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TheBrofessor

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Everything posted by TheBrofessor

  1. Thanks for your advice guys, i don't wanna try and help but in fact upset the CO in the process. As I see from your posts it largely depends on the CO. Il see what my local COs say if I ever come across an issue like this again. Thanks once again
  2. Yesterday I happened to meet a local cacher, this lady is probably at least 3 times my age, she has been doing this for a long time now (her word not mine), and after a lengthy conversation I began to asker her a few questions. One of the questions that I asked was what to do when you come across a cache that is in poor condition. She replied that she wasn't sure what to do and she leaved them as she finds them. However she went on to say that this is rather common. Log books being soaked, containers damaged, contents missing. Now because she wasn't able to answer my question I am hoping that you guys will be able to help. If I come across a cache that is damaged or the long book is soaked what is the right way of doing it. Do i just log it as need maintenance or would it be acceptable for me to put in a new log book, dry the contents and generally clean it up as much as I can? Is is ok to change a container if it is broken? Would the owner of the cache be annoyed if you put in a new log book or is that ok? Maybe changing the container is a little too much but most caches that I have found have been wet, should I just place them in a zip lock bag and sent a need maintenance message? Thanks for your help in advance guys.
  3. Guys thank you all very much for all of your input, it is greatly appreciated. Im very pleased that all of you have taken the time to write such detail posts and express your opinions. It gives me great ideas that I will work on and design to put in to practice. Reading all of you posts I have learned a lot, and you have all made me realise that the hard work and the hours that I am putting into planning and designing the caches will be appreciated by those who seek and find them. Furthermore I am also starting to see why people are hiding caches in unattractive areas, they are good for a quick fix as Oxford Stone said and I am now beginning to realise this. As this really gets addictive. On my way home from the gym today I had to get my "fix" for today, so naturally I chose a longggg route that enabled me to find 3 caches. Just to get more of an idea and understanding of these quick caches. Now I must say I visited all 3 areas, however in all 3 areas there were too many moggles congregating and drinking so I will have to return tomorrow. All 3 of the caches were in rather puzzling areas, one in particular was hidden under a pedestrian bride used to cross a busy motorway, now literarily about 400 metres down the road there is a lovely little bit of forrest with a small stream running through it. Would have been a much better placement I believe. At first I thought maybe this cache was hidden to be disabled friendly, however the actual location of the cache is not accessible to wheelchair users. So I am a little puzzles as to why this person would hide it under the bridge rather then in the forest. Furthermore that piece of forest is the last standing in the area that once used to be covered in forestry, now there must be a good story as to why that piece is the last to be standing. Maybe bring people there and tell them the story and teach them about why this piece of forest is still standing. Also redsox_mark you have given me a lot to think about, and that is a reat way of putting it. Thank you very much for that. Having said this I have drawn up a list of around 50 urban caches that I want to go and find, to try and understand why people hide them there, maybe I am missing something. As I have said in my previous posts I want to learn as much as i can, plan and design caches that people will enjoy. So once again guys I just want to thank all of you for all of your input, because each and every post teaches me something new, makes me reconsider my previous thoughts or gives me a great idea. Its also nice to see that the community is rather helpful and I am glad to be a part of it.
  4. I've never heard of anyone that didn't enjoy a quality cache. I definitely encourage you to do it the way you want to and produce caches you are proud of. You will be much appreciated. Having said that, it turns out that, as you have guessed, geocaching is mostly about the cache these days, despite the famous quote to the contrary. There are lots of reasons for that, but none of those reasons diminish the value of high quality caches that stand out from all the average. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that because the average is fairly easy and mundane, high quality caches shine all the brighter. I guess well see what people think of them when they are up in a few months. Still lots to learn and plan before hiding my first cache. Hope people enjoy them as much as im gonna enjoy making them. Thanks
  5. I like how you are taking the time to express your opinions in detail on here.. much appreciated. So i guess it deserves an in detail response. The number of caches I have found may be minuscule compared to yours, however having looked at the areas around me It doent take long to recognise a pattern. And seeing as you have done the research it to my caches maybe you should have read the responses that I have left too.. In a number of them I state that having lived not too far away from the area i never knew about those places. And I thank the creator of the cache for bringing me there. I appreciate them sharing the views and surroundings with me. None of those were 5 minutes in a car for me. I had walked to get all of those, and the quickest one took over 3 hours. So I wouldnt judge without knowing the details. Just because they are easily accessible from a road does not mean that i drove there. One of the main reasons i started Geocaching was to solve puzzles, get my brain firing and go for long walks. Cardio is very important to me, as is challenging my self. As far as your snobbery comment goes... I live in those "ghettos" I was brought up in areas just like that, and i know for a fact there is not much nice to see there. So why bring people there when there is a vast amount of unspoiled nature out there to be discovered. i dont know if you can understand what I am trying to say by this, but I really think that those caches could be better placed. As far the the cache under the M25 goes, not sure if you have done that one your self, however this is a perfect example of what I am saying... There is nothing there. A urine soaked tunnel, full of rats and overgrown bushes... Not exactly ideal. However the other in the serious were fun and offered great views and scenery. Looking at the sorts of caches you have found it really dont think you understand what I am trying to express here. Talking about basics.... Maybe re read the guidelines yourself... "When you go to hide a geocache, think of the reason you are bringing people to that spot. If the only reason is for the geocache, then find a better spot." That is according to the guidelines one of the first things to think about... As you may see from previous posts no one is judging people who seek quick and easy caches, I just want to be different to those. I want to challenge people like I would like to be challenged my self. And as I said in my previous post its not the number of caches its the quality of caches. So I have no problem with a 20 mile walk for a top notch cache. Does that mean that that is all I will seek? No of coarse not, however i would like to have the option of difficulty levels. not just micros with just log books. Either way thanks for your advice Im sure it will come in handy one day.
  6. Whilst I agree with the general sentiments, it comes across as a bit harsh - no one has stated they are in any way better, just that there appear to be many more examples that juat seem to be there because there is a space?I tend to agree that there are several in places I don't consider to be in the 'spirit' of the game, however there is a very useful tool to deal with them - the ignore button. I've used it several times for some in our City. My personal favourites are those that take me for a walk around a rural or countryside location, whether they are a series or just several I can link together - so the OPs plans would suit me. Totally agree with you on this one. A nice rural walk and a few caches sounds perfect. It doesnt have to be 1 cache in 20 miles but it donsnt have to be 70 caches in 2 miles eather. And the ignore button sounds like a good idea.
  7. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone enjoys the hobby differently, however this post was started to find people who dont lack the imagination and the effort required to create something new and exciting. If you do not agree with what I have said, or my views then that is fine. We cant all agree on everything. Im just saying that from my point of view I find certain caches boring and unnecessary. Once again thats just my opinion and no need for you to get upset over it. I welcome peoples feedback on the matter and value their opinions but seems to me that you took the above posts a little personally. And if you are one of those people that are happy to go to Tesco car park to find a cache, then that is obviously your choice. Some people just care about the number or caches other care about the quality of them. Each to their own I suppose.
  8. I thought that caches had to be placed for the long run? And not a temporary ones that are likely to be destroyed? Or am i wrong? I believe they will be placed to remain the guideline 6 months in situ or greater. What i'm not so convinced about is that they will be of the quality this thread is intimating we desire or that we need such placements being made, merely to effect ease of achieving a challenge. I suppose every one gets something different from this hobby, and if people want to hide and seek caches like that, then that is up to them. For me i would much rather spend a whole day hiking and challenging my self and get 1 cache instead of taking a quick stroll and finding 20. But again i suppose its down to the individual and what they want to achieve. Having said this, how long before the majority of the caches become way too easy and way too simple. Referring back to the 35mm containers., taking you to shop car parks and run down modern "ghettos" where there really isnt much nice to see. Id hate to see the hobby turn into this. I do admit, it is nice to have different difficulty levels so people with kids and stuff can also enjoy them, however there is no reason why you cant have easily accessible caches that are still fun, by challenging people with puzzles and such. Bringing people to areas where they might learn something (especially the kids) and getting them to think more about our history, heritage and geography that surrounds us. I really hope that I am not alone in thinking this, and so far from the positive comments on here I can say that there are people that share my kind of enthusiasm about the matter. And I hope that there are still people out there who are willing to push the boundaries and get creative.
  9. For all you know you have introduced him to a life time of fun?
  10. I thought that caches had to be placed for the long run? And not a temporary ones that are likely to be destroyed? Or am i wrong?
  11. I dont thing that placing a cache should just be for the sakes of it, and someone like you with that much experiences knows what makes a good cache. I lack the experience however I look at realistically. Would I want to be brought to this location? Is it worth the treck? Am I going to learn something from it? And am i going to enjoy my self whilst doing it. Even once you find the cache i plan on making it a little more exciting then just a container with a log book. All well stocked containers that require you to sold puzzles before you get inside them. Im still in the early planning stages when I have some drawings and stuff il post them and see what you guys think of it.
  12. I fully agree, and I do something practical about it, visit http://www.amberel.com/topcache.htm if interested. Who knows, if they are somewhere I get to, and they are good enough ... Rgds, Andy Wow those are really interesting.. Im impressed, nice to know someone is willing to go to all that effort to make them. Well done
  13. Seems like a lot of people have the same opinions on the matter as me.. Its not just about placing a random cache in a random place just for the sakes of it. It more to do with the actual location and bringing people to a certain destination and getting them to experience the beauty of a spot.
  14. See to me this makes a lot of sense. As i want to bring people to areas that are not usually explored and show people something interesting, something educational and fun. The areas that I have in mind are all steeped in history and have some amazing views of the local area, however they are not visited much due to lack or footpaths and the fact they are not the easiest to get to. But Im sure terrain wont stop any keep cacher
  15. Thanks for all of your feedback guys, I really want to do this right so that people can really enjoy it and not just make it another cache out there. So il spend as long as it takes to get it spot on and make it enjoyable for people. Also I have to think about how many caches I can maintain once I place them. So lots to think about Once again guys thanks for your comments.
  16. Now Im still very new to this... very very new.. But I thought a major part of Geocaching is to bring you to an area of natural beauty or some kind of significance? Or am I mistaken. Iv been studying maps of my local area, and looking at where some of these caches are hidden, and it is a little strange. They are in the middle of council estates, in the middle of every day normal housing estates, roads and even shopping centre car parks. Now the only reason I ask is I wanna do as much research on the subject before hiding my own. I have spend the last couple of days designing some containers and stuff and I want to make It a little more interesting rather then a 35mm container in Tesco car park. I just wonder if people ever get the feeling that the caches are sometimes placed in certain places just for the hell of it or am I missing something. There is a vast woodland area around me that has 0, yeah that right 0 caches in it. I have spoken to the owner of the property and asked him about hiding some in the woods and making sort of a trail from it, and he was more than happy to let me do so. However I want to get the confirmation in writing from him first and make sure that he is the land owner like he claims to be before I take it any further. I think it will be a matter of months before all my containers/puzzles are finished and before I have selected a route that I believe offers areas of natural beauty. So at this stage I guess I am just asking for your opinion and what you guys think makes a good cache? Do you think people would appreciate the effort and time I spend designing all this or would it just be another cache and maybe I should just let the guys get on with it that seem to be hiding them in rather strange areas? Either way your views are welcome Thank you all in advance. TheBrofessor
  17. Both taken on a hunt for The Green Thing GC3C02K Not sure how to make the images larger so you will have to click to make them bigger. I hope this is ok. The view from GZ at The Green Thing Summer in full bloom on the way to The Green Thing
  18. The only reason im thinking its missing is because I have found the magnet that i believe was holding the micro but the resto of the cache is gone? Maybe its just a coincidence. And thanks for the heads up about the mac.
  19. Thanks a lot for that information. Gives me something to think about. One question tho, How are the GPS systems to use with Mac? Are they supported by the GPS software?
  20. I think all the UK Geocaching groups I've joined are closed groups, but that's just to keep out spammers trying to sell handbags/trainers etc. Just send a request to join and you should be let in straight away. The next London Event is http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=0f8363b1-93ec-49f5-be72-1d046a8186bb which is at the "Dogget's Coat and Badge" on the Thames at the Southern end of Blackfriars Bridge. They usually kick off from 17:00, until the last stragglers get booted out by the Landlord ;-) I'll be there as well as Pja_cz. Just look for a loosely grouped bunch of people hanging around chatting, I would expect there to be in the region of 30 attendees but they tend to come and go through the evening however there's usually a core of at least a dozen at any one time, also there will usually be a table with a pile of Travel Bug on it close by. The plan is to be in the garden at the back if it's nice or somewhere inside if not. Don't do what I did last time we had an event there and turn up the day before 'cos it's a large pub on about 4 floors and I was wandering around for ages looking for everybody before I eventually realised what I'd done and just settled down for a pint on my own :-( Iv added it to my diary, so as long as I dont get called in to work I shall be there to meet a few of you guys. And il make sure to have the right date Also the GPS advice sounds good, its best to see it in person and see what people think of it before committing to the purchase. Thanks
  21. Seaglass Pirates - Thank you very much for the in depth answer, it has cleared up a lot of confusion. Much appreciated. Pja_cz - im off work that day so hopefully Il see you down there. Any more info on where and what time? The Blorenges - Will check it out and send a request. Thanks mellers - Thanks for your help too. MartyBartfast - Is the London group a closed one too? Im really surprised by the amount of responses and how quick you guys have wrote then. Thank you all very much. I was expecting it to be rather quiet in this part of the world as it doesn't seem to be as big as it is the USA or elsehwere. But guess I was wrong. Anyone have any suggestions or recommendations on where is a good place to shop for a GPS? If you have please drop me a pm. Thanks all once again.
  22. Thanks for your advise guys. Just wanted to make sure I have the right equipment before I attempt my first hide. i see now that a dedicated GPS would be more accurate. Wasn't sure how accurate the iPhone would be on things like that. Once again thanks
  23. Hi guys, I discovered the whole concept a few years ago from watching David DeFranco videos online. However I never managed to actually got into this properly as my first catch back then was an urban one and not a very good one at that. Since then I have re descovered geocaching. Today was my first day out in the wild doing it... and it was a hell of a lot of fun. Really enjoyed my self, managed to see amazing scenory and wildlife that was on my doorstep that I had never discovered previously. I can see my self getting really addicted to this. Its a lot of fun and a great way to keep fit as well. Now on to the questions... First one being what is the best way to let a member know that the catche that they have hidden is missing or damaged? Second how big is the community in London and Essex? And lastly how accurate is the iPhone when it comes to posting cords for hides? Thanks TheBrofessor
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