a temporary cache and log for him.

One of the stiles close to the boggy ground.

The walk was generally very easy but it will be very muddy at certain times of the year in low lying places around a mere between caches 10 & 12.





We had a coffee break once back at the car and a bite to eat to keep our energy levels up. It was then time to take a short drive to our second series of the day.

'Old Macdonalds Farm' by peteann

http://coord.info/GC2WDPG

A series of 17 caches which are made up of 16 traditionals and 1 bonus. We also took in an extra 5 caches which were sort of on the route or needed a slight diversion, a few of these were picked up by moving car.
The walk was mostly easy going but can be muddy at certain times of the year, we passed cows and horses at times but didn't encounter any trouble.

A lovely sunny day, just a little hazy.

The walk was very enjoyable especially at side of woods where we stopped for a chill and drinks break, all the caches were relatively easy.


The Magic tree!


Lovely area!




So after enjoying the second series and having a bag of chips in the village, it was time to move on to the last series of this sunny Spring day.

Hanchurch Hills by Cannonedwards

http://coord.info/GC2FTF5

A series of 12 caches with another 4 a short diversion away or on route. Picking up all 16 caches will take you on approximately a 4 mile walk and take around 2 hours..

A bit hazy, but Newcastle & Stoke are over there somewhere!


The walk is through some lovely woods and was very much enjoyed by both of us, the caches were in good state of repair and mostly easy to find.
One of the caches on route but not part of the series was the 6 year old Tree's a Crowd by The Beady Bunch (adopted by Hampk) which we both thoroughly enjoyed.

Feeding the birds?

Another cache in interesting surroundings was Little Man Guarding Tower by The Wotsits. There was a nice old tower nearby.

The tower!

Well thats pretty much it. Another fun filled days caching in the lovely sunshine.




Total smilies bagged today = 58


Friday, 16 March 2012

Elmdon Park

Well another Friday has turned up and so another days caching. I awoke at 5.50 am and was at first cache of the day at around 7am.

LQ:WEST MIDLANDS - The road to nowhere by OldNickCov

http://coord.info/GC1669A

I have been doing some of the Little Quest series of late with caching partner Jules and today as I was close to this I decided to pick it up. I parked up at end of road and then walked the rest of the way.
The cache located in Meriden is believed to be the centre of England...Always nice to take a History lesson when Geocaching..




After this I picked up a couple of drive by's before parking up on a Church car park in Elmdon Park.
The park is very close to big roads and Birmingham International airport but it really is a lovely pleasant area.

I started off doing some caches on car park side of church, picking up caches by Aramis144, matlou98 and part of a Tree series by Family B.

There was a cache up a tree right by this.
The caches were all straightforward except for one perhaps which was up a tree, infact I did not attempt that one as there were just too many muggles around. I will have to go back there with Ben and create a distraction hehe.

Down stream side.
The park really is ideal for families and good to mix the Geocaching with playtime too.
After I had managed to get all the sperate caches I decided to keep car where it was and attempt the Spotted Trail series by R&T with M&T. It was a fun little series apart from #1 being missing at the time.

I had enjoyed myself round here very much and will need to pop back for a couple. I think Ben would love the walled garden.

The Walled garden!





I did a few more drive by's and then parked up for a bit of a walk along the canal. My objective here was to pick up a TB owned by caching partner Jules and to take it on its travels for a while.
The cache was Bridge 80 by matlou98 and it was a real sneaky hide and took me a couple of minutes to locate.

Canal side


After lunch I had arranged to meet up with some caching buddies and do the Wast hills walk.

WHW 1 by Lime Candy

http://coord.info/GC3CYXH

The walk is approximately 3.5 miles long taking in 10 caches on the way. The terrain is pretty good but can be muddy in places especially after rain....of course.!

This is a lovely walk with some really fab views of the city, was just a shame it wasn't just a little bit clearer. The walk also takes you over the top of the Wast hills tunnel.

The team for the series was AirEd, Catshill Clan, the Bedfords, Turnbull Tribe & of course myself.

The rest of the team!

Baaaa!

None of the caches posed any difficulty in finding really but could see a couple maybe cause a few probs for some.


As we were having so much fun we decided that we should carry on the walk and do a Letterbox hybrid called Stagecoach Stash by Steve-e-b and Marina. This was very enjoyable and different in many ways but don't want to give anything away.





Another fantastic days caching and another 39 smilies bagged.