Day 1 of Mega geocaching event - crazy goings on

26 October (Labour Weekend) - The Mega event finally got underway.  We were based at Albany Stadium, an excellent venue with plenty of open parkland around it and shops and eating places handy.

Our venue was the corporate area of Albany stadium, with this wonderful view looking down to the rugby field.  Some All Blacks actually turned up during the weekend, and Dan Carter and Tony Woodcock waved to the geocachers.  Unfortunately I wasn't there at the time.

Gathering on the first morning

Then out to do some geocaching - big crowds began to gather at many of the geocaches - very social!

On the Saturday evening a flash mob with lights and torches was organised at the Albany shops.

Then out to Muriwai beach for a night event in the forest, using headlamps.  Aliens were spotted...

This one moved and waved.

The final very large geocache!

The night event had some whizz bang electronic puzzle solving too.  Great fun, and finally home to bed at 1 am.

More geocaching up North

Friday 25 October - before the Geocaching Mega event got underway at Labour Weekend a number of day walks were organised.  I chose to do the Okura bush walkway which is on the east coast of the North Shore just south of Whangaparaoa peninsula.  It was a delightful mix of beach and bush.  About 20 of us did this guided walk and of course there were lots of geocaches to find along the way.

Signing the log book for all of us.

A lot of people were looking for a very small hide in this very big tree!

Kathy from Australia enjoying her time in NZ.

Dacre cottage - we had lunch here in the welcome shade.

In the evening there was a "Fish'n'Chips" meet and greet event at a beach on the North Shore.  Unfortunately after a hot day for our walk it turned cool and drizzly.  Australian friends Kathy and Graham tucking in. In spite of the weather quite a few people did gather with their takeaways.

Geocaching up north

22-24 October:  Before the Mega Geocaching event in Auckland over Labour Weekend I did a 3 tour geocaching tour north of Auckland.  There were just five of us in the tour, organised by a geocacher who happens to be a travel agent.  We geocached to exhaustion each day but had a lot of fun along the way and were kept busy with a variety of activities as well.

A three hour walk around one of Auckland's regional parks, collecting geocaches - Atiu farm park.  A warm, sunny afternoon and great views.

One of over 30 cache finds along the way.

Opononi sand dunes - Mandy (left) our tour guide, and Kathy from
Australia about to do some sand boarding.

Guess who went too fast and ended up in the water - our tour guide!

Koutu boulders at a beach near Opononi - just like the Moeraki boulders and the Whitecliffs boulders.

Getting ready to bike the Twin Coast Cycle Trail near Kaikohe.

Hunting down a tricky hide - one of 19 caches we found along the way.  This trail used to be a railway line.

Early morning view from Flagstaff hill, Russell. 

Mrs Woodcock's seat, Russell.  Mrs Woodcock was a teacher at Russell school and lived in the house behind this seat for 64 years.  This seat was made by one of her sons from old power poles and has "electrical sculptures".  There is a micro geocache hidden here, it was hard to find.

Tom checking out the electrical current.