Please note - although I will try not to reveal exact locations, my reports may include spoilers
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My first Geocaching trip was an ambitious one. I decided to catch a train from Bishops Lydeard and ride the West Somerset Railway to Minehead. I'd seen on Geocaching.com that there were lots of caches to be found on North Hill. I've walked North Hill many times so thought it would be a good idea (I'd forgotten how steep it is).
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I got off the train at Minehead and headed to the first Cache, which is actually just outside. Full of excitement, I followed my GPS to the spot.
I looked and looked, read the hint, looked some more but unfortunately had to log a DNF. Not a great start!
Next I headed towards the harbour looking for a Virtual Reward (although I didn't know what that was) on the way. I soon found the virtual reward which is the first part of a 2 part cache; the second part being the other end of the coast path. I was unable to log a find here as you need both parts to complete - another failure!
I took a photo anyway, in case I do make it to the second part at some point.
I looked and looked, read the hint, looked some more but unfortunately had to log a DNF. Not a great start!
Next I headed towards the harbour looking for a Virtual Reward (although I didn't know what that was) on the way. I soon found the virtual reward which is the first part of a 2 part cache; the second part being the other end of the coast path. I was unable to log a find here as you need both parts to complete - another failure!
I took a photo anyway, in case I do make it to the second part at some point.
I continued on towards the harbour and then started the climb up North Hill towards the next cache.
GPS coverage was a bit patchy with all the tree cover, but I soon found the right spot.
Having not found a cache yet I didn't really know what I was looking for, but after scrabbling up a bank I FOUND IT!!
My first ever find:
Having not found a cache yet I didn't really know what I was looking for, but after scrabbling up a bank I FOUND IT!!
My first ever find:
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Filled with confidence, I continued uphill towards the next Cache.
There was quite a walk to the next one, following twists and turns and going even higher up the hill.
But as the hill got higher, so the views got better.
There was quite a walk to the next one, following twists and turns and going even higher up the hill.
But as the hill got higher, so the views got better.
Finally I reached the next area - but oh no - MUGGLES!
I stopped a little way away from the cache spot and took some photos while I waited for them to pass.
I stopped a little way away from the cache spot and took some photos while I waited for them to pass.
Once they were clear I started the hunt. I knew the cache had to be somewhere here.. but where?
I looked at the hint - Sticks and stones - not many of them about in the woods...
But then I saw this suspicious looking pile and sure enough, there it was
But then I saw this suspicious looking pile and sure enough, there it was
With 2 finds under my belt, I had a decision to make. Did I have enough time to find one more before catching the train home?
There was a cache I could reach on the way back to the station. It was at least a mile away (as the crow flies) so I had lots of opportunities to take in the beautiful scenery.
There was a cache I could reach on the way back to the station. It was at least a mile away (as the crow flies) so I had lots of opportunities to take in the beautiful scenery.
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After about 30 minutes of walking, the route took me out of the woods and fields and into the old part of Minehead.
Lots of little, narrow roads, old cottages and thatched roofs.
Lots of little, narrow roads, old cottages and thatched roofs.
I walked up a well hidden footpath, up another steep hill and then found the next spot.
The cache was somewhere here:
The cache was somewhere here:
Although this initially looked daunting, the cache was actually quite easy to spot.
With my third find of the day logged, it was time to make my way back to the station.
Once there, I found out the line was closed due to a nearby chemical gas incident! After a short bus ride to Blue Anchor, I was soon back on the train and heading home from my first Geocaching adventure.
Those smiley faces sure look good!
Once there, I found out the line was closed due to a nearby chemical gas incident! After a short bus ride to Blue Anchor, I was soon back on the train and heading home from my first Geocaching adventure.
Those smiley faces sure look good!
Until next time..