Rockratgirl

Moss - I have an even better suggestion for the North Meet Up - put Steve in some stocks! The dogs and kid are even more trouble - just watch out! Kennamatic - I replied and I don't have the ears for stereo! Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

Good luck with that work then Kennamatic! The food conversion I mean - I used to live in Headingley and love caching in the West Yorks area. I was born in East Anglia, have Yank parentage, was raised in France and am therefore entirely without nationality! Having a separate Avatar would be a good idea - can I do that? My other half suffers from a personality disorder discribed by Karl Gustaf Jung as "the Che Guevara complex". This condition is mainly kept under control by my other half, in so far as he doesn't travel the world inciting revolution. But nevertheless if he perceives an oppressor vs. the oppressed situation the personality disorder will kick in. Makes for confrontations daily but he drives me to the caches and cooks a mean curry so I put up with it PS. Sorry this is so far off post Moss - and I "presumed" you were the rep for "oop North" as you were the closest to here. It was our understanding that only people with local knowledge approved caches etc. Wrong! I'm still learning (eagerly!). Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

It really wasn't meant as a dig Seasider. I didn't think there were many UK "locationless" caches when I first looked through the list but we intend to complete one as soon as we can. Then we will have the full spectrum of micro, virtual, regular, multi & locationless. Any more classifications I have missed out? Off topic a little - Seasider - we'll be heading your way soon to take a good friend caching. She collected a TB in the US when she was visiting friends and wants to leave it in a cache nearby in the UK. As she is partially sighted she has asked us to help out. Looking forward to some Lancashire caches next month! Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

Moss - I come in peace! All my posts are to be read with the good humour and calm state of mind I try to enjoy of an evening. I issue no threats and have no desire to be contraversial. Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

Welcome and I'm so glad you're enjoying this sport. I can highly recommend this cache - http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=56644 which is in West Yorkshire. I'm unsure of your area but I've recently placed a wheelchair friendly microcache in South Yorkshire. I think your suggestions are great and for one, am off to make a note on my own cache that it is in fact wheelchair friendly. I hope your wife and yourself enjoy this sport, it has much to offer. Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

Moss - it was a good-humoured joke - not referring to anything. Before my son was born I worked in law so please don't lets get legal, it makes me all shaky! Sam LLB ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

quote:Originally posted by Moss Trooper: After the damage you have done I think keeping quiet would seem to be the sencible thing.. Especially on this thread.. And as for local rep.. I represent Moss trooper.. no one else.. I resigned.. remember.. through your stupidity.. and my exasperation at trying to get the best out of something I have been a part of for 2 years against your 2 weeks Moss the Boss... Sorta Excuse me? My stupidity? You represented the North I presume. My fiance made comments which upset a small amount of people (the majority being in the South) on here. Is this reason enough to throw the towel in? Still confused (but continuing with Geocaching despite the fuss) Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

Thats on my watch list (with the other 150 items!). Hoping to visit Holy Island again in the summer, last time we were up there we hopped over the border and sampled some fine fare (fish & chips!). The other half's Scottish victory was to eat deep-fried pizza in Glasgow. And enjoy it. I was disappointed to see that a cache on Holy Island had been destroyed. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=11219 I'm in desperate need of a good climbing fix - not done the Nevis in 5 years now Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

I have no idea of the post to which you are referring but I'm sickened that anyone would post anything offending British troops in any way. I expect you are my "local" rep, despite the 100 odd miles between us. I am unsure as to why you feel the need to resign. Just because there has been some heated discussion on an internet forum, is this a reason to throw the towel in? *confused* Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

Grrrr! Being an Ozzy fan, I can't believe I didn't work it out! I actually thought it was Mork from Mork & Mindy (non)fame! *hangs head in shame* As a half yank, born in East Anglia, raised in France - currently living in Yorkshire - can I just be Scottish?! Sounds like life is easier up there - oh and theres more stuff to climb too! Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

No, I am female and am able to use a GPS, the internet and have a opinion. *gasp* PS. Many, many thanks for all the supportive emails I have received from the "silent majority". I am aware that my fiance has unwittingly upset people, so I appreciate the time which has been taken to communicate with me. Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

Hi there and welcome aboard! I got my Magellan 315 from Ebay and have been delighted with it thus far. Only advice I would offer (not being a map user!) is to tread carefully on the message boards. Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

I absolutely agree. No need for phoney associations or petty whinges. Get out in that countryside and have fun! BTW when I started off in Geocaching I read the US forums. Hmmm! Sam ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

Another Female Geocacher here. Right after Xmas I announced that I was getting a GPS as I wanted to get out into the wilds again and "do Geocaching". My fiance looked at me with the "OK darling, you are normal and that is a good idea" incredulous look he often gives me. On our very first cache he announced "I love this crazy thing you have got me into"!!! And I've got my pets & child addicted too! ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

maybe its from, 'like a cache out of hell'??? ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

steve says: thanks for your comments. on the subject of is it meatloaf? i don't know, but if it is then i'm deeply embarrassed!!! ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

steve from rockratgirl: to the countryside manager, hcc. i really do apologies that you have been caught up in this squabble. however i hope you will appreciate that these boards are for members to discuss the sport of geocaching. as i am sure you are aware there is much disagreement as to changes proposed to this game which is causing much anxiety amongst members. though i believe rather than see this as a negative, it should be viewed as concerned people voicing there opinions in the appropriate place. furthermore, i do believe that the vast majority of geocachers are responsible visitors to the country. hunting a plastic box just adds spice to a nice walk! therefore please don't view us negatively because we don't always agree. yours sincerly, steve ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

steve from rockratgirl: in the posting i am going to explain my beliefs and motivations. some people are not going to like some thing i say, so here is a good place to post those feelings. right, firstly GAGB was flawed. i have roughly worked out that it had the support of 5% of members of geocaching. how could it claim to be a representation of geocachers in the uk? i have pointed out elsewhere how seriously this would have been taken by local authorities. secondly, with good conscience i can say that i take no responsibility for anybodies resignations. there is much anxiety within the group and with me as to who will take the administrative reins. however, i cannot control others actions. how others respond to anything i have to say is out of my control. thirdly, this is a discussion forum. i do not believe myself to have been offensive or abusive. i have put forwards my opinions strongly and with passion. if i cause offence i will apologies. if someone takes offence then it is their lookout. i also believe that others have been less than well behaved towards myself and my fiance sam. some of the postings have been histrionic, condescending and vastly out of proportion. some people really do need to get a sense of proportion. lastly, i am genuinely pleased to see that an open debate has been fostered over the possibility of future associations of geocachers. these in future will have to be careful to not repeat the mistakes of GAGB. being, imho, having a far too narrow base of support and not attracting the interest of the vast 'silent majority'. so, if people agree then please post. if people don't, then i'll be happy to listen. if anybody still needs a scapegoat, then feel free to post here aswell. i am very thick skinned. ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

Perhaps luckily for all, the team which makes up Rockratgirl (2 dodgy looking adults, a child & 2 very strange dogs), have never bumped into anyone else. We have seen Geocaching "suspects" but never said anything. If anyone ever sees us - please feel free to say hello! Despite all the evidence to the contrary, none of us bite! ~ Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own Canoe ~ ~ We can't run away for ever ... but theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start ~

quote:I believe Rocratgirl and Icenians both owe Phil Allen (the country side manager at HCC) an apology for the way in which they have spoken to him. This gentleman has come to our forum and has been treated with nothing but contempt and rudeness. This in my opinion is no way to speak to someone from outside our community and is no way for adults to carry on a debate. As a Hampshire resident who was about to seek permission to hide a new cache, I am annoyed to find that neither Rockrategirl nor Icenians live in the Hampshire area. I ask everyone to show a lot more respect and courtesy to others, especially those parties outside the community. Steve from Rockratgirl (note that spelling!): On the subject of an apology - if I caused offence by being abusive or obnoxious then I apologise. However, I do not believe I have been. Anyone who finds my opinions objectionable will have to live with that, they are my opinions posted on a discussion forum. On the subject of the posting from HCC - I find it incredible that a civil servant would suggest to a community group that they should vote a particular way on an issue. I have some knowledge and experience in this area. I have a degree in politics and have worked in local politics in Leicester. In fact, for him to do so is unconstitutional. Furthermore, I find it hard to believe that a County Council would take the GAGB to be representative of Geocachers with such a poor mandate. In Leicester, great problems have been caused by listening to self-appointed community groups which claim to be representative but in fact are not. The 50 or so votes for T&J out of nearly 1900 members, in effect is a vote of no confidence. I think there needs to be an open discussion on any future associations of Geocachers in this country. A democratic mandate needs to be achieved before they present themselves as representative. As a personal belief, I think this association, if it exists at all, should be limited in scope and power. Decisions over caches are best made at a local level. Attempts to regulate Geocaching in my opinion, will ruin the spontanity of the game. It is incredibly difficult to legislate for every eventuality and likelihood. Lastly, I would like people to note whether it is in fact myself who is speaking or my fiance Sam. Therefore, any comments, criticism, discussion is welcomed as long as it is addressed to me.

quote:Originally posted by Mudplugger:Those Opposed The GAGB (or whatever it will eventually be called) has to happen. It is unreasonable to assume that Landowners will want to deal with numerous individuals on the subject of placing caches. Like it or not these bodies are happier dealing with one designated local person who abides by formal transparent guidelines of a National Committee. <snip> How can you explain that many people have already or are currently in negotiations with local landowners/Councils? Why can those of us happy to do this not continue? This is how Geocaching was intended. Not subsidiary groups for this, that and the other. I really need to step away though as it has been commented that I know not what I speak of.

Steve from Rockratgirl: The principle of subsidiarity: Is that all decisions are made at the lowest relevant level. IE. in the European Union for instance, the Channel Tunnel would have Europe-wide implications and therefore would be a matter for the Council of Ministers (the highest body in the EU). A new bus shelter on Thingy Road in Smallville would be a matter for the local council. Therefore, the placing of a local cache isn't a matter for a regional body representing (or imposed upon) Geocachers, but rather the local Cachers & the local landowner. Why the bureaucracy of National permission when the job can be done and permission received at a local level as it has been done before. If it ain't broke, why fix it? ~ Plastic for the People ~

With all due respect, the HCC person does not speak for all landowners. We are all capable, if we wish, to follow Geocaching.com regulations and seek approval from relevant landowners/organisations with regard to placing/maintaining caches. Geocachers have successfully done this, and continue to do this, without an Association who proposes to take this element of the sport away from us. And it is not a simple case of joining or not joining = if this goes ahead then regular Geocachers won't be able to place caches in areas they know and with the approval of landowners who understand the local people. ~ Plastic to the People ~

Great replies! There is a cache in West Yorkshire where a farmer yells at Geocacher's for parking their cars on his road. Its not a private road, he just don't like it! Oh and for the record, I don't have a problem with anyone who has a constructive reply. I suspect team Rockratgirl has upset people via other posts and is attracting too much attention to the rodents within! Glad to see you're not deterred Hammack - you've visited a cache this weekend which is on my watch list.

Steve from Rockratgirl: I'm sorry to hear that you feel all your hard work has been for nothing. But sometimes you have to ask yourself whether you are really working in everyone's best interests. Perhaps the "vocal but small group" was actually speaking for far more Geocachers than the Association realised. Lastly, I hope you can find a way of contributing to Geocaching, which you will find satisfying, but which does not contravene the wishes of others. Best of luck.