tgsnoopy

This extra bit of plastic sounds interesting. The thing I'm most nervous about is trying to put it back together afterwards, all my efforts with silicon rubber in the past have been pretty messy . I suppose if worst comes to worst it could be parts for repairing Gavins 12XL. Speaking of which, I wonder where he dissapeared to this weekend, More importantly, I hope he enjoyed himself.

I'd like to have a go at fixing it Tony. If I'm unsuccessful I'll fire it to Nick, if I'm successful we'll work a suitable arrangement between ourselves. You can buy a lot of those interconnection strips these days, if you are lucky it will be one thats available. They originally used a peice of rubber that had ver fine wires accross it (which were very easy to damage), these days they use peices of silicon rubber that have conductive strips of rubber up the middle. All is not lost yet.

Yes, I would have to agree, however it is one of the concerns voiced when the charter memberships started some time ago. I have received e-mails asking me to remove that from my original message (amoungst the flamings), people seem concerned I was implying I thought that the cache should be plundered. Well, I feel that if someone would do something like that, then they wouldn't need my implied suggestion to go do the dirty deed. I think the whole bunch of NZ cachers is a great bunch, but you never know, do you? I have received a few e-mails, mostly from cachers who haven't got very many under their belt, it surprised me that the majority don't seem at all concerned about member only caches, as I assume most wouldn't be charter members (not that I've actually looked seriously at it), and subsequently wouldn't be able to see a member only cache. I will say that I think Brent had a very good idea, setting the cache up for a couple of weeks as member only (with the intention of changing it to available to everyone after those "couple of weeks"). Putting wording to that effect in the caches description would certainly have stopped any comments from me, in fact I would most likely have complimented him on it. There we have it. I might even consider using that approach myself on an upcoming cache just to show that I do have no ill feeling towards that approach. I'm just sorry I didn't approach Brent before making my comment here, I certainly would have taken a different tact if I'd known all the facts. Once again, Brent please accept my apologies. What will be interesting, is to see who will post the next members only cache (it might even be me)

Well er ah um I can't anymore! It was this cacheLittleLevy (Canterbury) I should have logged out and seen if it was actually visible whilst it was a members only cache. I'm not sure if you would have been able to see it, or if it was visible without you being able to see the details or quite what the story was. Brent has now made it a free for all cache, rather than a members only cache. Thanks for that, I for one really appreciate that, and I'm sure others will too.

No I'm not getting a commission on the GPS12's Steve (Although, now that you mention it... ). Steve, Next time you are down here, let me put my GPS12 alongside youe eTrex at a bush clad cache, you'll soon see that the GPS12 runs circles around the eTrex when it comes to ability to gain a location. Don't get me wrong, the eTrex is a fine GPS, however it's Patch Antenna just doesn't cut it under a canopy in the bush. Now if I could get a GPS the size of an eTrex which received as well as the GPS12 Another reason I promote the importation of the cheap 2nd hand GPS12's is I want them to keep selling so they are available if required, rather than Tony and Steve stopping the importation because they aren't selling. I don't see anything wrong with supporting the efforts of other geocachers.

Well, you could take what I said that way. However, most Kiwis are generous people, my feelings on the subject of members only caches are no secret, and I know I'm not alone in feeling that way. A simple comment in here pointing out you intentions to only have it members only for two weeks would most likely have prevented any comments from anyone. You are quite entitled to do as you please, but I ask you not to keep it members only because of my comments, I'm sorry if I've offended you. I fully expect a flaming from higher powers that be for my comments, but some poor Kiwi had to be the ginea pig and try the facility out, good on you for having the courage to do so. Please be aware that there are a number of active cachers in NZ who are placing caches that aren't members. Would it be fair to them to visit their caches, whilst preventing them from visiting yours? Food for thought, but thats the reason I'm not supportive of members only caches. Your members only for the first two weeks sounds like a good compromise. Have a nice weekend (edit from 3 back to 2 weeks, to correct my mistake) [This message was edited by tgsnoopy on November 16, 2002 at 02:43 PM.]

Interesting to see the first members only geocache appear in New Zealand. I wonder what the reaction of the locals will be? Could we e-mail the placer and politely request it be made available to everybody in true kiwi spirit? Will some members boycott it? Will a member plunder it? I guess time will tell. Personally I was hoping it would never happen, but I guess it was inevitable. In any case it will be interesting to see how people react to it.

Welcome to Geocaching Ella. Unfortunately their is no source of Travel Bugs in New Zealand at this point in time (that I'm aware of). However that may change in the future. The closest source of Travel Bugs is Team Idealology in Australia, or you could buy them directly from Groundspeak in the States. As far as your GPS receiver purchse is concerned, I could reccomend buying a second hand GPS12 from Tony & Steve, you'll save money and start off with the unit that seems to be the best performer without spending rediculous amounts of money. Give me an e-mail and I'll forward you Tony and Steve's details. tgsnoopy at xtra dot co dot nz

The North Island gear has arrived. We will be contacting the purchasers shortly to arrange delivery etc.

Choice, I wish I could say the same, but as of this morning the North Island package hadn't arrived. Hopefully Monday now, I'll be keen to check on Monday morning. Thanks for letting us know

Well, it certainly appears to be a co-founding director of the manufacturer of that software doesn't it. Well spotted Sherlock. A point to be aware of, Polymedia recently released an update set of CD's. Apparently the quality of images on the update set was very poor and people were better off sticking with the old set. Heard it in a lot of places, be careful, this may be the new set with the poor quality images.

Ok, really easy ones I could reccomend would be: The Huka Falls Kerosine Creek Death In Vegas Okere Falls Arapuni Power Rotoroa Aukland Stash Red Box II zuhe gongju clacker If you wife could handle a nice wander in a nice area, consider: Lake view Clean green wonderland - Ngongataha Te Waihou walk Apologies to any caches I missed, this was a qick thought, and I reserve the right to modify the list

I rang NZ Posts freephone number (0800 501 501), and asked how long surface mail from the USA should take. To put it simply, the answer was, they didn't know! Apparently I can't even get them to try and work out where the package is on it's journey, it would need to be done at the mailing point by the sender. An interesting phone call, no help at all really, but I just had to ask anyway. The parcel of mine I mentioned earlier, supposibly sent by international mail, was received promtly in a DHL courier bag (I wondered why it seemed so expensive on my credit card). It can be rather difficult doing business with USA based suppliers who don't quote what they are actually going to charge you before you confirm your orders. The international courier cost about US$35.00 by my calculations, but as the invoice with the pricing is slowly working its way over by mail, I can only guess in reality, some of the bill may have been a picking fee that gets added because the order was below a preset amount. Ah joy, next time I think I'll get my geocaching gear straight off Team Ideology Geocaching in Australia. Getting stuff from the states just takes too long, or costs too much in postage. Despite the delay, which was somewhat unforseen, thanks for you efforts Gavin, I can't help wondering just how long it's going to be though, it's become the standing joke between the lady at the Post Office and myself. I'm starting to thing she'll nab me with the package when I go in before I clear my PO Box. Everytime I get a parcel I go to the counter in anticipation. Yesterday their was a little tell tale yellow card, but alas it had been put in my box in error, talk about get my hopes up. It's a pity the T-Shirts are only printed on the back, still I've brought that up, and with a bit of luck, they might start producing geocaching T-Shirts which have logo's that won't be obscured by our packs. Happy Geocaching everyone.

I've sent you an e-mail Steve (Ariwa). I'm not sure if Tony and Steve would want their e-mail addresses posted in here

Any progress on dates???

Ah yes, but if they have to pay, then I simply refer them to Steve and Tony to buy a GPS12 at a sharp price (they purchase & import 2nd hand units). The problem is, our target audience (in my opinion) should be families, and most simply can't afford to buy a GPS. Times are tough for families these days, the families I'm meeting tramping etc generally run really tight budgets. I'm not exactly rolling in it myself, gone are the days of secure jobs with good incomes, well around here anyway. Speaking of which, I've actually started thinking of relocating somewhere that I can earn a reasonable income and have a lifestyle too. Wishfull thinking, perhaps, but I can only hope.

Pleased to see Klaymen got to Christophers Wet Feet ok, and enjoyed the crossings. Can't say I enjoy wet feet and slippery rocks that much myself, but hey, life would be pretty darn boring if we were all the same now wouldn't it? It's really good to see the cache count in NZ climbing, it looks like everyone is going to have a great summer, hopefully I'll be able to afford to put some in rather than be tempted to just chase new ones (not that I'd be complaining, but of course it's only fair I put some in as well). As of yet, no-one has made any suggestions of areas they are aware of that are deserving of a cache. I'm not suggesting you give away locations in your area, the idea is to get a few in places that are lacking. Obvious areas I'd like to see a cache or two appear is Gisborne, Napier & Hastings for the moment, a few in the Waikato wouldn't go astray either. Trouble is, I don't know the Gisborne, Napier & Hastings areas. Lake Waikaremoana is planned as its a great spot that so few know about. One thing I will say is a lot of others have placed caches in locations I was considering. Thats a good sign, we must think alike. Perhaps someone could help out with ideas for new caches in areas lacking, so others who aren't familiar with the area might consider placing caches there. I'm terrible, I try to introduce people to geocaching every chance I get, now I'm wanting to fill in the gaps in the NZ Map. Now if I could just find a source of free GPS units to give away to get families past that purchase hurdle... Sponser wanted

Well, I jokingly said weeks ago in e-mail to Gavin that he might beat the Geocaching gear back to NZ, at this stage it looks likely to happen. Gavin arrives back from his big OE tommorrow, and this morning there was still no sign of the geocaching gear in my PO Box. Thats 7 1/2 weeks so far and no delivery. Not good odds if I do say so myself. Unfortunately some parts I need for repairing a peice of equipment have just been dispatched by US International Mail, not my favourite method of forwarding, but the only one available from that particular supplier. I'm hoping like crazy that this order won't take as long as the geocaching gear has. Maybe the gear might turn up in time for Christmas presents perhaps? I'm checking the PO Box a lot more regularly in anticipation now. Surely it can't be much longer, I wonder if my parts will arrive first?

Yes, well hopefully it's back for good this time. I now know not to use back when deleting, so hopefully there won't be a repeat of it. I've also passed my learning curve on to Gavin, so he hopefully won't make the same mistake I did. Sorry about that

Well, What can I say, the Christophers wet fet cache will fit the bill nicely, I'm just waiting to see who will be the first to hit it. Oh, and the blisters weren't from the wet feet, it was from doing Frequency City and Lake View after my feet had been wet for several hours. More coming when I find the time

I'm just sorry that my suppliers supllier was out of stock and it took so long. You might have noticed that my supplier fitted a code sticker onto them. They now carry them in stock, and I also have a small stock of them. So next time, no delays all going well I'm pleased it's all worked out ok.

Hi Steve, Glenn left for England on the 2nd of March 2002. That's all I know sorry. Gavin and I took on the role of moderator when he left. Always sorry to loose a Geocacher.

Well, what can I say Steve (Ariwa), hitting caches in quantity requires planning and persistance. I've had run ins with the police, had my car tampered with, and nearly got lost in the dark (actually had to use my GPS to get out ) whilst trying to get just one more cache in before retiring for the day. As for how I heard about Geocaching, it was in an Electronics magazine, Electronics Australia initially, but that didn't motivate me, it was a second article in Silicon Chip that got my attention, but not immediately. After my first attempt I was hooked (Thanks Kerry & Christine (Elfclan)). As there were very few caches in my area at the time I rapidly put in quite a few, and things have just got better from there. Oh, and yes, I do remember the comments in here from Nick re his wanting a GPS and the message saying his lovely wife had gone out and bought him one (to shut him up??? ). So is that how you get what you want from your wife, the constant badgering technique, must remember that, I've always just gone and bought it, maybe thats why I'm single again .

Well it has been one year today since my first Geocache find. I've averaged over one geocache found per week and placed more than one geocache for every month since then, so I suppose thats pretty darn good if I do say so myself. For all of you assisting in making this sport possible, Thank You. It's grown a lot since then, I think there was about 80 caches back then and now we are getting close to 230 here in NZ. I'm planning on placing more as time permits, unfortunately I'm a bit busy at present, but will as soon as I can afford the time. Also planned are some trips. I intitially was planning some trips to visit more existing caches, but am now thinking I might instead try to fill in some of the areas of NZ that are lacking caches. Lets see how we can progress Geocaching over the next year. Perhaps we could discuss areas that are missing caches, and if anyone knows an area worth putting a cache in one of those barren areas. Then perhaps someone might be in a position to place a cache and fill in some of the areas of NZ that are lacking caches. Thoughts everyone, all feedback welcome Thanks.

Yay, they finally arrived late this morning. I've already forwarded on the two Tony wanted. I'm assuming Gavin will still want one when he arrives back in NZ, and I have a few spare (I got a few spares), if anyone requires one simply give me an e-mail on tgsnoopy at xtra dot co dot nz