Wood it be here? Castle Hill, New South Wales, Australia
By alfyboy on 08-Aug-11. Waypoint GC31NQ1

No response from the owner within the last 28 Days and as per my original note this cache has been archived. If you wish to replace it please submit a new cache via [this link](https://www.geocaching.com/play/hide).

When a cache gets hidden down here, it's hidden well. Am making a replacement to hide.

Disabling to check it out.

Was looking at doing this one but after reading the logs I think we need a CO check

Even with photo Intel, I still could not find this one.

There were many items which would have matched, but a no go.

Had just started sifting through the leaf litter when a text came through to say lunch was ready. Another time.

Today I was doing a run out to VK2WI, the official broadcast station of Amateur Radio NSW (HAM radio) at Quarry Road Dural, and thought I would pick up a few caches along the way. Stopped off on the way back home for this one.

Searched for a short while, but really needed to get on my way, so will have a better look next time I'm out this way. Being a D3.5 I expect it will need a really good search. TFTH anyway.

WOW - what a sneaky little hide! I went over the numerous potential hiding places & came up empty. Went back over the same places systematically ... still no CIH. Made a quick PAF who confirmed a spot I'd obviously not searched thoroughly enough. I'm certain I even laid hands on something very similar to the cache camo from right next to it - LOL! Glad to finally be able to turn this one into a smiley TFTC

Well that's it. I'm never attempting an alfyboy cache again.

After 2 alfyboy DNFs I really needed a good find to pick my spirits back up. I got down to GZ and wasted a few minutes trying to get a good GPS signal. There were dark clouds overhead, metaphorically and literally. I narrowed the search area down to about a radius of 10 metres. I knew the cache had some kind of camo, but a micro? Around here? C'mon man...

You know how the story goes. I searched and searched and found nothing. Walked away with my head down and decided to wrap it up for the day. I started my 3km walk back to the car and it started pouring down rain. A great way to end the day and suck the last remnants of life from me.

Out late today, so decided to nip north for a few finds.
Ironically only the multi was quick. And there was a DNF (for the second time) as well.
Finished as the light was almost gone.
[center]END OF CUT AND PASTE SECTION[center]
Replaced, new finders, so I thought I'd come back for another look.

Beat me again as I scoured a number of trees, and the spots inbetween. The likely spot I'd noticed last time was still empty.
Hmmm. Think I'll need an extra hint or two to grab this one.

Found this after tip exchange. Good to get this of the list of closest to home tftc

Made my way straight after work and Mr MR arrived not long afterwards while I was down at GZ and just started.
Ahh, such a familiar location and methodical search plan in place. Working on knocking off items than area. Started from one end to the other and now can rule that item off. Now started on the base of the hill from the left and that's when I hear "is this what we are here for?" , Mr MR holding the container. Oh, thank you, I say relieved. I like the new improved container, thanks Alfyboy, can finally say this is now behind me.

After finding “The Shepherds Village“, I recklessly decided to tackle another Alfyboy hide, noting that this one had recently been restored. I met up with Martin Cousins at GZ and after a few minutes of fruitless searching was starting to wonder if my decision to come here was a massive geo-folly. However, suddenly, on returning to an area we had only skimmed over, the cache suddenly revealed itself.

Tricky hide but nice little spot, thanks Alfyboy.

After this second Alfyboy success I almost succumbed to the urge to give “Lost Cache” another go, but resisted deciding not to push my luck today .

26/08/15. 10:25 AM. Cache #2886. Streak day #430.
I had this on watch as it was my second closest unfound to home (behind the probably melted "1948 FORDSON MAJOR"), and it hasn't been found for over a year. So when the CO's re-enablement log came up, I planned this one as my first stop today.

I parked on the correct side of the creek and made my way to the familiar GZ. I scratched around the tree that bella had last found it, but no luck. Fair enough, the CO has probably put the replacement in the proper spot where the previous one should have been. A bit more looking around and I finally saw something suspicious... well my suspicions were spot on. Cache in hand! First to sign the new log and now I've picked up another 14 months' worth. TFTC and for the maintenance.
} : )

It's back! Same woody location, same woody terrain, and same woody cache! Hmmm, have I said too much?

After all the rain, I came back to find it missing again. So new cache has been made. This time I might cable tie it to the tree so it doesn't disappear. I have an idea for a small variation on the hide. So while the cache and camo will be identical, the hide, still within 1m, may be different back soon.

Methodically searched a certain area that I was yet to go over, this took another 30-40mins. B@W States in his log that it's close to the manhole, hmmm, anyway TFTH

This is weird...Is it here? time to recheck...

To good for me

28/5/15. 10:47 AM.
Some further intel brought me back for a second day and I found out that I had been on the wrong side of the creek yesterday. There're 2 manholes! Despite the fact that my new info was very specific, half an hour of scratching like a chook again and leaving it looking like scorched earth was still not enough. Off to Dural to look for a bigger box at Humpty Dumpty "The Wall".

27/5/15. 12:48 PM.
I had 2 of alfyboy's sneakiest under my belt today: "Lost Cache" (9 months since last found) and "Legend of Erlestoke". Could I make it 3 from 3 here? This one is 10 months since last found which would have made an even greater addition to the tally. With the CO's recent confirmation that it's still there, it was certainly worth a shot.

I quickly found b@w's manhole and knew from his log that I must be close. But after 20 minutes of getting nowhere, I resorted to a PAF. Some of the natural features that I described were absent from my PAF's memory, which made things even harder. After another 10 minutes, I decided to leave it for another time (and will bring the CITO gloves). Looks like the brush turkeys have been through!!!

No such Luck, after my gardening skills on my hands and knees, absorbing just under an hour, TFTH

Back to the woods....

Was well aware of it being inactive but couldn't wait for the pain of another Alfyboy challenge.
Checked lumber then resorted to check elsewhere without luck until the 30min buzzer went off on the phone. Will now wait on the CO here.

Needs a check.

Given up on erlestoke until a find or the CO confirms it's there so thought I'd go in for more frustration here. At east didn't get leeched. Scouted around the trees and the cover but no luck. Back when I see a smile or a CO comment.

Twice been here now getting frustrated!!!

Hmm maybe 10 minutes isn't enough to find this one...

Couldn't find it, I'm really useless at these hard hides and I don't even know why I try.... I suppose the knowledge that the more I try the more I'll get (maybe!!!) I have found one of alfyboys other caches at Earlstoke and thought I might be lucky but alas, not so today.

I really should stop trying to find bush micros - I'm getting less and less interested in them for any number of reasons...
Got to GZ and looked around. Found a spot that literally screamed "Micro", and within 1 metre of bella at waggy's manhole.
Spent too long. Left too frustrated.

Wood we find it this time. Yes! After two DNF's, the last in falling light it was time to make amends. We had asked the CO it the hide was neat he man hole and the reply was what man hole? We can confirm it you are near the man hole you are not too far away and realised our first visit had us in slightly different location. Having had a few hints from pas hiders we dug deep and final found this one. We completed the signing duties and re hid. TFTC

This entry was edited by bella at waggy on Sunday, 13 July 2014 at 11:38:47 UTC.

Almost a year to the day and the same result. Tried a PAF but still no go so with fading light and too many options it was time to call it quits for another day

Got it!
Thanks for your help on this one rainbow spirit, finally was able to locate the needle in the haystack!
Thanks Alfy for the challenge, finally got it on our 70th find...

FINALLY! It took a call to Blue Mountains PAF P/L to show me the errors of my ways over this one. WOOD it be here indeed.....No wonder I couldn't find it, I was looking for something that it was not..

Spent around 20 min this afternoon looking for this one, just before it started to rain.
Looking for a micro in the overgrown bush is like a needle in a haystack. I thought if I stayed any longer I might have started talking to the basket ball which is near GZ! Hope I'm on the right side of the creek!! I really hate asking for clues, but I may have to on this one...

The CO owed me a favour, so I got the best hint ever!?!

I know why I wasted too much times st visit.

TFTC.

My fourth dnf, a 20/25 found/dnf ratio, a cache the CO can hardly find, last found in Dec' 2012....What was I thinking?

I spent forty five minutes here, with no luck.

I shall return.

(I thought I had DNFd a milestone, but I had miscounted!?!)

No luck for me as not my day!!!

you know you're right on top of it but 20 minutes of searching and thinking and searching and what time is it again, think I need to go find coffee and try this one another day

Came back ready to replace the cache and had one more search. HA, there you are you little cache you. Checked the log and it's still dry and has more room for signatures. All good to go! Come and find me!

Cache missing. Making a replacement now.

Well, well, well...A cache hidden so well the CO can't find it?? I cant seem to locate this one , and as the area doesn't attract many muggles, I think this may have gotten lost in the ever growing natural flora in the area. I will replace shortly.

Went for a cache check and it was just on dusk. Torch in hand I had a tough time trying to find this one myself. There seems to be regrowth in the area. Then is was too dark to continue. I am disabling this cache to come back and check when it's light soon.

The GPSr had us on the wrong side of the creek to start with but a hop, skip and a jump put us on the correct side. Things then bounced around trying to work out which patch was GZ. After a long search its a DNF

This entry was edited by bella at waggy on Tuesday, 09 July 2013 at 08:30:06 UTC.

2nd try on this one to finish up the day. Unfortunately the result was the same as the last time. Tried a few different things this time around but obviously none of them were correct. Hmmm, I think I need a hint from someone!

Out with pdbunce & Footyfanatics on an extremely hot summer Sunday. I enjoyed this one. Made the find about 20 mins in on my first visit but would be dishonest to say we didn't have an idea of what we were looking for (care of previous visits and clues from Footyfanatics). Was dreading logging a DNF but finally had CIH. Cache showing signs of wear but far from damaged. If anything, if not replaced properly it might make it easier to find.

Out with evangt & footyfanatics on this hot summer day. Footyfanatics had been to this one a few times with no success, but armed with some clues we were able to find it. Great to have extra eyes on the ground! TFTC

Found it on a hot Sunday morning out with evangt and pdbunce. At long last we've found this one, but it did take another 20 minutes and a couple of clues from the CO. As per the previous log the camo is decaying but is still tricky. TFTC

Bit puzzled as to how I missed this last time, but I guess it happens. In the interim I was corresponding with the CO about a find elsewhere so I decided to ask for a hint. His hint confirmed what I had more or less figured, so on my return today (after a DNF at Shepherd's) I set to work once again.

Still took about 10 minutes to find the cache. The camo looks like it may have decayed a little over the last few months, but it still works well. Thanks alfyboy.

it took me a while to find it but after all i found it

Didn't find it, we were back here again today armed with a clue from the co but still no luck.

This was my 2nd of 3 alfyboy caches this afternoon. The area of GZ is pretty obvious, especially with the clue. But I had no joy. I looked for things that fitted the previous finders' logs but even after slowly inspecting most everything, I couldn't find it. I was taking a very much eyes down approach.

I'll keep an eye on this one and think it over, thanks alfyboy. Nice little grove too!

Went caching with smiley247aust. Smiley found it. TFTC

Didn't find it. Back here again, this time with the garmin (which wasn't much help as it was jumping all over the place. The area is a lot tidier now which gave us some hope (we even found some of the same branches as last time) but again no luck. We'll be back.

Found it!
The last two Alfyboy caches we have attempted have resulted in DNF's the first time round, so it was with anticipation that we attempted this cache, knowing we were up for a challenge. But, knowing that that a cache check and a find had been recorded in the last few days helped to build the confidence, and we started to think that maybe this thing would be find-able!
After ten minutes of fruitless searching we reviewed the past logs (again!) and picked up a hint we had not noticed earlier. A new search method was employed and the cache was found a minute later. Woot woot!
Thanks Alfyboy for a clever and challenging cache.

After seeing the DNF's for this and some from good cachers was rather sceptical about finding this. After hearing about Alfyboy cache's from Cybermew3 we knew it would be challenging. Nano's in the wood are often hard but we persevered to find it and Geowife came up trumps only to find we didn't have a pen. Geodaughter went back to car to find pen only to admit she'd forgotten to bring one doh!!!

Returned to car to find the car battery had failed us, a nice helpful neighbour volunteered to help and soon had us going again and gave us a pen. This was a welcome surprise and restored my faith in humanity. Thank you kind neighbour who every you were as you made fathers day special for me.

SL TNLN TFTC Alfyboy will be sure to get your others

This entry was edited by English Ian and Co on Monday, 03 September 2012 at 03:24:48 UTC.

Walked the dog and came past for a cache check. While the area has been 'prunned' and cleaned, GZ is still ok and the cache has blended in very well with its surroundings. Log slightly damp, but AOK. Cache On!

Didn't find it on a chilly sunday morning, the council has been spraying and cutting the surrounding bush and have left it in a mess. We looked for about 15 minutes but then decided that we wouldn't find it today.

Sorry Alfyboy, you got me with this one. I'm not up for these sort of hides anyway.

Tried thinking a bit outside the box once at GZ, but despite about 20 minutes in the forest came up empty handed. Hmmm, lots of possible hiding spots if it's in the greenery.

Came past while walking the dog and thought I'd do a cache check. Found it nicely blended with its surroundings. Log dry as well. Rehid and increased the difficulty rating by half, as this one's had more DNF's than founds.

Second visit and still couldn't find it. Last time I was using my iPhone and arrived to find a search crew in action, that was the day before the initial find.

Today I had the Garmin and the help of the clue. I have to believe we were in the right area, but it made no difference if we looked high or low - we couldn't find it.

Thanks Alfyboy for the ongoing challenge.

No luck yet again, and we had a paf tell us exactly what we were looking for!

I have come here prevously with no luck. Fortunately, I know alfyboy and we happened to be catching up this weekend. We walked down to GZ and only spent 2 minutes looking for the cache - that indeed I have never seen before - logged my visit and replaced. Thanks alfyboy for a great cache!

With the noted GZ scraped out by a previous cacher I set my sites on the newly formed mulchpile slightly to the west.
It was too much for me.
Sticks and stone may .... certainly, this case "sticks"

CO cache check! Funny story actually. I came past to check a few weeks back with another cacher and we spent around 20 min looking for it in the fading light. It must be well hidden if the CO can't find it Anyway, found today with a little cache creep, but only 1 metre or so. Still in GZ. It's in good order and I had a read of the logs. Thanx for the comments. Go get it.

Despite some very clear instructions from two cachers as to what I was looking for, I came up with a very frustrating DNF again...

Tricky....tricky hide but geomum found this one first....good luck to it's next victim...TFTC....3rd find & Happy Fathers Day...

It was getting dark, I had left the torch in the car, I pafed, I scratched about, no luck for me today, maybe some other time.

Needed quite a bit of help on this one. A very sneaky hide indeed. Well done Alf.
SL TFTC

Well, we thought we would be here for ages but it turned out to be at the first place we looked!! The thing that took a while was realizing we left the pen in the car so having to climb up and down the slippery slope more times than needed. Loved the container!! Thanks Alfyboy!

This entry was edited by smitchnstu on Sunday, 21 August 2011 at 12:22:59 UTC.

Spent an hour in the dark and light rain tonight foraging around with no result. Have no idea where gz is as none of the clues makes sense to me and the GPS wants to do a 20 metre square dance.
Even pah failed to shed much light on the situation. I know I'll be back, but I am starting to develop a real dislike of micros in the bush

PS - Congrats on a tough hide Alf!!!

#624

Happy INTERNATIONAL GEOCACHING DAY everyone!!!!

What better way to celebrate IGD than to complete a SECOND Alfyboy cache!!!

I was a bit concerned about this one as I had noticed some eminent geocachers had logged DNF's. Still, I enjoy the challenge so set of undaunted to find this Level 3 Difficulty cache. I soon arrived in the cul-de-sac above GZ and found a "cachers path" that would lead me to the hide. Upon arrival, there was the cache sitting there in plain view. Well, did I feel a bit ripped off as I didn't get to hunt for a proper Level 3 Difficulty cache!! The largish log was retrieved and signed. I returned the cache with some more camouflage so hopefully it is now back to its rightful difficulty level. Despite the ease of my find, I was most impressed with this cache concept. Well done Alfyboy. Two of your caches on International Geocaching Day...WOOHOO!!

Found by Nanny and Bo on a pleasant Tuesday afternoon.
When we arrived there were no crowds of spectators gathered, unlike yesterday.
The (new) extra clue narrowed the search area and the fact that it may been handled by any searchers and not noticed and also luck, lead us to find it within minutes today.
A unique camo!
SL.
TNLN.
TFTC.

Found after a short time searching with a couple of fellow cachers. Great hide. Tftc.

Just back from the mountains at 1:30am . . .

Will be at 'Wood' GZ around 11am . . .

Looks like fun . . .

Had a thought about something I didn't look at closely yesterday. No luck there but nearby, spied something a little strange. Can I say "BAM"?
Really Alfyboy, after all that geocaching has given you, this is your payback.
Sneaky but nicely done. Thanx!

Was only here for a few minutes with 3stars and steveishere when 3stars came up with the hide! Great to meet a few more cachers and great chatting afterwards thanks alfy another good one!!! Now it's Patrick's turn to find... He's right here

This entry was edited by Cybermew3 on Monday, 15 August 2011 at 06:30:33 UTC.

Nanny and Bo were here on an overcast Monday afternoon.
We joined the list of DNF after about half an hour here.
The area has been well trodden down, but still no "Finds"!

I had an ineffectual search, during which I apparently handled the cache container several times . . .

Then Yurt arrived and found it . . .

Many thanks to alfyboy for a challenging cache.

Was good to see my fellow geocachers at GZ.

Popped in and found 3stars here today then cybermew turned then within 3mins.3stars said he found it. Well "wooden" you know its "not" what we thought. Well done alfyboy.thanks 3stars.
Great to meet every one again and cybermew.
Sorry about the the torment pjmpjm it was 3stars idea!
SL.TFTC.
Steveishere.

This entry was edited by steveishere on Monday, 15 August 2011 at 06:02:00 UTC.

This entry was edited by steveishere on Monday, 15 August 2011 at 06:02:11 UTC.

Nice to meet Yurt at last as well

This entry was edited by Cybermew3 on Monday, 15 August 2011 at 06:33:17 UTC.

Hurry up pjmpjm we have to go to work. The funny thing is he never asked us were it is and now it has moved 50 cms.


This entry was edited by steveishere on Monday, 15 August 2011 at 06:16:24 UTC.

Wait on there has been some development looks like yurt had put pjm out of his missery.yep found it. We can all go back to work now.one wonders if he would have found it today.

This entry was edited by steveishere on Monday, 15 August 2011 at 06:16:53 UTC.

I was thinking I should have taken a 'before' shot of this area yesterday as there's now a well worn track in there. Not to worry, it's only weeds in that area anyway, not pristine rainforest.

Well I'd heard tell that a posse was being put together to finally round this one up after the initial 7 DNFs. The news that Baktrak had found it didn't reduce the interest and I arrived on site without a GPSr (left in the car) to find 3Stars, steveishere and cybermew (nice to meet you at last too) on sentry duty as pjmpjm searched GZ. I wasn't sure what was going on but as I arrived I felt my phone vibrate and there was a found log from 3Stars. Hmmm but have the others found it yet?

They seem to have given up and were content to watch as pjmpjm laboured. I don't work well under surveillance so I was happy to just scan the area for something that looked out of place but "had never been done before". Then I felt the phone vibrate a couple of times and the other watchers put in their found logs. So this was all about watching poor pjmpjm search? I did actually read out to him that some guys with similar names to these guys had just logged finds but he mustn't have heard me. A few more humorous logs came in.

Then I spotted something that pjmpjm must have already 'handled' and I made the find showing to him straight away. Interesting idea and I may have seen something a bit like it in my 880 GC finds but not many. Signed the log, relieved to have this one crossed off.
You guys are too cruel![:o)]

Thanks, alfyboy. What are you going to do next?

Published

Could not find it after a 30 min search. I was wary of destroying too much vegetation and nothing was obvious ofcourse. GPS lock was another issue as well.

Leo

Not 7, it's 8 DNFs! After heading back from a more western cache we dropped by, joining the party trying to find GZ. I didn't need to worry too much about iPhone wandering all over the place, I was in good company and there was reasonable agreement on where to look. It was nice to meet up with some fellow cachers.

At one point I picked something up and thought - this could be it! But after close examination, and a second opinion, it was dismissed.

It's great to have some caches that hang around as FTF opportunities because no one can find them. I'll have to get back here, and to CM66! Thanks Alfyboy.

Had 5 minutes there this morning but had
to go. Looks tricky! First to DNF!

Well it looks like Iam first home to log my DNF after meeting fellow caches at the posted cords we spent at least 2 hours there with nothing but shin splints upset kids,upset partners wondering where the B#@!* hell we were? We finally decided that that we were all to hungry and thirsty to press on.
All our GPS were bouncing around and giving us a headache so with no real GZ fix we pulled out with no log signed.
3 difficulty HMMMM me wonders if a 4 rating is necessary?
Steveishere

With our inability to get a good GPS read, I stayed for a little while, didn't look for the cache too hard as I spent more time simply trying to find GZ.

Stevewasthere, Iwasthere, and otherswasthere. Wood the cache be there? That we do not know. Good catching (caching?) up with you guys.

Got to within 15 metres of GZ and followed one of numerous new cache trails. No need to for GPSr here. GZ has been flattened, scraped, rearranged... by previous cachers. Stayed for a few minutes and zeroed in on the coords with no results. ....disturbing little.. not that you'd know. I'll be back in a few months or so.

Well what can i say ... went there with extreme and met up with a few new faces. After a while of searching it was time to go home and leave the FTF to someone else. Goodluck guys.

Hmmmm I've only just woken up from a loooooong night been waiting for this one a little while not sure that I'll head out today for it though!!!