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Where are the newbies?


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I look at the stats and think .... hmmmmm .... looks like the 'usual suspects' are ratcheting up the finds and postings. Where are newbies to tell us we've screwed up the coordinates, lied about our DNFs, hoarded the geocoins, emptied the tupperware and become so geeky that a PhD is needed to decypher?

 

Are you recent to this 'geo-disease'?

 

Tell us how you caught it!

 

Tell us 'oldies' if there is any prospect of a cure!

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....................................and become so geeky that a PhD is needed to decypher?..........................

Sounds about right, I don't have a PhD and I couldn't even help an old lag the other week solve a puzzle cache that I had already done!!!! :laughing:<_<

 

Just goes to show that I needed help to solve it myself! <_<

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I caught the bug fairly recently, but I don't think there is a cure even in these early stages :laughing:

 

First heard about geocaching from a work mate who played in summer 2004 but I didn't dream of splashing out on my own GPS at that point. Late last year I mentioned it to a friend and she bought her GPS and was out caching immediately, so I thought I'd better get off my bum and find these little tupperware treasures myself.

 

So far i've recruited people in Liverpool, Glasgow and Brighton. None of whom have their own GPS so i'm getting more invites to visit than ever before. But I know it isn't me they love. It is my little yellow machine <_<

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Tried Geocheing about a year ago with a pocket pc (inbuilt gps). Didn't have any luck finding the caches near me. Put this down to the software I was using and the pocket pc. Recently saw an Etrex with cable for £80 new so decided to go the more traditional way. Haven't looked back since. So in answer to your question, us newbies are out there, but a bit shy in case we make an arse of ourselves.

All the best Wayne

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Well I'm fairly new, I got into this malarky via another website. I was looking for some information about my little yellow box on the Garmin website when I followed the link here!

I was hooked immediatley. I had posted on here a couple of months back but dropped off a little whilst other commitments took hold. However I am back again with a headful of ideas for new containers and locations to stash them!

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Another newbie here. This is my first post on the forums, and we have racked up 11 finds and one DNF in a little over three weeks. I heard about the bug though a business associate. He spoke on his website about geocaching, being curious I followed the link and was hooked from the first minute. My kids love it, the wife was a bit sceptical at first bu now she's got the bug. I purchased a Garmin GPS from Amazon before even trying because I knew I would love it. I have lived on the edge of the New Forest nearly all my life - and have only ever explored a small fraction of it. Thats all gonna change now I'm chasing the Cache. If anyone can give me any pointers towards "You want it, You've got it" by Fluffys Revenge I would appreciate it. I've looked at it and REALLY don't understand, maybe I just dont have the correct Geocaching brain............YET!!!!

 

:D:D:D

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Hi all we're newbies too, got introduced to geocaching by a friend on the local "freecycle" network and haven't looked back since! My children think I've gone "Geonuts" and are arranging a holiday for me at a place where the wallpaper is all soft and squisshy! :D:D:D Don't think it'll work though.....bout midday I get itchy feet and reach for my little yellow buddy! We have racked up 45 finds since the 20/2/07 and I have lost half a stone! The "Georats" :D really enjoy it too it's all I can do to stop them from tipping out the whole cache the minute we find it and blasting our location on the noisiest piece of "Geoswag" they can find! :D Look forward to chatting with you all more Minxyy, 'princessannie', 'lectroboy', 'bugboy' and Cariad

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I heard about it on the travel channel about a month ago. I want to try it as soon as I saw it but I didn't have a GPS. Lucky for me my birthday was coming up, my girlfriend got me a Garmin 60Cx. I got on April the 8th we did a few then I told some friends about it and they got hooked. My buddy just got his girlfriend to buy him a Garmin on Friday. We go every chance we get.

 

Team Ballin'

myspace.com/geocacheteamballin

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We feel like newbies :D , even though we did our first cache back in 2003.

 

We were very slow starters, due to the fact that in 2003 UK caches were very few and far between (from memory), we didn't own a GPS, and we had a few DNFs in a row :D (we even attempted one cache without a GPS/map or anything - not surprising we couldn't find it! :D). Also, the technologies available in 2003 were not as good as today (google earth etc..).

 

We've suddenly taken it up properly this year, firstly using OS maps only, and about 6 weeks ago we finally bought a GPS (Garmin eTrex Legend).

 

Since buying the GPS we've found 36 caches and 14 trackables; we have created 4 caches and sent 3 TBs on their way. We now have plans to leave more caches of all sizes and complexity, and yesterday we ordered some neodymium magnets (50 for £3.00) for some local microcaches (probably not 50 though!).

 

I've definately got the bug now though. When walking to work this morning I found myself looking for all the nooks and crannies that might make a good caching location! :D

 

We should have 50 cache finds within the week.......

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Well, I'm not addicted yet but I have a good idea that I will be. Even though a little off topic what better way of popping my forum virginity by telling why the last 4 days have had me doing bugger all else apart from researching / buying my first GPSr and browsing caching websites:

 

I am in the Royal Navy, currently serving in HMS EDINBURGH. On the 15th of April we left Grytvyken, South Georgia (wonderful place if you ever have the good fortune to travel too) to sail around to Stromness and then back to the Falkland Islands.

 

As we picked up the pick I decided to to a web search for Grytvyken to waste some time. I was pleasently suprised to see a web entry from geocaching.com. A few years back I looked into geocaching but couldn't justify buying a GPSr, so unfortunately put the idea to bed somewhat miffed.

 

I digress. The cache was located just by where Earnest Shakleton died many a moon ago. I could still see the approximate location of the cache from the upperdeck and was upset by the thought of missing out on probably the most remote cache in the world (please enlighten me if there is any others closer to the South pole or any other remote areas at that). It sparked my interest again and the rest, as they say is history.

 

I have searched for caches in the Falklands but cant find any. Odd I know but I may find myself placing a cache before even finding one. However, shortly we are off to Monte Video and Rio and a few other places on the way home and I have located caches that I will attempt to find.

 

The post is getting a bit long but suffice to say Mrs Trillan and Little Misses Trillan (twin girls) will enjoy following me around Dorset and beyond when I return this summer.

 

I am looking forward to caching a great deal and hopefully will add it to my list of current addictions!

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I've been a member of the site for approaching a year now, but life got in the way for a while so there's been a bit of a long gap between caches. The bug has well and truly bitten me now though and I am trying to fit in more caches although I still only have 22 at the moment.

 

I do have one problem though, on my first page of the nearest caches to me there are no less than 5 puzzle caches - none of which I currently have a clue about solving! Could people please stop placing puzzles caches so close to my house?! ;)

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I digress. The cache was located just by where Earnest Shakleton died many a moon ago. I could still see the approximate location of the cache from the upperdeck and was upset by the thought of missing out on probably the most remote cache in the world (please enlighten me if there is any others closer to the South pole or any other remote areas at that). It sparked my interest again and the rest, as they say is history.

 

Hi Trillan

 

A while ago, bored while laid up with a post-operation knee, I did a virtual tour of remote caches around the world. I can't say whether "Shackleton's Rest" is THE remotest, but I certainly remember "visiting" it. Other remote ones I remember are in Afghanistan, and up Everest.

 

There are quite a few up in the far North of Norway, but although they're very near the poles, they're not really as remote as the Grytviken one.

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I discovered Geocaching in a computer magazine. I was inityially curious and after visiting the website I found that a cache was very close to my home. I went with the co-ords and a map and hey presto... I got hooked. ;)

 

I recon there is going to be a surge of interest in the Northeast of Scotland as our local TV news did an Geocaching article called "Grampians New Craze".

 

My caching experience hasn't been without incident. I tend to do my cache hunting with my better half. On a recent hunt, I took along my brother, to help him convalesce after a recent operation.

 

When we found the cache (rather remote) the fizzy drink that we had earlier had caught up with us. So, my bro and I went to water the trees whilst my good lady kept a look out for mugglers... or so I thought. What she had done was to replace the cache. As she was returning from the trees, two dog walking mugglers approached, mid flow, all my brother could do was laugh as the look on the mugglemans face was priceless!

 

The cache wasn't compromised, however, I am glad the cache was well away from home!

Edited by Kasper316
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I look at the stats and think .... hmmmmm .... looks like the 'usual suspects' are ratcheting up the finds and postings. Where are newbies to tell us we've screwed up the coordinates, lied about our DNFs, hoarded the geocoins, emptied the tupperware and become so geeky that a PhD is needed to decypher?

 

Are you recent to this 'geo-disease'?

 

Tell us how you caught it!

 

Tell us 'oldies' if there is any prospect of a cure!

 

Hi,

I had never heard of Geocaching until late 2006 when APHOK mentioned, whilst driving, that we were close to a "cache". He allowed me to wander around hunting for it, like a lunatic and eventually pointed to the location. I was totally amazed that such things went on. I then accompanied him on several finds which were logged as APHOK and Mr B. I have now received a GPS for Xmas and have put it to good use accompanying APHOK on several finds. This week, I joined in earnest, got my own pseudonym, and look forward to many more finds, even if my wife does think I am a sad old git, it is better than watching Coronation Street, is it not?

The Laird

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I'd never heard of Geoaching until just before Christmas. I was looking for ideas of where to take our dog for a walk and came across a website http://www.mikes-walks.co.uk which had a link to a page about Geocaching. I thought it sounded fascinating and contemplated my GPS purchase over Christmas before going out and buying myself a Vista CX. I've found around 60 to date and love it - I also love the GPS as having loaded up topo gb on the gps and mapsource on the PC I can play with routes to my hearts content. THANK YOU MIKE!

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I discovered geocaching from a link on the bookcrossing site and was so sure I would enjoy it that I ordered my etrex Venture almost immediately. My husband agreed to join me and although we have only managed 12 so far, I think we are hooked for life. Friends and family are gradually showing interest and have begun to join us although some still think 'she's mad'. We are hoping this new obsession will raise our fitness levels, especially if I repeat wrong co-ordinates like today when I turned a ten minute find into a two hour walk, but we laughed and enjoyed the detour. :)

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Friends and family are gradually showing interest and have begun to join us although some still think 'she's mad.'

 

lol, I can sympathise- I asked my father-in-law (well outlaw actually, I'm not married!) to buy some items I wanted for a series of TBs :) . He got them, and then phoned me up and told me he would hide them in boxes around his house, seeing as that's what I call fun B)

They definatly think I've totally gone off my rocker

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lol, I can sympathise- I asked my father-in-law (well outlaw actually, I'm not married!) to buy some items I wanted for a series of TBs :) . He got them, and then phoned me up and told me he would hide them in boxes around his house, seeing as that's what I call fun :D

They definatly think I've totally gone off my rocker

 

You should have hid the money for said items and handed him your GPS and told him to go find B):D

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We came across geocaching when searching on info about our area.... We tried a couple that were hidden in our home town to no avail - very disappointing, however, after leaving it for a month or so, then coming back in to look again, we discovered that the two caches had been destroyed - so it wasn't just us!!!

 

We then tried another one and YIPPEE we found it (after a while!) - we have now done 6 or 7 in our local area, and we are totally hooked! We've been to some great places that we never even knew existed. We now spy on suspicious looking people in those areas in case they're geocaching nuts too!!! Don't think we've come across any though!

 

We're heading to Aberfeldy in a couple of weeks time so looking forward to searching for caches there too...

 

The only thing I would say to all those "old hands" out there - is that there are a lot of acronyms - TNLN - worked that one out, but a few others that we can't make any sense of!!!

 

Thanks whoever started this malarky!

 

Sue & Dave

better known as the Kipwitch Krew!

Edited by kipwitch
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Hoorah - 1st cache done today - my boyfriend & I headed out to NASA 5 (GC10GT3), which is less than 1/2 a mile from home. I found it, and we're hooked - planning on caching in Nottingham when we holiday there next weekend.

 

Found out about geocaching a couple of years ago through bookcrossing, but took me a while to get hooked.

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We are new and absolutely hooked. My daughter's friend told us about it and so far we've managed to find 22 (local ish and without the use of a GPS in most cases, although we borrowed one for our recent trip to Canada). We're busy saving to buy a GPS as i suspect this could grow and grow.

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We came across geocaching when searching on info about our area.... We tried a couple that were hidden in our home town to no avail - very disappointing, however, after leaving it for a month or so, then coming back in to look again, we discovered that the two caches had been destroyed - so it wasn't just us!!!

 

We then tried another one and YIPPEE we found it (after a while!) - we have now done 6 or 7 in our local area, and we are totally hooked! We've been to some great places that we never even knew existed. We now spy on suspicious looking people in those areas in case they're geocaching nuts too!!! Don't think we've come across any though!

 

We're heading to Aberfeldy in a couple of weeks time so looking forward to searching for caches there too...

 

The only thing I would say to all those "old hands" out there - is that there are a lot of acronyms - TNLN - worked that one out, but a few others that we can't make any sense of!!!

 

Thanks whoever started this malarky!

 

Sue & Dave

better known as the Kipwitch Krew!

 

Have a look at geolex for a explanation for a lot off the acronyms B)

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Hi all,

 

We were the opposite way round actually.

 

3-4 years ago I was working in Saudi Arabia and at that time, acurate navigation was prudent during periods of hightened security, and a GPS unit was standard issue in the region.

 

We were taught how to use old magellans by the military then my company issued us newer, map based Garmins and we were back to be trained in "GPS applications" by a bloke from Garmin out from the US. which involved loading up maps and keeping our way point & track lists uncluttered so we could quickly select and navigate to secure locations - It was all very serious stuff taught by a very serious chap.

 

and then....

 

One of the lads came accross Geocaching as an alternative use of the equipment .........and all thoughts of security dispaeared!! We gassed up the landcruisers and screamed around the desert looking for tupperware boxes!!

 

I'm still amazed how many caches there were in Saudi even at that time, (as usual hiden by the same dedicated people - Thanks M&M's et al)

 

We saw beautifull aspects of the country that I bet many (non caching) visitors to Saudi never see and we generaly had a balll!

 

So when the time came for me to move on from Saudi, I handed back my company issued GPS and left behind my desert mates, but it wasn't long before I realised I was missing something in life..........

 

After a brief spell back in the UK, we came out to the UAE and quickly bought a new Garmin unit, registered an account on here ourselves and started logging our finds. As a family we've logged just 17 finds since last summer so we're certainly newbies, but as you all know, once your hooked, you're hooked!

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We were very slow starters, due to the fact that in 2003 UK caches were very few and far between (from memory), we didn't own a GPS, and we had a few DNFs in a row :cool: (we even attempted one cache without a GPS/map or anything - not surprising we couldn't find it! :(). Also, the technologies available in 2003 were not as good as today (google earth etc..).

We've suddenly taken it up properly this year, firstly using OS maps only, and about 6 weeks ago we finally bought a GPS (Garmin eTrex Legend).

 

Hi, although i have found a few caches with a friends family, me and a mate have decided to go off on our own to find some more. However we definately cant afford a GPS, and we were wondering if you can use a normal map to locate them, and if so, does the coordinates they give you for a GPS work with maps. Were so confused and really hope you or anyone else can help. Please. :(

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...we definately cant afford a GPS, and we were wondering if you can use a normal map to locate them, and if so, does the coordinates they give you for a GPS work with maps. Were so confused and really hope you or anyone else can help. Please. :cool:

 

If you look at the cache pages it does give the OS grid there too, that will help you plot them on the map, but really you might have difficulty with any that are a long way from something you can see and get to on the map...

 

Try asking for a Yellow Etrex for your next birthday or Xmas, they really aren't SO expensive... hang on I've thought of something else... Email on way!

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Hi, although i have found a few caches with a friends family, me and a mate have decided to go off on our own to find some more. However we definately cant afford a GPS, and we were wondering if you can use a normal map to locate them, and if so, does the coordinates they give you for a GPS work with maps. Were so confused and really hope you or anyone else can help. Please. :cool:

Yes, it is certainly possible. When I was beginning, I personally used the satellite images from Google Maps. (There is a link to them in the middle of the cache pages)

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We were very slow starters, due to the fact that in 2003 UK caches were very few and far between (from memory), we didn't own a GPS, and we had a few DNFs in a row :( (we even attempted one cache without a GPS/map or anything - not surprising we couldn't find it! :cool:). Also, the technologies available in 2003 were not as good as today (google earth etc..).

We've suddenly taken it up properly this year, firstly using OS maps only, and about 6 weeks ago we finally bought a GPS (Garmin eTrex Legend).

 

Hi, although i have found a few caches with a friends family, me and a mate have decided to go off on our own to find some more. However we definately cant afford a GPS, and we were wondering if you can use a normal map to locate them, and if so, does the coordinates they give you for a GPS work with maps. Were so confused and really hope you or anyone else can help. Please. :(

 

If you do try caches without a GPS, you will need a basic knowledge of map-reading and of how to use the co-ordinates provided for the geocache you wish to find.

Also, depending on the scale of the map you use, you will struggle with a few caches, particularly ones that are not situated near any distinguishable feature (the middle of a forest for example!).

Now that we own and use aGPS, I think it has made the hunt a little bit too easy at times. We enjoy a challenge! :(

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Are you recent to this 'geo-disease'?

 

Tell us how you caught it!

 

Already using GPS for walking and cycling.Recently bought a Garmin GPSmap 60CSx as my poor old e-trex was playing up.Joined a yahoo group for this machine and people kept talking about geocaching,so I looked into it.One of the nearest caches to my home appeared to be in the middle of a reservoir,so I was introduced to puzzle caches.I just had to figure that one out.Then there were others to solve etc etc.

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Tell us 'oldies' if there is any prospect of a cure!

 

No Chance!

 

I started a year ago with a XDA Mini s and Holox BT-321 bluetooth gps thingy. Only did two as it was a bit hit and miss never seemed to read correctly (or was it me?!)

 

Now have the XDA orbit with built in GPS and works a dream, so much better!! Now getting into it a lot more found another today and hoping for more over the weekend, down to the national space center on sunday and will have a go at a cache. Not told the wife though! When I start walking in circles and looking under hedges, she gets this "Oh God he's off again" look in her eyes.

 

A mans got to have a hobby!

 

Mark.

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Recently bought a Garmin Venture Cx to take out walking in the hills of North Wales, found this word "Geocaching" on the spec sheet, wondered what it was all about and guess what!! - I'm hooked, not found many yet, already hate the micros! :laughing: I'm now thinking of buying a Pocket PC to store the waypoints, anyone got any recommendations? It will be a great way to find those lovely little spots on the back roads that I'm sure I would never bother to go to otherwise, I'm now beginning to see my local area in a whole new light, and there are plenty of local caches to keep me busy for quite a while :laughing:

Edited by Sheilaj0
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Hello, a newbie here! I started this hobby three days ago, and now find myself thinking all the time what to drop in the next cache, what sort of travel bug I'll release (ordered a tag yesterday) and so on. I love walking in the nature and treasure hunting makes it so exciting.

 

I do not have GPS, so started with Google Maps. It has worked well so far as I haven't been 'hunting' in the wilds yet, just in town & around.

 

Ugli Tangelo :(

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Well I started about a month ago whilst at my brothers house in Ynyslas, N 52° 31.081 W 004° 03.207 are the coordinates for my first cache. I don't have a proper Geo machine, but I do have an Edge 305 cycling computer by Garmin. It being a Garmin it naturally comes with the ability to add GPS locations into it , therefore I can navigate with it, (thanks Garmin). I then tried a few once I returned home to Bristol and from that point on I was hooked!

It's a great activity for the whole family and dog and have been to places I didn't even know existed. My stats are here http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?guid=8f...23-101a6d5c987d also check out <a href="http://www.aber-cachers.co.uk" title="Geocaching in Wales">Geocaching in Wales<br />

<img src="http://www.aber-cachers.co.uk/images/logo_banner.gif" border="0" /></a>

Plugsie.

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Well I started about a month ago whilst at my brothers house in Ynyslas, N 52° 31.081 W 004° 03.207 are the coordinates for my first cache. I don't have a proper Geo machine, but I do have an Edge 305 cycling computer by Garmin. It being a Garmin it naturally comes with the ability to add GPS locations into it , therefore I can navigate with it, (thanks Garmin). I then tried a few once I returned home to Bristol and from that point on I was hooked!

It's a great activity for the whole family and dog and have been to places I didn't even know existed. My stats are here http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?guid=8f...23-101a6d5c987d also check out www.aber-cachers.co.uk

Plugsie.

Edited by plugsie
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I received this gps unit for Christmas . I thought it would come in handy while on canoe trips in northern Canadian wilderness and maybe even buy the street navigation software for it. While perusing the manual, I briefly scanned through the Geocache features, which was completely alien to me. Just recently I read a little more into it and decided to go find a stash , which was less than a Km away. Low and behold I found this plastic box full of beanie babies lol. Now, Ive been preoccupied with this new hobby for the last 2 weeks. Even got some friends intrigued by

 

Im just curious how long it will take before I stop feeling like a bloody idiot out there searching for tupperware ??

 

What people must think seeing a grown man lurking around wooded areas near childrens parks. Better not wear the trenchcoat :blink:

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Im just curious how long it will take before I stop feeling like a bloody idiot out there searching for tupperware ??

What people must think seeing a grown man lurking around wooded areas near childrens parks. Better not wear the trenchcoat :huh:

 

Lol. :rolleyes: You made me laugh when I read that. I totally agree although I am only a teenager I still feel so stupid hunting through bushes ect, for tupperware. Trying not to show the public where im looking is also a hard task is there is always plenty of people around. Goodluck anyway.

Hollie x

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Hello! I'm new too, I hadn't heard about geocaching at all until last week when I read some messages about it on a forum I use (handbag.com - hi girls!) :rolleyes: The whole idea of it has really caught my imagination; I've bought a GPS and can't wait to get started!

 

I live in Central London but also spend a lot of time in Shropshire so I will be able to look for caches in the city and the countryside too :huh:

 

T xxx

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