+Simply Paul Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 (edited) Another extreme event! Shetland, June 2009, Dare you visit the UK's most northerly point? (Go on, you know you want to) After St Kilda (most westerly cache/event) in 2007 and St Agnes (UK's furthest south cache/event) in 2008 it was either east to Lowestoft or north to Unst in the Shetlands for an extreme event in 2009. You'll understand why I thought the Shetlands are the ones to go for! Provisional date: Saturday June 20th 2009, 2pm at Herma Ness, northern tip of Unst To do a circular tour of all the islands with a cache on them, of both Shetland and Orkney, I'll be travelling to the north of Scotland (picking up caches along the way) and crossing by ferry to Stromness, spending a couple of days caching and exploring Orkney and then catching a further ferry to Lerwick on Shetland. Another day cache-ploring and two short ferry rides (including one that's free, bizarrely) will get me to Unst for the day. As everything shuts down on Sunday -inc. ferries- I plan to be back on the 'mainland' of Shetland by Saturday evening, to spend Sunday there. I intend to sail back from Lerwick direct to Aberdeen, and then back south... More information will follow as and when I have it- especially when the event can be listed, just before Christmas! It's a piggin' long way, so I'm not expecting as many people (10 St Kilda, 9 St Agnes) will want to come, but it'd be nice to have some company, especially if a car share is possible. Edited to make a couple of points clearer Edited July 17, 2008 by Simply Paul Quote Link to comment
+Bambography Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Oh, Oh, Pick Me, Pick Me...... The tour sounds great and i'll make a note of it all ready to plan for annual leave next year. I'm also happy for a car share if I can make it! I'll add it to my diary and will see how things go in the new year!! Quote Link to comment
+PopUpPirate Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I'm gonna post a tentative, dubious WILL ATTEND on this one. I've always wanted to go the Shetlands, and looked at overnight ferries from Aberdeen to Lerwick a couple of years ago. Golf at midnight in midsummer! There's also planes to... Wick, I think? And Lerwick, too. Cracking idea SP - ya loon Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share Posted July 17, 2008 (edited) I looked at flying up as it'd be cheaper/quicker/safer, but then getting out to cache locations might be a problem. I suppose there's cycle hire or the occasional bus... There's also accommodation. I can drive with a tent in the car, and if the weather is really bad, I can sleep in the car instead. It provides power to charge caching equipment and gives a lot of freedom of movement. The flipside is if I can fit a couple of extra folk in the car it'll be cheaper per person for petrol and ferries than flying would be (I think- I need to double check my maths) Edited July 17, 2008 by Simply Paul Quote Link to comment
paganfrog Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 oh oh this has grabbed my interest. id like to do this but it is a leeetle bit to early to say whether i can make it or not. i will be watching this thread like a hawk now. Quote Link to comment
+Bambography Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 I looked at flying up as it'd be cheaper/quicker/safer, but then getting out to cache locations might be a problem. I suppose there's cycle hire or the occasional bus... There's also accommodation. I can drive with a tent in the car, and if the weather is really bad, I can sleep in the car instead. It provides power to charge caching equipment and gives a lot of freedom of movement. The flipside is if I can fit a couple of extra folk in the car it'll be cheaper per person for petrol and ferries than flying would be (I think- I need to double check my maths) I thought you were meaning Car Hire in the original post. I looked it up before and there are a Several Places in Lerwick. That doesn't however take into account the Orkneys which i'd not thought about but there are some there too. Will have to do the maths nearer the time. Quote Link to comment
+currykev Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 The ONLY direct flights are from Stansted with ATLANTIC AIRWAYS FAROE ISLANDS Fares GBP110.00 plus tax so about GBP150.00 Flights Mondays and Fridays only landing at SUMBURGH - LOCATION : 25MLS/40KMS S OF LERWICK Or BA from LHR/LGW with a plane change at Aberdeen.I'd say about GBP80.00 more, so about GBP230.00 incl taxes,but daily and various timings too. Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share Posted July 18, 2008 (edited) Option 2- Fly to Inverness from Luton (easyjet, £60 return, ish- they're only giving prices to March 09 at the moment) and hire a car there? Saves a day travelling each way and all that petrol. Also, this way the mainland caches aren't out-of-bounds; it'd be nice to do Dunnet Head and those around John o'Groats, just to say I had. Anyway, as has been said, it's a long way off and these details can be set much later in the day Edited July 18, 2008 by Simply Paul Quote Link to comment
+La Fifi Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 What a fantastic trip you've got in store. We did the Orkney bit of it at Christmas and then the Shetland bit this easter. For Orkney, we drove to Scrabster and got the ferry to Stromness ( 1.5hrs ) which is a really quaint likkle spot with tiny narrow cobbled streets. We did the two regular caches but ran out of time for the virtual as we only had a day and a bit before the return ferry. For Shetland, we got the ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall. It takes 12 hours and you can either get a cabin, or do a cheapie like we did and just get a reclining seat in the quiet lounge which is free within the cost of your ticket. Actually, many didn't sleep in the quiet lounge but flaked out wherever there was a comfy flat spot in the bars and other seating areas. Shetland was great, we didn't hang around for breakfast on the ferry and headed off as soon as we docked, heading right to Unst, the ferries went like clockwork. The ferry over to Yell was waiting on us and we rolled straight on and set off for the 20 minute trip over, costing the grand sum of £12.00! Then drove across Yell to catch the next free ferry over to Unst which takes all of 10 minutes. We missed only 1 of the available caches due to lack of time as we reckoned it would take half a day for us to get there and do the walk and there was too much else to see in our short trip. A must see is the RSPB nature reserve at Sumburgh Head and there is now a new cache placed nearby since we visited! This is such a worthwhile trip and hope that whoever goes, you all have a great time. Quote Link to comment
paganfrog Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 if the shetlands are a little out of reach as an event place. may i suggest caithness for the event? plenty of caches around plus new ones on the cards. Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share Posted July 18, 2008 if the shetlands are a little out of reach as an event place. may i suggest caithness for the event?plenty of caches around plus new ones on the cards. The fact they're a 'little' out of the way is pretty much the reason to hold an 'extreme' event there! However, it's been usual to hold a much more accessible event shortly afterwards, so I'll keep Caithness in mind for that. Thanks for the suggestion Quote Link to comment
+minstrelcat Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 I'm sure you'll have a great time! Adam & I won't be along for the trip as we've 'done' Shetland (& we've booked an Isle Of Man trip next summer). We decided to drive to Aberdeen over the space of 2 days (handy sister-in-law near Newcastle to put us up) and get the overnight ferry. But then, I don't mind a long drive. Lisa Quote Link to comment
+S&G.Davison Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 we used to dive in Orkney - flew up London - Aberdeen - Kirkwall then hired a mini bus from the airport. Then found out it was the local bus. No wonder people tried to stop it for a lift :-) Sue Quote Link to comment
The Black Isler Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 (edited) Oh no!!! Just like the St Kilda event, it's in the school term again.... (Teamed up with HighlandNick) Edited July 18, 2008 by The Black Isler Quote Link to comment
+Stuey Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Another extreme event! Shetland, June 2009, Dare you visit the UK's most northerly point? (Go on, you know you want to) exploring Orkney I'd love to go there one day and take a photo at the "Twatt" sign Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted July 19, 2008 Author Share Posted July 19, 2008 Another extreme event! Shetland, June 2009, Dare you visit the UK's most northerly point? (Go on, you know you want to)exploring Orkney I'd love to go there one day and take a photo at the "Twatt" sign What, this one? (Seems popular!) Well, what are you up to in June next year? Part of the reason for holding these events is giving people an excuse to do something they might just need an excuse to do... Quote Link to comment
+Stuey Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 Another extreme event! Shetland, June 2009, Dare you visit the UK's most northerly point? (Go on, you know you want to)exploring Orkney I'd love to go there one day and take a photo at the "Twatt" sign What, this one? (Seems popular!) It's the perfect location for a magnetic micro, but a Mystery cache with additional logging requirements (photographic proof of visit required ). Quote Link to comment
+The Golem Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 (edited) Well, it's been a while since I've been caching but I think I might come along to this... Edited July 19, 2008 by The Golem Quote Link to comment
+FantasticCat Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 Won't be able to make the event but do go to the Shetlands to see the outlaws every 18 months. Am planning to place a few caches there at Christmas as there won't be enough caching activity for me otherwise. Shetlands is a very nice place btw and would recommend going there. If anyone needs any info about the Shetlands I'll see what I can do. My father-in-law knows virtually everything that goes on in Shetland. Quote Link to comment
+Dobunnis Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 Ahhhh... brings back memories that description of the route: the same that we took after the St Kilda event last year! Although we did do it a bit quicker than you describe. We got to Scrabster and decided to book the ferries there and then. It did cost more than 200 pounds for the round trip to Orkney, onto Shetland and then Aberdeen. The following morning we got the ferry to Stromness. We had twelve hours until the overnight ferry from Kirkwall to Lerwick and managed to do the three caches that were there at the time (one crossing a causeway) and explore the island. In particular we went around the Churchill Barriers and Scapa Flow; the Itailian PoW church made out of an Anderson shelter is not to be missed. So off we went to Shetland staying for a night at the campsite in Lerwick owned by the sports centre (built with the money from North Sea oil). Lots of exploring and walking around Esha Ness, Scousburgh (where the NATO communications ACE High antennas had just been cut down) and Samburgh Head, but we missed Unst and the furthest north cache. C managed to lock us out of the camper in the morning but the local garage was very good helping us get back in. Back on the overnight ferry to Aberdeen and then we drove down to the Snowdonia event. It was a great trip even after the magic of St Kilda and the Western Isles. We think we could be up for this trip too. Although we explored a lot of the two main islands it would be nice to go back, spend more time there, visit some of the smaller islands and get the new caches that have popped up that way since, Helen and Carolyn PS C is starting on the proper log for the St Kilda event now but don't hold your breath Quote Link to comment
+Cache U Nutter Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 JUST FOR CLARIFICATION FOLKS, NOTHING 'EXTREME' ABOUT THIS EVENT CACHE ! This certainly could be regarded as an 'adventure'....... catching public transport and/ or driving vast distances but hardly warrants the title 'Extreme' !!!!! For 'EXTREME CACHING' it maybe worthwhile visiting the following bookmark listing which details the hard work and daring carried out by cachers prepared to 'push the envelope' to develop new caches somewhat different from your communal garden trad cache. Extreme Caches :--------- http://www.geocaching.com/bookmarks/view.a...ae-e0f56c7c6c5c Cache safely now, no cache is worth dying for !!!!! Quote Link to comment
+Stuey Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 JUST FOR CLARIFICATION FOLKS, NOTHING 'EXTREME' ABOUT THIS EVENT CACHE ! <snip> hardly warrants the title 'Extreme' !!!!! I dunno how much of your tongue was in your cheek when you posted that , but...... Extreme definition: most distant in any direction; eg "the extreme edge of town" The most northerly point of the UK. Yep, that's extreme Quote Link to comment
+Cache U Nutter Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 JUST FOR CLARIFICATION FOLKS, NOTHING 'EXTREME' ABOUT THIS EVENT CACHE ! <snip> hardly warrants the title 'Extreme' !!!!! I dunno how much of your tongue was in your cheek when you posted that , but...... ABSOLUTELY !!!!!!! Quote Link to comment
+ayepee Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 What, this one? (Seems popular!) Well, what are you up to in June next year? Part of the reason for holding these events is giving people an excuse to do something they might just need an excuse to do... Wellll. It is a long way off, but depending on what I am doing I may be up for it. ayepee Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 Another heads-up for this, and, because it's a long way away and I'm feeling daft in the sun, I also plan to climb Ben Nevis again while I'm in Scotland and will hold another extreme event at the top. Two geographical extremes for the price of one Quote Link to comment
+Happy Humphrey Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 It's too early for a firm commitment yet...but I'll register my interest. Ben Nevis could be on my itinerary too - I've done the geocaches on Corran Tuithail, Snaefell and Snowdon: only Ben Nevis, Slieve Donard and Scafell Pike to go. Quote Link to comment
+L8HNB Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Hi Paul, We hope to join you on this little jaunt - if there are any special boat trips (like St K) please let us know. We were there in 2006 and did all caches that were there then. It was so good that we (H really) could be enticed back, and we need to revisit Orkney as we have only been there in our pre-caching days. Cheers, L&H Quote Link to comment
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