My first cache - you couldn't get worse than this!

[MrPloppy]

After downloading a geocache application to my Windows Mobile phone, I thought I'd give this a go. I'd heard of geo-caching, but didn't really know the "ins and outs" as it were.

 

Using the application and logging on here, I found a cache very close to my home, so this afternoon I took a little walk. I'm getting over an ear operation at the moment, so despite this being a warmish spring day, I had to wear a black wooly hat to keep it protected - a detail that becomes important later

 

I get to the first cache location, but I can't find it for the life of me, and after about five minutes of searching, I move onto the next one, about a 1/3rd of a mile away. The path I walk down is a very quiet and pleasant path beside a river, and it's not long before I'm rummaging around the undergrowth trying to find the second cache. So there I was, not really thinking about what's around me, when I find the cache! Great stuff! I pick it up, and start to walk back to the path again when there's two policemen looking at me! "Is everything alright, sir?" they ask.

 

Well, I had to explain what I was doing, and they said that there had been a burgulary just up the road about an hour beforehand and they were looking for anything suspiscious. They thought the sight of a man in dark clothes, wearing a black hat rummaging around the undergrowth warranted investigation!

 

I wasn't arrested or anything (!), but I now know to by ultra cautious so that these (what I've since learned are called) "muggles" don't see what you're up to!!

 

As it happens, I didn't have a pen or a pencil, so couldn't "officially" find the caches - that's a job for tomorrow.

 

Just thought you'd all like to know anyways, as a way of introduction to the clan!

 

MrP.

[+Stuey]

After downloading a geocache application to my Windows Mobile phone, I thought I'd give this a go. I'd heard of geo-caching, but didn't really know the "ins and outs" as it were.

 

Using the application and logging on here, I found a cache very close to my home, so this afternoon I took a little walk. I'm getting over an ear operation at the moment, so despite this being a warmish spring day, I had to wear a black wooly hat to keep it protected - a detail that becomes important later

 

I get to the first cache location, but I can't find it for the life of me, and after about five minutes of searching, I move onto the next one, about a 1/3rd of a mile away. The path I walk down is a very quiet and pleasant path beside a river, and it's not long before I'm rummaging around the undergrowth trying to find the second cache. So there I was, not really thinking about what's around me, when I find the cache! Great stuff! I pick it up, and start to walk back to the path again when there's two policemen looking at me! "Is everything alright, sir?" they ask.

 

Well, I had to explain what I was doing, and they said that there had been a burgulary just up the road about an hour beforehand and they were looking for anything suspiscious. They thought the sight of a man in dark clothes, wearing a black hat rummaging around the undergrowth warranted investigation!

 

I wasn't arrested or anything (!), but I now know to by ultra cautious so that these (what I've since learned are called) "muggles" don't see what you're up to!!

 

As it happens, I didn't have a pen or a pencil, so couldn't "officially" find the caches - that's a job for tomorrow.

 

Just thought you'd all like to know anyways, as a way of introduction to the clan!

 

MrP.

 

Thanks for posting your story here. Excellent reading! I've had several occasions when I have been spoken to by the police. Sometime you just can't be stealthy enough. I hope you enjoyed it anyway, and that you stay this side of the bars next time too

[+Munkeh]

thats quite tame, I think you'd get more worried when they approch you with guns as has happened in the past in london

[+Bear and Ragged]

Lucky!

Over in the US, if something looks "Suspicious" the bomb squad blows it up!

 

(According to the forums over there! )

[+chizu]

thats quite tame, I think you'd get more worried when they approch you with guns as has happened in the past in london

 

And to us in Paris!

[MrPloppy]

thats quite tame, I think you'd get more worried when they approch you with guns as has happened in the past in london

 

I was caught with a 35mm film cannister in my hand. I suppose they might have been more suspiscious if I had an ammo can!!

[+Longfram Kev]

Quote As it happens, I didn't have a pen or a pencil, so couldn't "officially" find the caches - that's a job for tomorrow. End Quote

 

Did you not ask the policeman if he had a pencil ? :-)

[+The Blorenges]

Good story.

 

I guess you didn't tell him you're called Mr Ploppy?

 

You may have faced some more intense questioning...

 

 

MrsB

[+PSHAX]

Good to hear that I wasn't the only rookie cacher to get pulled by plod!

 

My first cache find was on my birthday in December 2007, in the rain, and I had a the honour of being searched by 2 of the Mets finest (NOT!!).. What a great way to start an obsession!!

 

But you do get used to Mr and Mrs Plod popping up from time to time. One even let me use his torch to find the cache, and his pen to sign the log..

[+DigitalJim]

haha! I was going to say you should have asked said copper for his pencil! I get enough looks as it is, as a 21 year old who looks about 16 driving around in a modified long wheelbase landrover LOL though I've not been spoken to whilst caching yet!

 

Good story