I did a similar thing: walked for miles (no car) down country lanes and along a very pebbly beach to get onto the cliff path. Had to put the Geko in my jeans pocket (it was only its second ever trip out with me) so that I could work my way across a gap by holding on to the fence. It was a really hot day in July this year and the sun was beating down on my head. Needed lunch and a drink of water but wanted to reach the cache site so kept going. Finally got to the edge of the field and over the stile, the cache was in my sights. then realised I had no Geko to home in on it - it had fallen out of my pocket.
By this time I was near to collapse. Had to walk all the way back and retrace my steps. Nothing.. I was devasatated! Decided to go back and do the cache anyway and have some lunch and a drink. as I walked back along the top of the path I decided to poke around in the long grass with my stick, and I hit on a black thing. Given that my Geko is bright green I was not that bothered, until it rolled over.. bingo!
Like you, I now always return the Geko to the bumbag and zip it tight! I am looking for some hologram tape to put on the back, just in case. I have no insurance so it's very precious.
As soon as I learned how to do it, I put my contact details on the start up page. No reason for anyone to keep it then.
Glad to hear that the original lost GPS was returned.
