Author: Dan Q

This checkin to GLVYGRN8 Boggling Boolean reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

Given that I’ve lived very near to here for longer than this cache has existed, you’d be forgiven for wondering what took me so long. I don’t even have the excuse that many might: that the array of strange symbols, lines, and letters might be too puzzling for me, but that’s not the case either! When the cache first appeared I instantly recognised the language that was being used: I just couldn’t work out how that could be used to express a set of GPS coordinates.

Today, at long last, I thought to look at the hint. I can’t believe it’s been years and I hadn’t: I guess I’d assumed that it would have only helped me with the location of the actual container, more fool me. Anyway: once I read the hint, I instantly knew what I had to do. I was feeling lazy, so I translated the code into a slightly different format and punched it into an online service that can help with this kind of thing, and suddenly I was over 80% of the way there. But one digit (the fourth) was throwing me off… it seemed to be giving me a result that didn’t MEAN anything. Only when I stopped and thought about what a particular letter might represent did I realise my folly!

A short cycle later and the cache was in my hand: it was in the first place I looked. Unfortunately a part of the cache container flew off and attached itself to a hard-to-reach spot on my bike, and it took me a while to put the container back together again! Worse yet, while undoing the damage I’d caused (it’s fine now, by the way) I dropped my pen, which meant that I didn’t have it with me when I reached my next cache stop, GC6HV83 (Easy as 1-2-3), but more on that later.

FP awarded.

This checkin to GLVYAZGY University Challenge 8 (Brmm Brmm) reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

Visited the old multicache that use to be near here, years ago, and somehow neglected to return to get this virtual when it appeared. Made it, though, earlier this week. (Answers/pic to follow. ) TFTC.

This checkin to GC3MKRH Dogfort v Catfort - Catfort reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

This geocacher reported that this geocache should be archived. A community volunteer reviewer has been notified.

This checkin to GC3MKRH Dogfort v Catfort - Catfort reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

With 6 of the 12 prerequisite caches now archived (after the CO didn’t respond to queries, we’re told), it seems unlikely that anybody’s left who’s both able and willing to find this cache. It was last logged over 5 months ago by a cacher who suspects that they’ll be the last; the previous log was over a year and a quarter before that. Perhaps time to archive?

This checkin to GC4KXPW Mushroom Hair reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

No sign of this tonight. :-(

This checkin to GLVVRZJF Time for a cup of tea and a biscuit reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

We first came a year ago while this cache was missing. Now, on my next trip back to my old haunting grounds, the cache is back in place and we were able to log it. TFTC.

This checkin to OK0022 Copdock Hill reflects an opencache.uk log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

A planned break from my journey from Oxford to Preston gave me the opportunity for a sunset hill climb in this beautiful setting. Almost as if to congratulate me, the second I returned the log to the cache container somebody far to the South West started setting off fireworks (barely audible from this distance, but definitely visible from this altitude!): I must be doing something right! TFTC.

This checkin to OK0372 Mandala reflects an opencache.uk log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

A moment of joy and serenity on my otherwise-uninspiring cycle to work. A wonder I’ve never been down this end of Plantation Road before, given that I’m a fan of the Gardner’s Arms further along it and there are certainly journeys I’ve taken to or from there that would have been just as easy to take via this end of the quaint street.

I tried looking at the mandala image in two different cardinal directions, and saw that it appeared in two different ways. Upright, it seems as though an infinity symbol divided (but you can divide infinity forever and still have an infinity), but rotated 90° it’s more like an hourglass suspended in a rotating frame (and so able to be flipped and started again). Either way, the metaphor to me is one of time.

Thanks for the cache; I hope more people get to find their way to this magical little corner.

This checkin to GC5J655 GO Active Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

I was in such a great streak this evening but that came to an end here, despite a 20min search of gradually-increasing radius. :-( Maybe next time…

This checkin to GLVVQ1AY Not up or Down reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

On my way back down after finding GC18RNH I thought I’d try my luck at this cache, too. The sun had set and I thought my luck would fail me, but the hint (though a little cryptic) pointed me in the right direction. With the help of my torch plus a little bit of feeling-my-way I was able to retrieve the cache and sign the log. TFTC!