Mrs Happy's Grove (Auckland) Waitakere, North Island, New Zealand
By KiwiGary on 25-Apr-07. Waypoint GC12E5C

A long walk up this road in the heat of the day. Yes happy to reach the top.Cache nice and dry today.

Contents very wet, alas. Really needs replacing. Were trying to dry the paper log in the sun

Its really soaking wet and contents damaged beyond repair, I think

Instant find when at GZ.
Logbook soaking wet so I took a picture as proof.
Nice views nearby. Thanks for bringing me here and
TFTC
#10022

A solo excursion for Mr Coblet.
After finding the "Half Way Up" cache I had to continue to get this one, it's always easier once you are past the mid point and I was very keen to get this cache and see the view.
A family of Pukekos were pecking around on the trail and were very startled to see me approaching so ran off into the bushes. They look very comical when they are stepping quickly in mild panic.
I made sure to apologise for disrupting their morning and assured them I would soon be out of their way, although in hindsight I think talking to them just made them more concerned.
Once at GZ it didn't take long to locate the cache which was right where it was supposed to be. The log was a bit wet but I was still able to sign.
I'm surprised to see that it was only found once last year and that I'm the first to find it this year.
The sun was just coming up so I made sure to take a few photos.
Thanks KiwiGary for another great cache on this lonely trail.

As it was a lovely warm day, I decided to head out and get these 2 caches by this C.O, they being not far apart from each other. I did this one first (after riding up the hill) and after viewing the seat and sitting on it for a few minutes, I found the cache. This one is in a sad condition. There was not one but 2 plastic bags in the small container and as such the non water-proof paper was saturated. I dried it out briefly on the hot rock and unfortunately I had left the new paper back in my car, it was water-proof paper and it would have been ideal. So I took away the much too big plastic bag and left the smaller one.

Hopefully the next finder of this cache could bring along a replacement log??

So I rode up the grassy hill a little and took a beautiful shot of the scenery looking back the way I came. Then I gradually made my way back down the steep hill very carefully on my e-bike. I wished the hill was tar-sealed but alas it wasn't.

Thanks again KiwiGary.

What a lovely walk and tribute to Mrs Happy. This walk also put me in my happy place. Merlot, Mr Pazza ( and our 2 geohounds) and I continued a bit further for the best views. We met another group on a similar mission to check out the views on spotted and unwelcome stoat on our way back down. Tftc and views

I went out today with Pazza 2 to burn off the xmas excesses as we both had these caches on our hit list. What a lovely tribute to Mrs Happy and we were very happy to find the cache though it has seen better days. Thankfully the previous finder a few days ago had replaced the log. Then we decided to go further uphill and admire the views

I was fortunate enough to be in this area today so headed up to grab this cache. Located the cache however the lid was partially open and the log was sodden. I had a piece of paper with me so I started a new log and managed to find a sealed bag to keep it dry also (a bit large, but fits in with a squeeze). Thanks for the cache, I’m off to explore these paddocks a little further!

It's been a while since they were found these caches!
We'll go up to the top to get a 360° view

---
Thanks KiwiGary for the geocache [^]
Greetings from Belgium,
Frank et Muriel travelling in New Zealand

Happy geocaching

The last time I was here for the caches a bit further down, I didn't had the time for this one.. After a river crossing and a mean bush walk, I was able to leave my signature this time. On the way back I met some cows. We didn't really made friends although they followed me and watched every step of mine. Had a real nice walk! Thanks to the owner!

Our first geocaching

https://www.strava.com/activities/1333808328 - I won't lie, I'm fit but not fit enough to run all the way up that hill, caught up to some other runners however they left me behind when I stopped for this cache. Log was very very wet. Tried to dry it out abit but also knew I had many more kms and caches to go. Thank you for the very scenic view up here.

I was glad of a seat when I got here so sat for a while to enjoy the spot. TFTC.

We were happy to find this cache and happy to have a seat for our snack after climbing the hill. We also stopped on our way back down and had lunch and admired the views and Mrs Happy's grove. Don't think she'd be too happy about all the gorse though.

#2442. I was spending the week out in west Auckland doing some work at my study site. But also had a few dot days in early July so needed to get some geocaches each day. Fortunately I had a rental car this trip so was able to spend a couple of hours each day picking up some nearby caches. Today it was showery in the morning so headed off to do a few caches before lunch so I could spend the fine afternoon back at work on my research project. I parked at the top of the road and started the steady slog up hill. Its pretty unrelenting. Glad its a mild day in July and not a hot summers day. This one was straightforward and soon had the cache in hand. However the logbook was drenched. So put in a fresh sheet of note paper inside a ziplock plastic bag and removed the old plastic bag. Tucked the cache back under cover. Lucky the electric fence wasn't turned on or else I would have got electric shock therapy to my head!! Least I now know why the fence is present seeing all the farm land at the top of this ridge. Thanks for the cache.

Managed to get another day off due to weekend work and selected today to do some walks. TFTC

Had fun finding this with my brother and my daughter. Steep climb but well worth it for the views!

Almost missed this one haha but got it. Just got back from a hike to.gated living then looped around to the waimamu junction. phew! Coming back round the loop was am uphill battle! Glad it's downhill to the car from here ! Tftc!

Love the views from this spot. Found this one when out tramping with a Duke of Edinburgh group in the rain. We camped down at the Pae O Te Rangi campsite off Whatitiri Track for three nights.

Cool views thats definatly my workout for the day now to roll back down took TB tftc Lokky 1 23 March 2015 10:15

Cool views thats definatly my workout for the day now to roll back down took TB tftc Lokky 1 23 March 2015 10:15

Having a nice walk in the Cascades park...bit of wind blasting in, nice to cool you down. nice spot..with a nice memory attached. Found cache ok but was in a very wet state. Dried it out, replaced bag and log. Put laminated card back in but prior log didnt survive..new log small so may need replacing soon. container ok overall. Dropped TB

Bit of a hike uphill today ! Lucky it's such lovely weather ! Log too soggy to write on ...needs replacing ....
Good to remember Sylvia Happy with a plaque and a grove .

At the top at last but lots more hills to do today. TFTC.

soggy mess unfortunately didn't even try to write on it.

container is not waterproof, log sheet is now pulp, need a replacement.

Our first ever Geocache! A very exciting find with beautiful views to reward a good uphill climb.
Cache was wet and paper too soggy to write on. Dried as best we could then returned to location.

Loved the solitude. Cache is wet, needs a good drying out but otherwise in good order. If I come back this way at an earlier time of day I'll have a go. TFTC.

Great view on this clear sunny day. The cache was wet so dried out the container and left the paper in the sun long enough to be able to write on. TFTC.

Just looking at the map and saw a missing smiley face, I remember slogging up the hill with rustynz and being very happy to find chair and beautiful views

Found originally as part of rebel98 team, now created own account, re-logging as rustynz

See rebel98 log below, I think I needed both the rock and chair after climbing that hill. Great views and hide. Thanks again for the cache.

Loving the chair! much appreciated after climbing up the hill! Log and contents damp, whilst recovering dried out and returned to hiding place. Thanks for bringing us here, Rangitoto and the Coromandel in the distance.

One good find deserves another so I continued my walk up here. Great views from up here to be sure! Found after a good groping of the likely GZ. Cache was wet inside (log was still dry) so I dried it out best I could. Cheers for showing me this lovely spot!

Quick find, didnt want to pause long, started to imagine that geocachers all around might be chasing down the FTF's nearby. So signed it and moved on. TFTC!

listen to the clue!

Out for a geocaching jaunt out West on a hot summers day. Cheers and thanks for bringing me to this fantastic spot!!!

Found orginally as part of phasevisitor team, now created own account, re-logging as yorkshirekiwi83.

Spent the morning picking up a few caches around the Waitakere's. A pleasant early morning hike up the hill - it certainly got the legs and heart pumping! Quickly found the cache and grabbed the geocoin. Thanks for the cache and the exercise!

Spent the morning picking up a few caches around the Waitakere's. A pleasant early morning hike up the hill - it certainly got the legs and heart pumping! Quickly found the cache and grabbed the geocoin. Thanks for the cache and the exercise!

What are we doing out here. It is raining and raining and we are walking up and up in the rain.
And.....not talking about the wind. Believe that the house just down the road has choosen his name very wisely: Windy Crest.
After done the halfway, went for this one. Put in new logbook
Left Travelbug

Still wet.
Even more windy.
But Half Way Up is not enough.
After doing the full way up we did our log and immediately went all way down to the car.
TFTC!

well..... after heading up the hill on a day walk.. found what i thought was the clue right where the gps stopped pointing.... although unable to investigate the side indicated due to it looking like it has been moved halve a meter to away from the road a big grunty mechanical pusher of some kind.... ( so if down hill from the gate it may well be RIP.... but now in hindsight i realised i didnt consider the location made of many of those said items mentioned....

We continued on up from half way up at an even slower pace and the threatening rain stayed away until just after we made the find and signed the log. Sylvia would be very happy with her memorial if she could see it TFTC.

Looking good from here. Used the rest spot and hd a bit of a break before turning around and heading down again. Thanks.

Carried on from "Half-way Up" to take in the view. Took some time to rest the legs before heading back to the car with Trout-fly and Josie. Great walk and well worth the effort. TFTC

A nice place to stop and rest, just go the cache before 15 tramping muggles came along. t4tc

Well done to Mrs Happy! Conservationists need recognition and this place is well worth protection. TFTC.

Would have been a good spot to stop for lunch if it had not been for the drizzle. I've been here in the past on tramping trips and had great views back towards Auckland. TFTC

Despite the obvious clue, it took me a while to find this, but nice spot, TFTC!!

Good rest stop on a big run, cheers

What a great day to be out wandering around. Made the trek up with EatOrBeEaten and after a quick stopover half way up finished our ascent here. Quick find here then spent a while just admiring the view and the quiet before heading back down. Fantastic spot. TFTC

evilno9 and I definitely made the most of the first really summery day with this cache. The stone seat means this should be a good caching/picnicking combo if you've time to spend and decent company. TFTC!

After a crappy morning, the sun decided to come out and Rumo used the chance to do a nice workout on the way up to the cache (and beyond). Loved the view into the valley with the sunny patches drifting over the landscape.
TNLNSL, TFTC

Great Cache! Animals & creepy crawlies thought so too...a bit of dusting down was required, but inside still mint. What a great place...TFTC!

Found together with KiwiLeon and Little Redhood.
Second time lucky - windy up here today. T4TC

I was there in the morning before work...amazing view...
and found the cache after work in the afternoon...amazing view...

a really good spot for geocache ...

After knocking off 'Half Way Up' we continued UP the hill - it was a trudge, but yes the views were worth it! TFTC.

What a fantastic spot - so peaceful and such an awesome view! Loved it

Stopped here for a drink and a quick find on loop walk from the cascades

Found this one at last!

Disappointed on our first outing!

Having just found "Half Way Up" I looked at the GPS to see the next closest cache and saw this one was only 450m away. The walk up however was a lot steeper than the walk up to the previous cache. Had a good sweat built up by the time I got to GZ. Had to wait a few minutes for a muggle walking her dog to leave and then found the cache. TFTC

Hot day for the trudge up the hill, happy to see the seat. Left Summerlin geocoin to further its travels and enjoy the view.

Again, actually found on our new year's day hike...

Happy New Year Mrs. Happy!

Kiwieric

Last time we DNF on this one, made it back today to sign this one off.

TFTC

Went Half Way Up for the FTF so decided to climb the rest of the way to Mrs Happy's Grove. The altimeter was showing 250 metres, and we were rewarded with views across the ranges and back out to Rangitoto in the far distance. Very hazy this morning. The walk is steep, but far quicker than we had anticipated - only 10 mins to Half Way Up and another 10 mins to Mrs Happy's Grove. Two caches on this track should encourage more people to visit. Thanks for bringing us up here.
Took geocoin.

# 973

Went up for a walk after work with Snow to check on cache.

Cache is fine and the location is still a great spot, spoke to the local farmer on the way down the hill.

The Manuka were in flower, so all is well with Mr's Happy Grove, Game On!!!!!

Left: Marine Geocoin

Dead Cache Walking....This cache isn't getting the finds I expected so I am going to recycle the container and move it somewhere else. I will pick it soon, probably in the next couple of weeks.

If you were planning on doing this soon then please drop me a line and I will leave it a while longer.

Thanks....KiwiGary

Found with the assistance of the inimitable XenaCommander.
TechnoKitten has been very slack with logs and is finally catching up.
Watchout for cyclists while driving everyone...
TK has spent twelve weeks since 15 Jan recovering from many broken bones after being t-boned by a motorist who turned right across a busy bike/bus lane without signalling or looking or giving way.

XC and TK out and about on Splat. parked bike at end of road and walked up. TK is still recovering from cycle crash so dropped behind. XC found cache and had signed log and removed TB in residence before she arrived... Nice to get a chance to find one..!! )
TFTC #926

Was in need of some exercise so why not visit the Grove and see how my cache is doing. Cache is fine in its new hide. Saw some Mountain Bikers on they way down the hill as I was getting to the top. Thanks to everyone that has visited so far...

Left: Blaize TB

Will head back here.

** Coordinates Changed From **
S 36° 53.089 E 174° 29.912
Distance From Old: 68.5 feet
08:32 What a magic place, the recent DNF's gave me an excuse to visit the grove again.

The rising sun was shinning through the clouds onto the valley. Which made me happy despite the cache being lost to muggledom. That weed mat on the fence is new, so I suspect that's when the cache was removed.

This magic spot deserves a cache, so its been replaced please note the new hint and co-ords.

Thanks to Greenblat and R&R for logging the DNF's, it's makes an cache owners job much easier

Happy days are here again, cache replaced see my other note...

After the one DNF and another unlogged DNF I think I will have to disable the Mrs Happy cache. Looks like the cache may have gone.

I will go up and see if I can find the cache. Thanks to all visitors so far.

Steep walk. Nice view. No cache.

06/09/2008 1303 HRS NZST.

One heck of a slog up the hill, but the views were worth it in the end. Stopped for lunch and to catch my breath. Saw a Pheasant and Wood Pidgeon on the way back. Tui and Fantail were also to be heard. The walk up took 20-30 minutes, but the walk down only too 10 min at a reasonably casual pace. From GZ I could see Coromandel and Gt. Barrier Is.

- Small Plastic Bird
- Year 2000 1 Pence Coin
- Year 2005 5 Pence Coin
+ Small Purple Rubber Aligator
+ Small Khaki Rubber Frog
+ Small Rubber Pingu Penguin

TFTC Signed Log.

[This entry was edited by b0rg on Sunday, September 07, 2008 at 12:20:43 AM.]

After walking in the Cascade Challenge cache via Saddle Dam cache and back again, this one was a doddle - NOT.

Though I did meet a lovely couple on the way up and explained Geocaching to them. Showed them the cache and gave them the info to read. They reckon that they might start it up.

In: Nil
Out: Diabetes GC
Cheers for the cache.

Left this coin at this wonderfull spot

4th and last Cache of the day. After hour 4 our tramp we went up the hill, a was a bit hard after a day tramping, but was worth the view.

Introduced GeoCaching to the Manukians (Dutch Tramping Club)

- Travelbug
+ diabetis Coin

Logged at 14.15

TFTC and the magnificent view !!!

[This entry was edited by KiwiLeon on Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 2:40:05 PM.]

[This entry was edited by KiwiLeon on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 11:45:36 PM.]

2nd cache on our trek here today. Nice spot with great views and nice seat nearby to rest before continuing over to Saddle Dam.

On a roundtrip with 5 caches from Cascade carpark. Lovely spot, because feeling around the post, I missed. Took Di to find it in its hideyhole. Left TB One Ring of the Lords. Thanks for the cache, Kiwigary

(1235)
Quick find, like all the previous finders, we were very happy to make it to the top including many PUFF stops! Thanks for the awesome views, we could easily make out the Coromandel through the haze.
TNLNSL, TFTC

Man what a slog, but well worth it. TNLNSL, TFTC

#638. Bugger me days - that's a steep hill - and no views today with the mist. TFTC.

I was Mr Happy when I reached the top, all downhill from here.
TFTC, TNLNSL

Big mission towards #1,000 getting towards the end. Another dash up another steep hill. Tramper Ted is getting exhausted, but oh the great views. Have been up here before and its worthy of more time than we had. TFTC

It was a bit of a climb but with a great view at the top. Unfortunately our geo dog tested the electric fence and yes, it does work. Nice easy find.
- Filbert geocache
TFTC

Turned out to be a long road indeed because I carried onto Smythes Corner and along Smythes Ridge. Make sure you are wearing boots if you do this - the mud was ankle deep.
Amazing to think that my Great Grandfather _drove_ his Model T Ford along Long Road!
+TB Filbert Frequent Flyer Card (since I haven't been near any airports lately).
Thanks for the cache!

I must do a through trip to here one day.
Cheers KG - M@

FTF! Got to the end of the road, and the GPS told me the cache was 970m away. What it didn't say was the 113m climb in front of me! Got to the top in 14 steaming minutes, including a brief chat to a DOC worker clearing the drain, to be rewarded with a great view. On the return, DOC guy informed me that they are about to open a new track alongside the Waitakere Reservoir, replacing the Fenceline track. TNLN, cheers Gary.

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