Event: 1
Walked: 1 mile
Just the one “find” today, I went to Essex Meet 41 which was fairly close by at The Bull pub in Danbury. Lots of the usual suspects in attendance and much geo-chit-chat, an enjoyable evening out.
Essex Meet 41
Tag Archives: essex meet
Day #353 – Magic Wanderings
Trad: 12 Multi: 3 Puzzle: 2 Letterbox: 1
Event: 1
Walked: 8.8 miles
Alistair needed to head back to Newcastle this afternoon, so we both drove to Shalford, north of Braintree, to do a couple of caches before going our separate ways. Our first location was to visit Infinson’s Magic Wand. I had heard great things about this clever field puzzle, and knew Alistair would enjoy having a go. I got about half way before getting stuck, then handed it to him. A bit of twiddling later and we had the log in our hands in about 5 minutes! Pretty good going if you read some of the previous logs 🙂
We had picnicked on benches around the village green, looking for clues to another cache which we soon polished off after faffing with some numbers (despite being one short).
After Alistair had gone, I headed to Gainsford End to pick up a new VS and Fine Pair which Infinson had set to coincide with today’s meetup in nearby Toppesfield. I bumped into Vanguard3, Happileigh and Starguider (TeamSOS) for the first time today, on my way back from one hide. I would see them again later.
The CM at Stambourne has been on my to do list for ages, as it helps me qualify for a Church Micro Challenge cache. Having found that, I have just one more specific CM to collect, but not today.
Next I found a parking spot in the tiny village of Toppesfield itself, which was already getting tricky as other Essex geocachers had begun to arrive early for the meetup.
I teamed up with TeamSOS to find the Church Micro and a few other new ones. We parted briefly again as we had done different bits of the circuit already. I almost didn’t get to look for VS Toppesfield as a muggle was right at GZ trimming her bush! (Ooh-er!) But she eventually pushed off and I made a quick find.
I also bumped into Goldpot again this evening (having seen him at yesterday’s meetup in London), and we searched for a couple of hides together before I headed to the pub for my pre-ordered dinner. Being hard core, he headed off for Hard, Harder and Hardest instead.
Shifty The Mega Duck had been patiently guarding the car all day but he was allowed in the pub provided he behaved himself. Which was barely – I saw him eyeing up other people’s pints and dinners all night! Pesky duck!
Day #297 – Amber Gricer
Trad: 4 Multi: 1 Event: 1
Walked: 1.4 miles
It had been raining for most of the day but it finally stopped around 4:30pm, so I headed out to find a few boxes before the Essex Meet #40 near Braintree. I hit the A12 just as the slow slog commute began, so arrived in Rivenhall End a little later than I had hoped.
Parking the car, I headed towards gillywig’s Amber along the railway line. It was a multi with puzzle element thrown in – and of course, railway themed. It didn’t take long to locate the shiny amber pot after working out what to do with the numbers!
Despite being quite wet after my waddle through damp undergrowth, I then headed towards Silver End to pick up a Church Micro which was missing when I last passed.
From the modern, to the ancient, my next stop was a very quick cache and dash at Church Micro 1102, Bradwell.
I found another couple of trads around Bradwell, as well as scoping out some hides near the meet which will need my waders again.
Finally, I got to Essex Meet 40 about 7pm, just in time to bag the last car park space and order some dinner before the event began at 8pm!
I had a great evening chatting to folks and was delighted with my 6000 Finds certificate, which Shifty The Mega Duck sat guarding for me for the rest of the evening!
Day #234 – A New Convert!
Puzzle: 1 Event: 1
Walked: 4.4 miles
I’ve been chatting to a coworker about geocaching for a couple of days. We found one on the way back to the station from work yesterday, and today he helped me solve the Films puzzle in Borehamwood during our tea break, one of gaffer121A’s many caches in the area. We went and picked it up this lunchtime. I think he’s hooked! Mwhahahaha!
This evening it was time for another sociable event, Essex Meet 38, hosted by HollynCharlie. Lots of folks turned up as usual and there were plenty of trackables to be seen for swapping. A great evening.
Day #171 – Doing The Lambeth Walk
Multi: 1 Event: 1
Walked: 7.2 miles
For the next couple of months, I’m working one day a week in Millbank, close to the Houses of Parliament. I’ve found quite a few caches around there, but I took the opportunity for a walk on the opposite bank near Lambeth Palace at lunchtime today.
The Palace (where the Archibish lives) has its own Church Micro which I found with little trouble. Another DNF nearby was a bit frustrating, but perhaps I will find it another day.
This evening saw the 37th Essex Meet at our original pub, The Woolpack in Chelmsford. But I was so busy chatting with lots of friends that I completely forgot to take any photos!
Day #108 – Folkestone Funicular Fun
Trad: 3 Event: 1
Walked: 4.5 miles
My final day in Kent today, so Julian and I headed to Folkestone for a wander around. I wanted to visit a Photographic shop in the Old High Street, then we went for a blustery walk along the cliffs and prom.
This was the view from the top, looking down the funicular railway (sadly shut during the off-season). Our first find was down there in the car park.
Further along Marine Parade, the rather cold-looking palm trees held another little hide. The view from GZ shows the rather impressive Georgian crescent, still looking resplendent in the rather grey weather.
Our final find was Harbour View, with a grand view at that! An easy find – we were quite grateful as it was very windy by then! Next off to ‘Spoons for a rather welcome lunch.
Once I was home in the evening, I headed out once more for the Essex Meet #36 in Chignall. A little series of seven drive-bys have been put out around the pub, but I’m saving them for daily finds – that’s another week’s worth to keep the streak going!
Day #52 – Essex Meet 35
Trad: 1 Event: 1
Walked: 4.1 miles
Another day where the weather was pretty grotty – I walked some local footpaths during the afternoon but there were no caches in prospect. However, this evening was the latest Essex Meet #35 in Hullbridge at the Smugglers pub. Great for geo-chit-chat as usual. I also found the new cache which had been published close to the car park, in the dark, with a bunch of other cachers.