North Coast Caching Trip
2006/08/19




This was a late decision to go caching up the north coast of South Africa, we decided to go on Friday night primarily because we were after a UK coin that had eluded us and of course 2 FTF's. We decided to do 4 locations only as they were not to far away well if you call a 300km round trip not far away then i suppose it's not far.

We left Durban at about 10:00 for Balito and Time for Tea GCXNA6 , we arrived at The Waterberry tea garden and as we walked into the shop our sences were filled with the most delectable aroma, we had a look round and then went to find the cache, which was located outside under a tree trunk, easy find, the cache was filled with tea time goddies and 2 TB's and a coin. We took Patla Patla TB signed the log anddescovered we were not the first people to have found the cache (bummer) went in to have coffee and scones and what lovely scones they were.

From here we left for the Flagfarm Animal Farm E-I-E-I-O GCXNA9, as we arrived at the farm we were greeted by a couple of bunnies not really to friendly but they let you get close enough. We almost payed the entrance fee to get in when i decided to check the location first and found we had parked 190m to far and that the cache was not in the farm but just outside (phew saved a couple of pennies). This cache was abit of a rescue mission as the Rabbid Rooster TB which is taking part in a race needed to come back to Durban as one of the madatory pitstops was there. This cache was another easy find and was filled with goddies so we swapped a cat and placed some scrapbooking cows into the container, the cache was hidden again and off we left for the next cache. It was decided that we would come back to visit the cache location when we had kids of our own to show around.

Next cache location was the the Amatikulu nature reserve. Amatikulu GCX768

We arrived at the gate and reception only to find that it was locked up and we later found out they were on lunch, we drove in anyway and were not sure where to go so we drove around following the gps needle until we found our way. We arrived at the picnic site and discovered we were the only people there, so we quickly looked for the cache and found it, we took the UK coin, the Mosquito TB (dont ask) and removed a knife that does not belong in a cache, we dropped off two decor stamps. Now by this time a local had paddled from acros the river to greet us which we found out worked there and hires out the paddle boats R60 for the day not bad at all. We had another problem though how were we going to replace the cache with him hovering around. I know i said "you get him to stand here and talk to him while i dash to replace the cache"which is what we did, worked like a charm.

picnic areaaint this a lovely coin

This place is really beautiful, the picnic site's are lovely, under trees, close to the ocean. There is also a 6km 4x4 track which we want to come back and do in our LADA. From here we left for the Raphia palm monument

The cache was about 23km further north, we arrived at the RAPHIA PALM GCMJN7 which is a beautiful walkway covered by the raphia palm's and other trees. The palms have long stems with long leaves and are really pretty. This cache was a little confusing as we did not know where the begining or end was, because the co-ords were very out about 150m, we eventually found it but was dissapointed with the contents as this seemed to be a poorly maintained cache. We did rescue sponge bob square pants from certain bordom and will bring him back to Durban.

We left The Raphia Palm's and headed back to Durban stopping of at the BP garage for some Wilkd Bean coffee very good coffee i might add. We arrived home around 17:00 having travelled about 300km. A good day was had by Sam and i and cant wait to go caching again soooon.

Sunday 2006/07/30

South Coast Meander Caching Day

Sam and i meet Whostops, his 2 kids and Part 2 of QFC In Pinetown shortly after 09:00 after haveing been at church teaching Sunday school. We left straight away for the south coast, fortunately for us Whostops had his Peugot 407 with him which made the trip comfortable, with this huge sunroof that retracts the whole length of the roof.

First stop was Sanlameer a lovely coastal town where many of our up country people come visit whilst they are on holiday. Sanlameer GCKQ78, the cache was nothing special. It was in a little cave about 3x3 m with the cache hidden right at the back behind some rocks. The cache contained the usual cache goddies. As we were arriving at the cache my wife Sam had a small mishap with a rock, she took a step and then there was nothing and hit the dirt bashing her leg, chin,elbow and whatever else made contact with the rocks.

TIM, BRANDON, SAM SANLAMEER CACHE

From here we went to SKI BOAT CLUB GCV95H not a bad one also situated along the beach the co-ords were out by abiut 7m so it made looking for the cache that much more chalenging with all the vegitation, rocks and grass. There were 5 of us looking for it so it did not take long for someone to locate it. A Micro hidden somewhere with a 7m difference not easy.

WHOSTOPS,STEPH,BRANDON,BATS,SQUIRREL

Next stop would be THE WAFFEL HOUSE (GCV8C6) which is a multi cache and you get to eat the best waffels i have ever tasted. On arrival at the cache we sat down at the table and proceeded to order, when all of a sudden Jeremy dropped the vinal blind with a craching abng that had everybody jumping in there seats and probably swearing us, but hey who cares we were having fun. Whostops found the cache and brought it to us and Brandon and i had to find the location and hide it so abit of reverse caching took place.

THE WAFFEL HOUSE.

Next stop ORIBI GORGE (GCV95D) Now this is another one of those fab caches in a sprctacular setting mixed with abit of an adrenilan rushdone with good company. Yes this is gorge swining nothing to hecktic but good clean fun. The cache is set down a rocky path covered in a green canopy of trees, the cache contained some worthwhile goodies but even if it did not the venue more than makes up for it. After finding the cache we stopped off where they do the gorge swinging to enjoy a beer and look and some people swing. I was not to happy with the price and thought one can do alot more exciting thigs with R350 like caching.

Next stop was Sophia,Nadia and Juanita's Food for Thought (GCRRN9) NOW THIS WAS A BUGGER TO FIND. It wasa nowhere near the posted co-ords but 100m away. We looked for over 30min behind every aloe tree and could not find it eventually we gave up and were leaving when Sam said lets just check this last one and low and behold there it was . It turns out somebody had moved it why i dont know but the main thing is we found it.

The cache was really dissapointing and we let the owner know who was not overly concerned as he has not found one cache and only hidden one in about 8 months, dont know why people like this play.