Splash n' Cache: Pirate Creek Lansvale, New South Wales, Australia
By The Hancock Clan on 20-Aug-12. Waypoint GC3V258

Time to go...

This geocacher reported that there is a problem with this cache.

Couldn't find this one today- probably still there but there also seemed a lot of debris up higher- when this creek floods it must get pretty high. Oh well.

Enjoyed the paddle along here. Saw a waterdragon, some kingfishers, and heard various other birds. Just couldn't find the cache. Bad luck. TFTH

Found with Orrsome86 on a day trip full of kayaking down Sydney way. Leaving Newcastle early we made good time. Launched and found three, before a DNF on land, moved to a new location and found most of the splash 'n cache series (DNFing two of them). Ten water access caches in one day plus a couple other random ones.
Nearly gave up on this one. Eventually found it. As a fully submerged cache, it was understandably wet. Fortunately we still got our names on the log. Definitely needs a look at.
Thanks for the paddle and cache!

Tombi and i had wanted to get these rarer DT combinations for quite a while however we were never able to line up a suitable time. With a second baby due in the next month and a bit there was a self imposed time limit on me get them before i step away from the more extended caching adventures. We set off reasonably early from Newcastle and after paddling around Cataract Gorge near Douglas Park we headed over to this series.
We found a boat ramp near the sail away traditional cache and made this our launch point. We headed north first and went anti clockwise around the lake. This was our fifth stop. We followed a fishing boat up the creek and as always we both stopped in the same spot. We shuffled along the creek in the kayak searching for the cache and eventually the fishing boat moved along so we could search more thoroughly. we searched high and low and both sides of the creek. Read through past logs and was surprised when someone said they were on top of it when they found it. Eventually Tombi spotted a glimmer of something submerged under the water. Log book is soaked but we managed to somehow scribe our name on a piece of write in the rain paper. TFTC

OCW the Bebes and Everest High. We searched a bit on each side of the creek and then stopped to gather our thoughts. As we looked around to set off searching again the Bebes spotted the cache. We were literally on top of it!!! Needs a bit of maintenance as log is ruined by water damage. Tftc

OCW The Bebes and PelDroedGwin. This was the sixth of ten water caches we found today by kayak. This one blends in so well with its surroundings that it took a while to see it, even when The Bebes was sitting in the kayak right next to it. Unfortunately the cache container was full of water, but we managed to SL and drain the water. TFTC The Hancock Clan

OCW PelDroedGwin and EverestHigh with the aim of finishing this watercraft series that I began back in December last year. PDG had paddled with me then but hadn't officially logged the finds.....today he'd do the complete series along with EverestHigh.

Enjoyed the paddle, there was hardly a breeze and water was super flat.

This was my final find on the water however I paddled along with the others so they could complete the series.

With GZ showing as in the middle of the river we paused to read previous logs and just as we decided which side to start, I turned around and spotted the cache less then a metre away LOL

TFTC

Took a while to find this one. Pointer apparatus had trouble finding the right direction.
A very warm April morning.
Container is very very wet, stuff inside the snap log bag is black mush, somebody has put a "write as rain" log in there so there was something to sign (thank you)
TFTC THC.

Thanks oldmorty & marj01 for replacing the log!

Woo-hoo, another day out caching with marj01. Where do you have in mind I ask. How about a visit to Chipping Norton Lake; I have a couple of kayaks, he replies. Now I haven't been in a kayak for more than a few times in my lifetime, what could go wrong. The worst thing that could happen would be to fall out. I can swim, so I decided to accept the challenge. We left Little Bay at 5.15am and the plan was to cut down on the amount of paddling by launching the kayaks at three separate locations. After finally getting access to the park we again launched the kayaks and I must say it was a lot easier launching from a boat ramp. Once under way we crossed the river and headed up Pirate Creek to GZ, first trying one side and then the other following a lead in the previous logs and it was soon CIH for a bit of log signing on a new log. TFTC THC.

Our first longer voyage across the mighty Georges River, to seek fortunes. Oldmorty spotted a banded lizard guardian, lazily watching his booty. The treasure was found, though log had seen better days. Oldmorty brang out his repair kit and in went a nice new wet weather log.
TFTC

A day in Sydney today to meet some of the Sydney cachers for the annual Christmas party and to swap some stories... and since it was close by, to complete the Splash and Cache series by kayaking with the whole family (including geokids aged 4 and 5) through the southern half of lake system.

This one was first on our agenda, and to be honest we almost turned back after this one. Miss 5 had a complete meltdown when in our efforts to get in under the trees on the creek we dropped some spiders down onto the kayak. Oops. Tears, screams, shaking - almost threw the GPS overboard. It took several minutes for her to regain composure and remember that only a few days ago she’d let a daddy long legs run around on her arm... we got there in the end.

The battle to find the cache was long and fought with anger and frustration. Eventually we read some logs that said try the OTHER side of the creek, and sure enough, there it was. But too rancid to write on. We have added a photo.

I doubt I can convince my daughter to come back. “Are all the rest under trees Daddy???” Er... bugger. TNLN TFTC

#1841
It has been nearly 12 months since I visited the southern part of these waters with KRS. At that time we only made one find with 3 DNFs. Today I returned with Gatherer Hade on a nice spring day - hoping for some better stats.

So far, we had managed 4 from 4 in just over 2 hours. If we don't take too long with this one, we might be able to squeeze in one or two more further south. Well that was wishful thinking. Let me summarise by saying we spent far too long searching on the wrong side. I searched on land while GH searched by sea. Nothing! I got back in the yak and made a quick tour of the opposite bank but iPhone kept pointing my back to the other side until.... it pointed to the other side. After we both focused our efforts on the other side, I caught a glimpse of something promising and shortly afterwards, we extracted a bag containing a soggy log that had turned black with mould. No way we were going to be able to sign that. Neither of us had paper of any sort with us, so we turned to nature and signed a leaf which we carefully wrapped in the bag and stored back in its container. I don't expect the leaf to survive too long, but the log definitely needs to be replaced anyway.

As it was now close to 2pm, GH had to head home, so we crossed the ditch, strapped one of the yaks onto my roof racks and parted ways. I was still keen to avenge my DNFs from last time so headed back out for some more punishment.

TFTC The Hancock Clan

#4522 (5 of 5 today)

Top day out with **Crash2079** plundering the caching riches in northern half of Chipping Norton Lake. He'd mentioned a while back that he had a second kayak, and at a recent event I'd mentioned these caches - that neither of us had done (well he'd found one on the southern section).
We were originally going to do it last week, but the weather looked iffy, so we rescheduled to today.

We went for all five north of the launch point, and found all of them. I had to head off (Geoson #1 off to Europe tonight) and **Crash** decided to go for the southern ones after I left.

Top day - only ended up in the water once - bargain! And two new D/T combinations for me.

Thanks again to **Crash2079** for the company and the equipment. And the CO of course for the caches.
###END OF CUT AND PASTE SECTION###
My final for the day - might have squeezed in one more time wise, but then we would both have had to come back and stow one yak. Best I call it here.

And that's because this one took us a long, long time.
I'm sure I looked at every branch within 25 metres overhanging the water on one side of the creek while **Crash2079** did the same from land.
But we spotted nothing. The interesting readings though were suggesting the cache in the middle of the creek. So could it be on the other side?

The short answer was "YES", and in fact once close I could see it from a reasonable distance.
We extracted a mouldy log. Only thing for it was to sign a leaf. My pen just wanted to go through it but **Crash** manged to write on the thing - top job!

As **Crash2079** has logged, this one needs maintenance.
Replaced and set course for the boat ramp where I had a change of clothes... dry clothes!

Can't thank my companion today too much for the company and the yak. We should do this again.
Headed home so I could see Geoson #1 off on his trip to Europe.

SLeafTNLN
TFTC

This geocacher reported that the log is soaking wet and mouldy. Needs replacing.

Second of 6 finds today, out for a day on the water with my fellow C4 crew!
Haven't kayaked in a long time, but today Mighty Minion's supplied me with a yak to get out to these caches! (Thanks MM!) After a bit of getting used to the yak, we went straight across to our first cache up the creek. All was well, the panic was yet to start (for me at least, probably amusement for the others! :p)
TFTC Hancock Clan!

A day outing with Team Novo, Bare foot Jeff and lance91 to pick up some grid spaces we needed. We set of across the lake and headed straight to this nice little inlet. Team Novo made the find at this one assisted by bare foot Jeff . Thanks for the cache The Hancock Clan tnln sl

Down from the Central Coast for a day's kayaking on the lake, Mighty Minions, team novo, lance91 and I paddled across from the opposite shore, wending our way up the inlet and investigating various pieces of flotsam and jetsam before team novo spotted the cache. The log was rather damp but, with a suitable pen, we were still able to carefully sign it.

Many thanks for the hide.

A flotilla of C4 buccaneers consisting of Mighty Minions, lance91, barefootjeff, and myself (solo novo) down today to plunder some of this infamous Splash n' Cache booty. I think it was Capt. Mighty Minions who put out the initial call to head down Sydney way for some more seafarin' after the recent HAVOC Mary Hyde event and so the rest of us freebooters enthusiastically obliged. I have had these earmarked for a while as some are valuable DT grid spots so it was great to finally get down to give them a go!

Once our vessels were unloaded from the chariots and duffles stowed, we smartly made a westerly heading for our first coffer of the day; Pirate Creek ho! At GZ (or should I say WZ lol) we split up: two covering one bank and two of us covering the other and.. Blimey! Thar she blows right on the bow of me ship, moments before SS barefoot closed in to checkout the likely spot from another direction, effectively flanking me. We attempted to dry the soaking log a little before signing, performed the duties and re-hid as found. Cheers, The Hancock Clan. A very nice hide and great way to start the day/ kick off the series for us.
#470

We steered th' Lollipop up th' creek to th' sound 'o banjos 'n landed only to find th' land bore nothin fer a pair 'o scurvy seamen th' likes 'o us. Back we went through th' murky waters 'n finally spotted th' sneakily concealed treasure. A hearty thanks again to ye 'ancocks.

The good ship Lollipop set sail with 2 scurvy dogs this morning at 9am. Armed to the gunwhals they were chasing bull sharks and Hancocks series of treasures.. Captain Baktrak Ahab and PurpleBeard made fast work harpooning bull sharks. This one took a bit of searching back wards and forth. Finally Captain Ahab spotted the cleverly hiddden cache.

A fun day out, although the lake and the islands are really filthy with rubbish after all this rain.

SL TFTC

Out and about with some of the now infamous 'Socks & Sandals' Crew on the Georges River to grab and/or repair the Splash n' Cache series.
As usual, this was a hoot of a glorious day albeit a tad on the warm side, but having Seemyshells runabout with Aries 44 and Brewmaker himself and my liferaft in tow, it was indeed pleasant trip on the water.

This being #5 on our trip around we soon had cache in hand after a bit of zig zag. Hoisted the mizzen and headed out.

Thanks Boys for a fun day and thanks Hancock Clan for another fun filled day grabbing your caches.

**What a great day out on the water, stinking hot, sunburn, great mates, and something you dont see everyday, a tinny filled with Aries44, Brewmaker and Seemyshell, all while towing PipeDownUnder in his Kayak.
After guiding the boat into GZ, it became clear just how Brewmaker gained his Bandanged Bear. Looking constantly at his garmin while his head is going through trees and bushes, and sticks. hahahaha. Great Camo, although I spotted it a mile away, while A44 and Brew struggled. (Must be the age difference?), What an Adventure, TFTC & Series Hancock Clan.**
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On a very warm day, the SS Socks &Sandals took off for a day of caching around the lake to attempt the Spalsh n' Cache series. On board were the motley crew of Capatin Seemyshell, Lieutenant Aries 44, Midshipman Pipes_down_under, and Able Seaman Brewmaker myself.

I'm glad we did this in the runabout, as paddling in a kayak would have taken us all day. A succesful hunt for the booty saw us discover the treasure for all finds in the series, plus a few other bonus ones along the way.

This was #5 for the day. TFTC to The Hancock Clan. An enjoyable day with the S&S boys!

Borrocca on branch

OCW Seemyshell, Pipes Down Under and the Brewmaker in the S.S. S&S a sturdy sea-going vessel. The day was extremely hot but tempered at times with a cooling S/E Trade blowing. Pipes Down Under brought along his Yak and he settled in tow behind us to retrieve a man-over-board. If required.
Eyes open for pirates up here as we headed to where the ships compass indicated the direction to go. It had us crossing from one side to the other until things settled down and we glided in with A/S Brewmaker head-down in the binnacle narrowly avoided the pointy bits. The Cap'n spotted the prize and we soon were handing it around. Visited a TB and rehid nicely. TFTC The Hancock Clan.


This was #5 on the run and a great adventure.

Did not take me that long to discover this one. Great cammo however the lid has none on it any more. TFTC.

A particularly nice stretch of water here and we spread out to scout the cache. I exhausted my field and stopped to rethink, before discovering that I'd stopped at the cache.

This was a nicer paddle up this river away from the rubbish. We looked intensely everywhere but it was rassilon256 who stumbled upon this one in a most wonderfully camouflaged cache. TFTC!

This is a very nice of the river system. The water was still here and the river narrow making it very peaceful. I collected a daddy long legs in the kayak while rassilon256 collected a most well concealed cache in the best way possible. Thanks for bringing us here!

Found it with Dad (Kid Ron Satan) - see his log.

27/1/16. 2:20 PM. Cache #3455. Streak day #584.
3rd of 3 finds today - Thornleigh, Chipping Norton & Warwick Farm.

Last day of school for Yelyac and my birthday to boot, so a bit of fun was planned, kayaking and fishing. I chose to come here so we could get some caches as well.

Leaving the "Hoist the Mainsail" island, Yelyac & I returned to the lake and paddled around its edge to this little tributary , then followed it north to GZ. We tried both sides, though the signal was stronger right in the middle, which seemed to match the satellite photo. After a bit more searching according to the hint, temptation gave in and I phoned a friend.

They confirmed the correct side and type of branch although their memory of the container was a little off. Eventually Yelyac made the find - a bit lower than what we'd been told but we were probably here on a higher tide. I paddled over and did the signing, then we headed south for "Barbossa's Peg Leg" (DNF'd). If there was a pencil in this one I may have inadvertently taken it with me, or it may have come from "Hoist". Sorry 'bout that.

Another find paddle, Cap'n Hancock. TFTC.
} : )

Inspired by the recent log I returned for another go at this cache.

Found it after a systematic search of the area, quite a way from the GPS position and the area I had searched previously.

Established that my earlier DNF was due to GPS error, which persisted for today's search.

TFTC log to follow

An ADO Adventure with bikerbuddy.

My car was getting services and we did a long lap to fill in time.

This was our fifth and I had to learn to duck while I kayaked!?! Once up the side stream it was a short trip to GZ where we made the find despite fearing the worst after the recent DNFs.

TFTC.

Comparing the satellite image with trees as they are now I suspect the entire tree supporting this cache is at the bottom of the creek, and the cache with it.

6379 Caches Found

Not this trip anyway the GPS had me heading from one side of the creek to the other, Will return when I come back to finish the series

Thanks for the great Adventure The Hancock Clan(8D)

Need a smaller boat with no canopy. We will return!

After the whole season almost gone by without us having time to bring out our kayak, now was the time to do it. We have to say that the lake was not a very pleasant place, full with rubbish wherever you went, and also being almost run over by jetskis whose owners either can not read or chose to ignore the 8 knot speed limit signs.

A nice and charming location, hadn't it been for all rubbish in and out of the water.

The GPS was not very happy here under the trees, but systematically searching locations matching the hint eventually had us finding the nicely camoed cache.

Mr Hancock had been making noises for some time about doing maintenance on this series, so a suggested an afternoon paddle. He got to sit in the back and chuckle whilst I searched. Thankfully I managed to avoid disgracing myself by having to ask for help....

TFTC

Probably easier from water

After a bit of a break from cache hunting, i decided to bring my Christmas present out for a splash. Well hidden tftc. Left a klown as a guardian.

Up the creek we paddled. It was quite peaceful away from the powered craft on the main lake and the tide was on the flood. Before long we were at the cache locale and we consulted the GPS. First it took us to one side, then the middle and then the other side. We consulted the hint which indicated a couple of possibilities and after a bit of a hunt Lady Altaire spotted the cleverly camouflaged cache. Very well done - doubt any muggles will spot this one. Nice spot.

Finally bought a kayak, so time to catch up with all those caches I couldn't do before. Weather was almost perfect today, although it got warm quit quickly. A really great series to do this one. Really loved the paddle up this creek. Felt like you were miles out of the city.
TFTC Wilbert67

Word was out early in the week that we HAVOC'ers should set sail today for fine weather and some booty haulin' down south.
The crew arrived at the nearby docks and rigged for light winds and some easy sailing. Two single seat scowels and a twin cargo ship made there way on an outgoing tide in search of treasure.
Cap'n Senz and First Mate Shanno lead the way, well, more this way and that, all day..
I, the DOC scouted for landfalls and new recruit GeoIan, brung up the rear defence, the flank defense and bit here defense, there defence and even over there defence....but this could all of been due to sheer rudder malfunction or disuse

Spotted this here booty with me spy glass from way off, navigating to it was a different matter though.

[green] - Found It on Saturday ... at 10:07 AM ...
TFTC! - [blue]The Hancock Clan[/blue] ... [/green]
Total Finds now ... 1076
[blue] This log was posted with CacheSense v4.105, available on Android and BlackBerry ![/blue]

Today we ventured down to Sydney from Newcastle, in company of DOC-WHO and GeoIan. The list for today involved 14 T5 geocaches, but we only managed to get 11 for the day.

Another quick find when we reach GZ, all the hint were very informative. DOC-WHO made the honors of signing this one for us. TFTC

Into dangerous waters , and up the creek with Doc-Who and Team Senz. Easy paddling in these waters, thank goodness. 6th cache for the day. TFTC

My fifth Splash n Cache found. This was a tricky find. At first as I paddled up the creek I saw either an algal bloom, or some other scum covering most of the creek. I didn't want to get wet in this area.
At GZ, my device was leading me to the middle, where the cache could have been on either side, so a longer search was at hand.
A very well disguised cache! I left therewith sticks and other tree memorabilia covering me and my craft.

Approximately a year ago, I attempted all the other caches in this series, except for this one. Why? Cause I somehow missed it on the map !?!

Today I cam back, kayakless, but determined. Got to reasonable close to where it was, and then swam around looking for it. If I stop finding caches in the next month, it is probably that I got some fatal lurgy from the water. Anyway, after a bit of dog paddling around, I spotted it. With a bit of agility, I had the log out, signed it, and put it back, without getting it wet

1950 GAFF1 Always nice to reprieve a DNF. A year later I have my own plastic K1, as I wasn't too comfortable in getting so far off the beaten track in an inflatable. Took about 5 minutes to see the attachment and then locate the cache.
TNLN
Brought through for mileage: 12-12-12 Event, 3 Bros NSW, Auckland NZ'13, BEAGLE BIXBY, B 2 B Travel ingot, BROWN BEAR 15, Captain Toonz California Raisin, Christmas Joy Geocoin, Coin of Danmark, DyerMkr's Copper Triple Dragon Geocoin, Friends of The Arkaroo, Geocachers Day Geo Coin, GeoCookie Geocoin, Horace, Iconic Bridges 2012, KING KACHE, land rover, cache critters Baa, Neigh Neddy, and Oink, NZ Mega 2013 GCookie Coin, PAP, Raban, Rienan TB, steben6's DNF Duo - Super Cacher Geocoin, The Lord of the caches - Earth, Trakabulldog geocoin, VIRGINia TAG, and trackable shirts.
TFTC The Hancock Clan

Geomum and I were way ahead of geodad and geoboy, so we decided to continue on to this cache before heading back to the boat ramp for lunch. Communicating with the others from a couple hundred metres away turned out to be a challenge - but eventually we got the message across for them to head to the boat ramp while we went the other way.

After a nice paddle up the much calmer river to this cache, we found the cache. Nice camo but a little hard to access the log!

A favourite for the camo and for the series.

Thanks Hancock Clan.

Coordinates changed from:
S 33° 54.233 E 150° 56.935

Coordinates changed to:
S 33° 54.235 E 150° 56.943

Distance from original: 42.1 feet or 12.8 meters.
Replaced cache today & moved the location slightly

Checked on this one today and replaced the cache

I headed up pirate creek to the GZ, but despite a lengthy search, the booty eluded me.

Can the owner please check that it's still there.

Had a good look around but this one eluded us today.

Aye me hearty clan, DNF today, searched high, searched low, searched up, searched down. Will watch and wait and try again. TFTC

#1731- This was the first of my adventurous kayak around the lake today. bikerbuddy came with me, though he had already found all except this one. So he wanted to start here as the waters were fairly high at the time. A quick find this time for him, which meant also for me. The paddle across here from the boat ramp was easy- Thanks.

This entry was edited by WaywardWoman on Thursday, 10 January 2013 at 06:40:26 UTC.

I came here in November and found all the caches in the series except this one. The coordinates were moved some time after my DNF. At the time I tried to use the clue, but I expanded my search in the wrong direction.

Today, I returned with the WaywardWoman to accompany her on her voyage about the lake. We did this cache first. This time the coordinates were spot on and I spotted the cache immediately. I didn't feel so bad about November's DNF, then, since it gave me something to log for today. Thanks for this series.

Coordinates changed from:
S 33° 54.223 E 150° 56.935

Coordinates changed to:
S 33° 54.233 E 150° 56.935

Distance from original: 60.6 feet or 18.5 meters.

Congratulations to those that found this one and apologies to those that struggled. I realised today after rechecking the coords that I'd inputted one of the digits wrongly on the cache page, Doh!

My only DNF of the day. I initially got out of the kayak and sunk up to my knees in mud. That's not good, I thought. I checked the logs and confirmed what I suspected - I didn't need to get out of the boat. I got back in and searched for quite a while. I gave up and went to find the rest of the series. I returned after I had found the rest of the caches, but a long look still didn't reveal it. Oh woe!

0250 - 0310 Yeah, I know.
Was following the minor geotrail around, but couldn't find anything that matched the additional hint, but should have read the previous logs it seems. Oh well, there are always more caches to come back to. I will just have to borrow the inflatable canoe again.
Anyway, thanks for the cache series.

As others have noted there is no need to go overland to find this cache. We heeded MV's log and found the cache a little down stream of our original search area. Thanks to the SES for providing the flood boats and THC for providing the cache series.

(Formally Bug-Juice)...Sorry about the late log but forgot to log these great caches. I ventured out to this lake with J+J.au and baja.15. We found three of the series first and then completed the others in good time. Thanks Hancock Clan for placing this series here and thanks to me fellow cachers for a fun day. SL

Reperio at 0830. Joint FTF with Team Unibolt!

We headed up this lovely little creek to GZ, but when we arrived, the coords were telling us it was further in on land, so with a little difficulty finding a place to moor, we headed up to see what we could find. We got to GZ and found nothing really there, so it was decided that the cache had to be by the waters edge, and upon looking a little harder this time, we spotted what we had missed on the way in. Having two in the canoe certainly helped with retrieving this one, as I steadied the ship while Unibolt signed the log.

Gratias Hancock Clan.

Out caching with Bugjuice and Baja15, the river is stunning and this is a great series you have put together, we are really enjoying the cachers.cheers

Hmmm well what can I say but my balancing act came unstuck. Do not do this at low tide, it is unreachable........ unless you stand up in your kayak. Sounds good to me, but just one problem the bank is made of very slippery, sucky mud. I have good balance it'll be ok I tell myself. Look there it is just grab the branch. Yeah no problem, up I go, grab the branch the kayak moves a little and I fell in..... I have never laughed so hard, it would have been a sight to see, covered in sucky gluey mud, but no one was around so it's my little secret, but I just had to share that with you. Cache is still safe and sound and dry just like the other one.

Up the creek we went. The water is a bit clouded which had us wondering how shallow it was getting. Made it up and back without hearing any bumps so all's good. We actually wondered how someone in a canoe or kayak would manage here. Had a laugh reading previous log. SL..TFTC

** Joint FTF with Marcus Vitruvius **
It was a lovely day for a trip up pirate creek, it was a really nice paddle to the GZ, upon arrival the GPSr was indicating 15 meters onto dry land, should have realized that a bunch of swash buckling sea dogs wouldn't have hidden a land locked cache. So after a bit of searching it was located and signed in a manner befitting someone with good sea legs. TFTC

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