Dan Q

Kind: Checkins

Dan Q found GCA6CCW Purple door

This checkin to GCA6CCW Purple door reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

It’s possible that cycling this path wasn’t the wisest idea, I realised, as I dodged brambles on both sides. So focused was I on riding safely that I forgot which GPSr I’d brought with me and listening for the beep it gives when I get close to my target… only realised 120m after the fact that I was using the GPSr that doesn’t give an audible beep and I’d overshot!

Doubled back and gave an extended hunt for the cache before finding it in pieces. Looks like it’s been wilfully vandalised (see photo). Returned the pieces to approximately where I figure they’re meant to live.

A hand holds a palm-sized fragment of wood, painted purple as if once part of a fairy door.

Love the idea, hope it can be fully repaired soon!

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Dan Q found GCADCWF Treasure island

This checkin to GCADCWF Treasure island reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

After an appointment in Witney I opted to divert my cycle home to find this and the other cache on the same path. After cycling down to the GZ (past the noisiest sheep I’ve ever heard!) I was pleased to discover that the recent weather has left the island very dry, and I’d be in no risk of damp feet.

Dan, wearing a cycle helmet, throws a thumbs-up to the camera from a densely-wooded path.

Brambles were a minor threat, but soon the cache was in hand. SL. Outer container has a damaged hinge; just needs a few screws to repair, and it’s not urgent. TFTC!

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Dan Q did not find GC81KDC Standardisation Roundabout

This checkin to GC81KDC Standardisation Roundabout reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

Deciphered this puzzle when it was first published: so long ago that I’d forgotten the specifics of how exactly I did so (although I’m pretty confident I remember the gist of it). But I don’t find myself over this side of Oxford often, these days, and so it took until today that an errand brought me over here before I had a chance to actually try and log it.

Near the GZ I found an obvious trail around the nearby structure and undertook a thorough search of all the obvious hiding places before widening my explorations to the surrounding foliage. Eventually, after about 20 minutes of hunting, I had to give up for shortage of time.

With almost a year since a successful log here and evidence that this trail is now routinely used by a nearby group of non-geocachers, it’s very possible that the cache has been disturbed. I’ll be waiting until a CO checkin (or successful log) before I try again.

Dan Q found GC7ZA2Z My Friend Dotty

This checkin to GC7ZA2Z My Friend Dotty reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

In Marston on an errand, I found myself with enough free time to try to find another few local caches. This puzzle wasn’t as easy as Dotty’s other one, fir me, because for a while I was counting the wrong things, but I cracked it in the end. A slow walk past the GZ with my fingers in the obvious space soon put the cache in my hand. Log extraction required stone creative use of a naturally occurring tool, but before long it was signed and returned. TFTC!

Dan Q found GCAPFH3 Cherry Blossom

This checkin to GCAPFH3 Cherry Blossom reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

Third time’s the charm. I don’t live too far away and I’m often found cycling to, from, or through Eynsham. As a result, I’ve on two previous occasions come to this GZ with a view to finding this cache… and both times have been glorious summer weekend days when the adjacent café has been brim full of guests, and I’ve declared it “too muggley” and backed off.

Today, though, is a gloomy and overcast day, with rain on the way and a threat of thunderstorms. So as I cycled by, on my way home from the dentist, I stopped by. I quickly found and retrieved the cache, signed the log, and returned it to its spot.

Now I’d better see if I can pedal all the way home before the clouds burst! TFTC.

Dan Q did not find GC74Z2R Metal bridge cache

This checkin to GC74Z2R Metal bridge cache reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

Stopped by while cycling back from Witney. Made a moderately thorough search above and below the titular bridge, without success. Might benefit from a checkin/note from the CO.

Dan, standing by his bike on an iron footbridge over marshy ground, makes an exaggerated shrugging gesture.

Maybe I’m just not seeing it, or else maybe it’s vanished in the six months since its last successful find. Great place for a cache, though!

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Dan Q did not find GC9M1WJ Village Hall series 1179 – Mortimer Hall Marston

This checkin to GC9M1WJ Village Hall series 1179 - Mortimer Hall Marston reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

Had to give up on this one for now. Found the plaque without difficulty and soon had a believable set of coordinates (though I briefly struggled with what was meant by the D & E description). Soon I was at the GZ and, after a brief hunt through the multitude of possible hosts, tried the hint. No use, though: I’m no wiser what I should be looking for. Sadly this is only a flying visit to Marston and I’ve got to go wrangle the kids now, but maybe I’ll revisit next time I’m in the area.

Dan Q found GC9GJZH Dotty writes letters

This checkin to GC9GJZH Dotty writes letters reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

I’m in Marston on an errand and figured I’d pick up a couple of local caches that weren’t around when I was last in the vicinity: which I guess was way back when I lived near here! The puzzle didn’t leave me stumped for long, but I always used to score highly at Dotty’s kind of game! TFTC.

Dan Q found GC9GEC1 Church Micro 14176…Old Marston

This checkin to GC9GEC1 Church Micro 14176...Old Marston reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

A quick and easy offset church micro if ever I saw one. I’ll tell you what, I totally approve of this form of formula – this letter is this number plus or minus something, ten just string them all together – rather than the more-common algebraic backflips one sometimes has to do. SL, TFTC!

Outside a Norman-style church, Dan throws a thumbs-up sign.

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Dan Q found GCANV4T #14 Longworth Loop

This checkin to GCANV4T #14 Longworth Loop reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

While I searched through potential hosts in this off-the-path GZ, the geopup just stood in one particular place, looking at me as if I were a fool. I should’ve listened, because clearly her own geosense is developing: she was right next to the cache’s hiding spot!

A French Bulldog stands alongside a short gnarly tree in a lightly-wooded copse.

TFTC, and thanks once more for such a brilliant loop of caches: all nicely hidden, well cared for, and appropriately sized. Really enjoyed our walk this morning

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Dan Q found GCANV4N #12 Longworth Loop

This checkin to GCANV4N #12 Longworth Loop reflects a geocaching.com log entry. See more of Dan's cache logs.

After fashioning the requisite tool it still took me a solid 5+ attempts to retrieve the cache – it felt a bit like playing those wiggle-wire fairground games that I suck at so much! Once retrieved, the dog was very disappointed that start I was holding wasn’t a plaything for her. TFTC, FP awarded for the right container, right hiding place, right difficulty.