Sadly I forgot the battery to my camera this trip, so smart. So the pictures are taken on my phone and will be slightly poorer than usual (also means no video of the trip.) We drove to Almondington in Selsey to do a 17 series, this series involves three types of caches: Tradtional, Co-ordinates and Letterbox.
The first one was simple and easy but we did have to do this last on the way back because a dog walker just stood, and what seemed like, watching us while we waited for her to pass. She didn't pass so we had to carry on, luckily she didn't go the same footpath otherwise it would have gotten awkward.
This was our first Letterbox cache and was quite fun to do. I took a little note book with me to add the stamps to! We read on previous logs that the pacing was quite small for counting steps so we made sure to do smaller paces and were successful, pretty much perfect. It also helped with the trick of seeing where previous people had trodden! It was a little box of treasures! The log was too wet to write on as it was breaking down into little pieces.
Out into the windy field, nestled into a nook of the tree!
One of the few driest logs on this trip, a nice little reindeer ring inside! Did have to climb over a ditch as we weren't sure which side of a footpath to take.. we obviously chose the wrong side. This was a co-ordinates cache and wasn't hard to work out.
Again we had to cross back over the ditch, which would be fine if it wasn't so steep and had water at the bottom. Lewis stayed on one side to save us from both risking the jump across. The bottom was very soft clay and trying to jump off from it was difficult. Had we known the path met up further down at the next cache we could of just doubled back on ourselves but I like a bit of adventure and risk! I wouldn't of liked it had I gotten we tor muddy though. In the picture the ditch doesn't seem a problem but actually standing on one side is very steep and just too large to jump.
Another Letterbox cache that required 254 paces to be counted! Counting to 254 in your head isn't as easy as it sounds. Luckily Lewis kept quiet while I counted and didn't try to put me off! Unfortunately there was no stamp inside, someone must have taken it or misplaced it. Even if you don't count the paces exactly you can easily see the caches from the path if you keep your eye's open!
Another co-ordinates cache, again not difficult to work out except for the fact the sign that has an answer on is broken and you have to guess the correct answer. The hint did tell the answer but I didn't have the cache on my GPS updated since the sign broke! The cache was in the hole of a tree with lots of little snails hiding inside. Luckily none were on the box.
Another co-ordinates cache, hidden away in a little hole covered by sticks and twigs! One of the questions in the cache was confusing as we couldn't find a carved shape in the bridge but we tried out all the answers and eventually found the right co-ordinates for the cache.
A Letterbox cache that had an actual stamp and ink pad! Unfortunately the cache was quite wet inside and the ink pad didn't work very well, the log was damp too but still managed to write on it!
Having to wear gloves for this little cache as it's protected by nettles we found it after having to get on our knees! Inside we found a little friend whom we have taken into our care. He's very cute but must be rather cold in no clothes so we're planning on taking this little fellow with us on holiday and will put him in a cache there so he can be nice and warm!
Can you see the little box?
So there is some confusion with this cache to whether me and Lewis actually did this.. it's a co-ordinates cache but we didn't even work out any co-ordinates and managed to find a cache. The GPS took us straight to it. I have a picture of Lewis finding the cache and there's no other cache that it could be so.. we must have done it. Shows how easy the cache must be I suppose!
Last two traditional caches that link back to the road to the start. This cache hides inside the pole and is attached by transparent string that reveals it's hiding spot. Was tricky to get out as the previous person really shoved the log all the way down and in.
Last cache on our biggest series yet, (in one go) a little magnetic behind a duck sign.
These caches are a lovely walk, a nice loop round. Unlike the canal where you have to walk all the way back, this takes you back to the start. It isn't too long of a walk and it has a range of ranges both in style, size and type. Most of the logs were damaged, nearly full or wet and the stamps only worked at 2 out of the 4 for Letterboxes. We enjoyed the day out and saw some deer and geese along the way!
Travelling time: 1:37
Stopped time : 1:12
Distance: 5.86km - 3.6miles
