Trad: 1
Walked: 6.0 miles
Today was the last of my days working in Elstree for a couple of weeks, so hopefully the next few days will have more finds at more interesting locations. But for now, a quick cache and dash around King’s Cross/St. Pancras will have to suffice. It was back to the Lost River Fleet series, this time #13.
Trad: 9 Multi: 1
Walked: 4.2 miles
I decided to kill two birds with one stone today – I needed to visit Purfleet to find the SideTracked cache and also pick up a Church Micro somewhere along the way, both helping me towards Challenge cache qualifications.
My first stop was Purfleet where I managed to find three caches in the end, including the SideTracked hide. Knights Of The Round Table, was at a very curious spot!
On to Pitsea, where St Gabriel’s Church has a new CM by Cettis12. This was an easy find. The church is a modern design, quite pleasant in its own way.
I noticed that In Memoriam, Pitsea War Memorial by Grimmer Scotting was also close by. Since I’m on a long term mission to find more multis (again with the aim of Challenge Cache qualification), I thought I would give it a go. The memorial looked lovely in the contre jour lighting this morning. I found the numbers quickly and the cache was also a swift locate once in the right place.
I had allowed myself the morning to “play”, and since there was still some time left, I did a few more drive bys and cache & dash in east Basildon as I worked my way home.
I was going to look for another of Cettis12’s new Church Micros but as I approached I saw a guy loitering around outside the church, trying to give out leaflets about Jesus to anyone who would take them. Having politely declined, I was told “God loves you” and I made a swift exit. Frustrating, as I could easily see the bison tube in its hiding place, but feared trying to retrieve it would attract too much attention from the zealot… So I decided to leave it for another day.
Multi: 1
Walked: 3.1 miles
Today’s target was the Church Micro at Highwood. Thankfully the information needed was all within a small area of the churchyard and the numbers fell out relatively quickly. Job done.
Trad: 19 Puzzle: 1 Letterbox: 5
Walked: 9.1 miles
Today I thought it was time to tackle another stretch of The Essex Way. My target location was the caches between Terling (209) and White Notley (235). I clocked up 25 finds and 3 DNF’s, not bad considering I didn’t get off my butt and go out until mid afternoon.
There were a few more urban hides in Terling to begin with, including one at a well-hidden surface block deep inside a hedge! I just about spotted the right place.
Heading north out of Terling brought me to a little wood where someone had built this cool den from branches.
Then the scenery opened up and I was crossing rolling fields towards Fairstead Church in the distance.
The track was pretty level and a good surface under foot by the time I got past Troys Hall and onto Pink Lane. How appropriate to have a pink hat?
Having completed my route to the Faulkbourne Road, I then turned towards Terling again and trudged my way back to the car. A good afternoon out, all in all.
Trad: 9
Walked: 8.4 miles
I met up with muggle friends today for a picnic in Epping Forest. Of course, I took the opportunity to find a few boxes in Epping town on the way, and in the Forest after they had set off for home.
We also enjoyed lovely home made cakes and tea in the Church at High Beach. It’s a pretty spot – pity there is no Church Micro there, and it would be a great location as there aren’t any caches near enough to clash with it.
I’m glad I found some nice caches while out, as it’s my 7th Geocaching Birthday today! Seems like only yesterday I started out in this crazy tupperware-hunting game!
Trad: 1
Walked: 2.7 miles
I hand’t realised that there was a new(ish) Church Micro at Ulting until recently. I love the little church by the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation, it’s one of my favourite locations in Essex. The Church Micro is a little bit away from the actual church due to the proximity of a much older existing cache, Red Indian Church (my 17th find way back in October 2008!)
Even though I didn’t need to, I still took a wander down the driveway and spent a lovely tranquil few minutes wandering around in the churchyard.
