SA 2010 Day 4: Geocaching with Apty, mundoo, & the Official Photographer and Heckler!

I slept really well but woke up early for the dawn, hoping I’d be able to see one of the stunning sunrises mundoo is always posting.  Mundoo was going to wake me up if the sunrise was looking nice, so despite being awake I stayed in bed – sort of dreading there not being a sunrise.  But she came to check on my wakefulness and let me know it was looking promising!  Soon I was out front facing the morning with a mundoo-made cup of tea, my camera, and Ceri wandering around.  It was a beautiful sunrise – and very special for it being shared with mundoo.  🙂

After brekkie I went for a walk to grab a nearby mundoo cache. . .

Mundoo Muse Cache Details GC1BH27 by mundoo S 35° 32.886 E 138° 53.523 Difficulty is 2 and Terrain is 2 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 24/04/2008 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log 1st cache of the day after watching the sunrise over the Mundoo Channel! I was lucky as the going wasn’t very muddy. The views were stunning and the walk fantastic; a great way to start the day’s caching!Thank you for the cache and, well, EVERYTHING!

Then I returned to mundoo’s place and we were soon off to do a few caches on Hindmarsh Island on our way to meeting Apty in Goolwa. 

Grasshopper Green Cache Details GC1KN6K by mundoo S 35° 32.165 E 138° 52.539 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Micro It was hidden on: 15/01/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log 2nd find of the day as mundoo and I headed off to Goolwa to meet up with Apty for a day of caching. This is such a beautiful spot, with the lush green paddock nearby. The container is FANTASTIC and cleverly hidden.Thank you for the cache! Open your mouth Cache Details GCGF45 by Ian Mac S 35° 32.953 E 138° 52.756 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Regular It was hidden on: 13/07/2003 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found while visiting with Mundoo during my quick, spontaneous holiday from Tasmania! A great spot made even better by having a cache and my having Mundoo along to tell me more about Hindmarsh Island.Thank you for the cache!

We reached Goolwa with just enough time that I could find a quick cache before Apty was due.

More Signals Cache Details GC1GXBD by mundoo S 35° 30.210 E 138° 47.138 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Micro It was hidden on: 04/10/2008 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log What a lovely spot to take in the views. The cache was well hidden but easily found and retrieved (unless you’re a butter fingers like me!). I had mundoo with me, so she pointed out various locations of note and told me a bit about the history of the area.Thank you for the cache!

We met up with Apty, but I had to walk off immediately as I’d found out there was a moveable cache nearby. 😉

National Treasure Moveable cache Cache Details GA1689 by Waterlogged S 35° 30.186 E 138° 47.195 Difficulty is 1.5 and Terrain is 2.5 Cache type is Other Container size is Regular It was hidden on: 01/12/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found while visiting from Tasmania – where we not only have many national treasures but world heritage sites as well! The only problem will be deciding where to hide it.

I had a need, so headed off to a nearby cache. . .

4U2P Cache Details GCHN1B by Team Canyonero S 35° 30.178 E 138° 46.987 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Micro It was hidden on: 13/01/2004 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Mundoo and I were meeting up near by to meet Apty and our Official Photographer and Heckler for a day of caching when, well, I needed 2P. I had a quick look as this was opposite the facility so kindly provided by the council, but after getting stuck in a bush for a while as there were muggles coming and going (did everyone have 2 cups of tea at brekkie this morning too?), I gave up. Came back later with the whole group so they could laugh at me while I searched and eventually made the find. Glad I came back as I hadn’t noticed the name in the mural the first time I was in the area – classic!Thank you for the cache.

Then we all grabbed a coffee at Saltwater Cafe to consume while I wandered the sights of Goolwa doing an excellent multi cache. Not only was it well put together and perfect for a tourist wanting to see some of the less obvious features of the town, but I got to chat with my friends as well as see places I was already familiar with having seen them in mundoo’s photos. It’s wonderful seeing her photos come alive – and Goolwa is a charming town.

Mosaic Me Cache Details GC1GJ9R by mundoo S 35° 30.191 E 138° 47.041 Difficulty is 2.5 and Terrain is 1 Cache type is Multi Container size is Micro It was hidden on: 06/07/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log What a great multi! And I did it in great company too. Found this one while sipping a warm beverage and strolling around Goolwa with mundoo, Apty, and Our Official Photographer/Heckler. I enjoyed the opportunity to see a bit more of Goola and these extremely well done murals.Thank you for the cache!

Next we all piled into Apty’s cacheMobile to seek some more caches. I was glad there were some Apty and mundoo hadn’t found yet.

Laffin’s Point of View Cache Details GC28D3G by The_Fusilid S 35° 29.663 E 138° 49.298 Difficulty is 1.5 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 10/05/2010 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log 1st find with Apty on our day caching with mundoo and The Official Photographer and Heckler. I saw something suspicious as I headed to GZ and soon had the cache in hand! Loved the view and the ‘Don’t make waves’ sign nearby.Thank you for the cache! Hurford’s Hurrah Cache Details GC230XG by The_Fusilid S 35° 29.763 E 138° 47.840 Difficulty is 1.5 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Micro It was hidden on: 24/01/2010 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found the cache while out caching with mundoo, Apty, and Our Official Photographer and Heckler. I was almost distracted from the caching by all the bird life nearby, however my special talent for making all birds disappear as soon as I have my camera in hand meant I soon had my priorities right.What a lovely spot for a cache! River Views Cache Details GC22KA3 by The_Fusilid S 35° 29.687 E 138° 48.200 Difficulty is 1.5 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Micro It was hidden on: 02/01/2010 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found while out caching with Apty, mundoo, and Our Official Photographer and Hecker. I spotted the container easily but had a difficult time retrieving it. After I’d signed the log, mundoo replaced the cache to where it was when she found it originally as it had suffered from cache creep.Thank you for the find! Federal View Cache Details GC22PF5 by Claralinjah S 35° 31.357 E 138° 47.173 Difficulty is 1.5 and Terrain is 2 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 05/01/2010 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log A fantastic view – which I, well, um, almost forgot to look at as I was looking for the geocache. But I remembered and even grabbed a few photos.Thank you for the cache! Number Nineteen Cache Details GC1MKJV by Allchin S 35° 31.935 E 138° 49.551 Difficulty is 1.5 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Micro It was hidden on: 11/02/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log A quick find! It was winter and the car park was almost empty – except for a (one assumes) muggle camper almost on top of GZ. Looked like no one was home though.Thank you for the cache! Goolwa Barrage Cache Details GC1KJ74 by mundoo S 35° 31.643 E 138° 48.106 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Regular It was hidden on: 15/02/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found while out caching with mundoo, Apty, and Our Official Photographer/Heckler. This is such a stunning area, and I enjoyed having mundoo with me as a local guide. I saw the barrage from many angles during my trip and heard much about the history of the area. This was a typical mundoo hide – easily found and no need to stomp the vegetation.Thank you for the cache!

We headed out of Goolwa and decided to grab some food at the Bakery in Port Elliot. Then we headed for the point to eat – and find a few caches.

For the ladies Cache Details GC10GRT by Team Unicycle S 35° 32.205 E 138° 41.094 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 22/01/2007 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log I was above at the lookout and couldn’t resist scurrying down here, even though it meant I lost my friends! Fantastic views – and I must say I actually enjoyed the scrambling. Coordinates were spot-on for me, and the cache was easily found.Thank you for the cache! Twas the Christmas before Knight Cache Details GC18EAM by Team Unicycle S 35° 32.253 E 138° 41.040 Difficulty is 1.5 and Terrain is 2 Cache type is Multi Container size is Regular It was hidden on: 07/01/2008 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log I really enjoyed this cache – because it’s a great cache in a fantastic area but also because I did it with Apty! At the listed coordinates we applied schnauzer and apteryx brain power to come up with the coordinates to GZ. Our first approach to GZ brought us up against quite a barrier, but being the clever beings we are this was soon overcome and the find was made in a tranquil setting. (I suspect it’s busier in summer!)Thank you for the cache!

By the time we finished the multi, the weather had taken a turn for the worse. Most of our party wasn’t keen on being out in that sort of weather, but with local cache knowledge they were able to think of a cache I could grab and stay dry – and where everyone else could stay snug and warm in Apty’s cachemobile.

God’s Waiting Room Cache Details GCNJ0F by Freddo and Tadpoles S 35° 31.943 E 138° 38.282 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 19/04/2005 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Out caching with mundoo, Apty, and Our Official Photographer/Heckler, and for some reason they didn’t seem so keen on caching when it was bucketing down! Apty very kindly paused here so I could make a find while the others could huddle in his warm, dry cacheMobile. Made the find quickly but not immediately; somehow I think I looked at it twice because I saw it.Thank you for the cache!

I was nearing a milestone: my 1,500th combined Geocaching Australia and Groundspeak find. Again armed with my friends’ local caching knowledge, it was decided we’d make an Earthcache, Selwyn’s Rock, the milestone. So we headed to the bluff to do a few preliminary to get me to 1499. But one day I want to come back and do the caches on the bluff!

Fuel Up Cache Details GC22XME by spuddymoore S 35° 35.512 E 138° 35.968 Difficulty is 2 and Terrain is 2 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 12/01/2010 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Very quick find – with very excellent views! Found in company with mundoo, Apty, and Our Official Photographer/Heckler. It was a rather cold, wet day but I can imagine how fantastic this spot is in the summer.Thank you for the cache! Giddy Up 2 Cache Details GC2367V by mimimoore S 35° 33.286 E 138° 35.900 Difficulty is 2 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 21/01/2010 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log I was staying at mundoo’s place for a couple days, but it wasn’t until hunting for this cache that we showered together. We hunted and hunted in the rain only to come up empty. Then our chauffeur had a look and came up with the goods. Almost drove Apty’s car off without him, but Our Official Photographer/Heckler wouldn’t let us.Thank you for the cache.

It was a little out of our way, but Selwyn’s Rock wound up being a really fun cache to have as my 1,500th. After we hit just a couple more on our way back to Goolwa.

Selwyn’s Rock Cache Details GC1VA4R by Everlasting S 35° 29.801 E 138° 30.737 Difficulty is 1.5 and Terrain is 2 Cache type is Earth Container size is Not chosen It was hidden on: 29/06/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log There I was, out caching with mundoo, Apty, and Our Official Photographer/Hecker when I was getting close to my 1,500th combined Groundspeak/GCA find. My caching hosts thought this cache would be worthy of that milestone, and I must say they were right. Not only was it an interesting geologic feature but I got to log this find doing what I like doing best, group caching. I’ve met a lot of great people caching, and I must say you’d have to go a long way to find nicer people than mundoo and Apty. Thanks for sharing the milestone with me!And thank you for the cache! Victor View Cache Details GC22XM7 by spuddymoore S 35° 33.053 E 138° 35.705 Difficulty is 2 and Terrain is 1 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 12/01/2010 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found while out caching with mundoo and Apty on a fun-filled visit from Tasmania. The views are great, but I must admit the clouds and rain made them a bit bleak looking during our visit!Thank you for the cache. Let’s Remember Them Cache Details GC22RAG by mundoo S 35° 30.432 E 138° 42.516 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Regular It was hidden on: 08/01/2010 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log This was the last cache Apty chauffeured mundoo and I to during our day out caching together. He parked safely at the designated spot so mundoo and I could get out in the rain for the cache. It was a classic mundoo hide (respectful of the area and no need to stomp any vegetation) and I quickly had it in my hands. Mundoo did a bit of maintenance. I’m sure when it’s not raining this would be a lovely spot for a picnic lunch.Thank you for the cache!

And so we returned to Goolwa, where mundoo and I said our good byes to Apty and The Official Photographer and Heckler. I had such a great time with them. I’d been looking forward to meeting Apty, one of my geocaching/Twitter friends, and meeting The Official Photographer and Heckler (Apty’s girlfriend) was a great bonus! I just wish I wasn’t such a bad photographer of people; it wasn’t until I got home that I realised I hadn’t gotten a real photo of The Heckler. 🙁 I guess I’ll just have to meet up with them again.

Mundoo and I cached our way back to her place; in fact I’ve now found all but one of the caches on Hindmarsh Island!! And what could be better than travelling around with someone who could tell me so much of the history. It was excellent.

Ferry Controversial Cache Details GCJWRM by 2KsAway (Adopted by TeamHurtle) S 35° 30.293 E 138° 47.326 Difficulty is 1.5 and Terrain is 1 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Micro It was hidden on: 03/07/2004 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found while visiting mundoo from Tasmania. I was keep to get as many caches as possible, and mundoo was keen to check out the cache for maintenance. The views here are fantastic, too bad it was getting dark and was rather cloudy when I was here!Thank you for the cache. Marina Madness Cache Details GC1QHZ3 by Freddo the Frog S 35° 30.636 E 138° 48.269 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Regular It was hidden on: 25/04/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Madness – just madness! Found while out caching with mundoo on a visit from Tasmania. This was an easy find with no need to damage the vegetation.Thank you for the cache! Murray Mudflats Cache Details GC1F7F4 by Mundoo S 35° 30.130 E 138° 48.852 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 14/08/2008 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found while out geocaching our way back to mundoo’s place after a day out caching with Apty. It was really fantastic to have mundoo as my local guide; if you think her caches tell you a lot about the local history you can imagine how much you learn traveling with her!Thank you for the cache. Narnu Narnu Cache Details GC1M18Y by mundoo S 35° 30.174 E 138° 50.511 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Regular It was hidden on: 26/01/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found while racing around Hindmarsh Island with the lovely mundoo, trying to get in a few more caches before dark and before flying back to Tasmania the next day. A lovely spot with history; I think I disturbed a few waterhens when I went to see the dry dock!Thank you for the cache! Old school daze Cache Details GC1M19D by mundoo S 35° 30.599 E 138° 52.061 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 26/01/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Another interesting bit of history I would never have known without geocaching and visiting with mundoo. Too bad the cafe has closed, but I guess that makes the site less muggle-ful for geocachers!Thank you for the cache. Triggy Ricky Cricket Cache Details GC1H210 by mundoo S 35° 30.638 E 138° 55.485 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Micro It was hidden on: 24/10/2008 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found while on a caching holiday from Tasmania to visit my friends in South Australia. Mundoo made certain I got here while there was still some daylight so I could take a photo to log the find on the nearby trig point – and get this cache as well! This container is just fantastic! The views, though difficult to photograph at this time of day, are stunning of course as well.Thank you for the cache! Hindmarsh Island, South Australia Cache Details TP4964 by Geocaching Australia S 35° 30.636 E 138° 55.486 Difficulty is 2 and Terrain is 2 Cache type is Benchmark Container size is Other It was hidden on: 19/09/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found as darkness was descending upon Hindmarsh Island! Memorial to Pioneers Cache Details GC1F7FA by Mundoo S 35° 30.578 E 138° 51.648 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 14/08/2008 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log I love a respectfully placed grave yard cache, and this one is a winner! I’ve been visiting mundoo from Tasmania and learning a lot about the local area from her. My only regret at this cache is that it was getting dark and I didn’t take much time to read the headstones.Thank you for the cache! Island Heights Cache Details GC1M198 by mundoo S 35° 29.983 E 138° 52.053 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Regular It was hidden on: 26/01/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found as darkness was descending while mundoo was helping me grab the last caches of my trip from Tasmania. Visiting and caching with a local that knows so much about Hindmarsh Island was a real pleasure!Thank you for the cache! Wet and Dry Cache Details GC1M19H by mundoo S 35° 31.662 E 138° 53.750 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Small It was hidden on: 26/01/2009 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log Found after dark while out caching with mundoo. She was helping me hit all the caches on Hindmarsh Island before we headed back to her place; I left for home in Tasmania *early* the next morning. I enjoyed hearing about the area and could see the spinners on the wires to warn off the birds clearly in her headlamps!I didn’t see the coin that was supposed to be in the cache, so I hope the cacher who visited a few days before me found and logs it.Thank you for the cache. Fishermans Paradise Cache Details GC22RH6 by mundoo S 35° 32.120 E 138° 51.274 Difficulty is 1 and Terrain is 1.5 Cache type is Traditional Container size is Regular It was hidden on: 16/07/2010 Snuva found it on: 31/07/2010 Our Log My last cache of the night and last cache of my visit to South Australia. I was eager to log this one as I’d heard about Apty logging this as this 500th on his 50th and getting the FTF. My GPSr was sending me a bit north of the location, ensuring that my clothing soaked up plenty of that good, fresh Hindmarsh Island rain! I eventually found it – and mundoo took me home and light a fire to dry me out.Thank you for the cache!

I felt a bit flat by the time we got back to mundoo’s house; I was leaving in the morning. But better to have taken a short trip and met these friends then not to have gone at all.

(Yes – I realise I have some of these caches out of order, but thought as this post was coming up to being a month late being posted I’d best just publish it and perhaps fix it later!!)