John Fensham Memorial Sanctuary (Wairarapa) Carrington, North Island, New Zealand
By
-jimmac- on 16-Feb-14. Waypoint GC4YM9P
Cache Details
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By visiting the external cache listing you are leaving the Geocaching Australia website.
Geocaching Australia is not affiliated with the original listing site for this cache.
Please click here to view the caches listing.
If you wish to log this cache, you will need to log it on the external site.
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Logs
Have been by here twice now and (even though there is evidence of others foraging about) Ive drawn a blank. Scratching my head a bit as so many have said this is an easy find.
A nice quick find on a lovely walk around the sanctuary. Thanks for placing your cache. Ms_KR and I are off on another North Island tour, visiting family, art galleries and caches. Today we drove and cached our way from Masterton to Wellington, under fine skies for the most part.Occassionally signed MK+KR on cache logs, and apologies for the generic logs.Thanks to all CO's for publishing and maintaining their caches.
Started with this one. A favorite point for such delightful bush. Thank you -jimmac-
A day in the Wairarapa today beginning in Featherston, then onto Martinborough, over to Carterton and behind then down to Greytown for the night. 18 Ad labs, 22 trads, 22 mystery and 1 multi, 4 muggled out so didn't look and only one DNF.
Have had the John Fensham reserve in my sights for a long time but never gotten around to it. Today rectified that and really enjoyed the wander around the bush.
A quick find to start the loop. Thanks for the cache.
Have had the John Fensham reserve in my sights for a long time but never gotten around to it. Today rectified that and really enjoyed the wander around the bush.
A quick find to start the loop. Thanks for the cache.
Hard to believe it has been 8 years since the last time I was here. A pleasant stroll through the bush to make the find. TFTC
While doing some geocaching out in the Wairarapa area today, I decided it would be a good idea to walk around this reserve, finding the geocaches hidden in it.
This was the second geocache I found in this reserve today. I was having a very enjoyable walk around this reserve, having just recently found the nearby 'Gang of Five'. I skipped hunting for the cache atop the lookout due to muggles occupying the area, so decided I would return at a later stage.
After a few minutes of walking down the hill from the lookout, I arrived at GZ. I figured this cache wouldn't be too difficult to find, though I hate to admit, this one took me a lot longer than I had hoped for. At first, my GPS was consistently guiding me into an area of bush which I was unable to locate the cache in. My GPS would then guide me to an open area where there was no sign of any reasonable item resembling the actual hint object. I did check a few nearby potential hint objects, though I was very skeptical about them as they were significantly larger than I would anticipate.
After a bit more unsuccessful searching, I decided to check another area nearby which I hadn't already looked at. To my relief, I instantly spotted the hint object and began making my way over to it. Sure enough, I then very quickly found the cache. The container and its contents were in excellent condition. I signed the log before replacing and continuing on my way.
TFTC
This was the second geocache I found in this reserve today. I was having a very enjoyable walk around this reserve, having just recently found the nearby 'Gang of Five'. I skipped hunting for the cache atop the lookout due to muggles occupying the area, so decided I would return at a later stage.
After a few minutes of walking down the hill from the lookout, I arrived at GZ. I figured this cache wouldn't be too difficult to find, though I hate to admit, this one took me a lot longer than I had hoped for. At first, my GPS was consistently guiding me into an area of bush which I was unable to locate the cache in. My GPS would then guide me to an open area where there was no sign of any reasonable item resembling the actual hint object. I did check a few nearby potential hint objects, though I was very skeptical about them as they were significantly larger than I would anticipate.
After a bit more unsuccessful searching, I decided to check another area nearby which I hadn't already looked at. To my relief, I instantly spotted the hint object and began making my way over to it. Sure enough, I then very quickly found the cache. The container and its contents were in excellent condition. I signed the log before replacing and continuing on my way.
TFTC
Found on a day trip targeted at the Maths Journey series and a few other stragglers nearby that I hadn't found to date. Managed to find the Maths series at a rate of 12/hr, so it was all done in just over 1.5hrs, leaving plenty of time for the extra caches I had my eye on.
TFTC -jimmac-
TFTC -jimmac-
A quick easy find with the clear hint, after returning from the wetland cache. TFTC
After a days caching around the Wairarapa we took an evening stroll through this lovely little reserve which without geocaching we would not have known about. We left it a little late but enjoyed the walk and the birdsong. TFTC -jmmac
A quick find just as described in the hint. Another opportunity for Talla64 and I to find a cache in this delightful area. Thank you so much for the cache.
*Catching up on some long overdue logging*A group of Wellington cachers are staying for the weekend in the Wairarapa, courtesy of Twig's Tours - A fun adventure for all!!!Saturday was spent caching around Masterton and Greytown, while Sunday we had our sights set on heading up Mt Dick and grabbing some other caches around the Carterton area. As there was a number of caches around this walk it seemed like an obvious place to go.I had a limited time to cache before needing to head back to Lower Hutt. The walk took a little longer than expected but our group made good pace.This cache was a quick find and we were on our way again. Thanks for the cache.
There are a group of 10 us over here this weekend caching around and about the Wairapara. Today was a stunning day and having driven past here yesterday and been told it was a lovely bit of bush, once we looked at the 6 green dots it became a destination for our afternoon for some of us, before heading home to Wellie. The advice was right it is truly a lovely little gem to visit. Not a lot of time to spend here as the day had started getting away on us so we popped out of the track, found our cache and popped right back in again. TFTC.
I am spending this weekend in the Wairarapa, in the company of some great caching friends. So far it's been a great weekend of relaxing, caching, drinking, and talking complete nonsense (as you do). The weather yesterday wasn't the best, but this morning we woke to glorious sunshine and an appetite to just get out there and explore!
So after having a wonderful time visiting Mt Dick, followed by a treat of delicious ice creams, we decided that an hour strolling around the Fensham Reserve would be just the ticket. We decided to take the clockwise circuit starting from the eastern entrance.
Arriving near GZ, I made a beeline for where my phone took me and found a typical hide location, only I hadn't read the Hint but the Seagnoid had so he made the find about 1m away from where I was standing lol. No issues to report here, and we were soon back on our way again.
Thanks for placing this cache. The birdcall here today was delightful.
So after having a wonderful time visiting Mt Dick, followed by a treat of delicious ice creams, we decided that an hour strolling around the Fensham Reserve would be just the ticket. We decided to take the clockwise circuit starting from the eastern entrance.
Arriving near GZ, I made a beeline for where my phone took me and found a typical hide location, only I hadn't read the Hint but the Seagnoid had so he made the find about 1m away from where I was standing lol. No issues to report here, and we were soon back on our way again.
Thanks for placing this cache. The birdcall here today was delightful.
With 10 of us in Wairarapa for the weekend, and most of the objectives done yesterday, and one of our group having to head home in a few hours, what would be the best way to fill the time? I suggested this blob of green spots and soon we were over hear for a walk. What an awesome bit of bush! The trapping programme is working well, and the place is just alive with birds. Particularly tui, who were yelling at each other.
The reserve was badly mapped so just now I have fixed that. It will be available to you now depending on exactly what map you use (eg the geocaching app only seems to update every few months).
Many thanks to Fensham for making this place available, and for not milling the heck out of it.
Quick easy find at the obvious spot.
The reserve was badly mapped so just now I have fixed that. It will be available to you now depending on exactly what map you use (eg the geocaching app only seems to update every few months).
Many thanks to Fensham for making this place available, and for not milling the heck out of it.
Quick easy find at the obvious spot.
Found with Mrs Miramark. We have been staying at the nearby "Moonlight Peak" for our 17th Wedding Anniversary.
We decided to have a quick look at this nearby reserve before heading home.
We wandered down from the Belvedere Rd entrance. After looking at the signage I made a bee line for the cache. Still hiding safe n sound in its home. Signed and re-sealed. TFTC
We decided to have a quick look at this nearby reserve before heading home.
We wandered down from the Belvedere Rd entrance. After looking at the signage I made a bee line for the cache. Still hiding safe n sound in its home. Signed and re-sealed. TFTC
Great spot. We love walking here and didn’t know about the caches. No pencil so didn’t sign but we still had fun.
Our first find on our walk around this little reserve. We loved exploring and seeing the amazing fungus and hearing loads of bird song. We even had a fantail or two do a little dance for us on our way round.
Took the grandchildren looking this morning. And with their minds on looking and using the cellphone, walking was not an issue
Found while on a cycle Trip on countryside roads out from Carterton. Cache in good order. TFTC
Lovely beech trees here and the nice ground covering of their little leaves
We did not get here until about 3.00pm and off we set meeting quite a few other walkers on the tracks and introducing one couple into what geo caching actually was .
I expected the wet lands to be fairly flat and low lying so i was surprised at the height to which it rose but despite this there was still plenty of water.
We went to Masterton for the day to locate the few newer caches there i did not have , plus The walk around Henley lake and the Fenshaw wetland bush walk all of which we did although not getting home until nearly 9,00pm after starting off at 8.00am.
we took nothing and left nothing but photos and thankfulness to be able to walk freely around this reserve,
We did not get here until about 3.00pm and off we set meeting quite a few other walkers on the tracks and introducing one couple into what geo caching actually was .
I expected the wet lands to be fairly flat and low lying so i was surprised at the height to which it rose but despite this there was still plenty of water.
We went to Masterton for the day to locate the few newer caches there i did not have , plus The walk around Henley lake and the Fenshaw wetland bush walk all of which we did although not getting home until nearly 9,00pm after starting off at 8.00am.
we took nothing and left nothing but photos and thankfulness to be able to walk freely around this reserve,
Was a short search for the rotting cabbage tree, then a bit of further searching before we had cache in hand. Log sheet very dry. Can hear the frogs from here too. Tftc!
What a nice little clearing. It would be great for a picnic. The hint was helpful here. TFTC
Quick first find for us today. Container lid badly cracked but rather than just complain about it we replaced the container with a marmite jar with a pill container for the log to keep this one running as the CO does not seem to active any more and it would be a shame for it to be archived in such a great area.
Quick find. Another lovely peaceful spot after wandering through some magnificent historic trees. And the mystery of the bucket of gravel in the middle of nowhere has been solved!! TFTC.
That would be a great spot for a picnic lunch. Have put new log in cache. Lid has got a hole and needs replacing. TFTC
Was visiting some family in the Wairarapa today and was immediately asked by a couple of the mini-cachers if we could go geocaching. A nice opportunity to go for a walk through the back half of the Fensham Reserve and collect a few more caches.
Quick find here, the cache container is damaged though.
*TFTC -jimmac- #801*
Quick find here, the cache container is damaged though.
*TFTC -jimmac- #801*
At the furthest point on the walk before the return. Nice to come out into a clearing with a bit of an outlook to make it feel like more of a destination rather than a plain loop. It took me a minute to figure out where the cache was and the hint only deepened the mystery by referring to something I couldn't see. But it was there all right. Despite the broken lid the cache is in OK condition because people are using common sense and placing it lid-down. I did likewise after signing. TFTC.
Thank you for bringing me to the Fensham Reserve, it was beautiful, and a place I would never have found otherwise. Cache safe and sound. TFTC
What an amazing walk, we're loving this reserve, so much bird life, so loud!! Can really hear them well from here. Quick easy find, the lid of the cache has a hole in it.
As I was placing this geocache back the person I passed earlier with the two dogs appeared from the bush but luckily he headed in the other direction from me (his dogs though came up to me and said 'hello') so I was able to sneak back out from GZ and back onto the trail without having to explain myself.
TFTC
TFTC
#5987. Been looking forward to another outing in the Wairarapa. This time I am hoping I might crack the 6000 cache find mark today. This cluster of caches at Fensham Reserve has been showing up on my trips to Masterton and beyond so many times. But was trying to get bulk numbers and didn't have time for the forest walk. Today I decided it was time to do the circuit. What a surprising bush reserve. I expected it to be all podocarp and tawa but no it is much more diverse than that. A really outstanding reserve with black beech and hard beech and areas of huge tall podocarps (kahikatea, matai, miro, totara and rimu). Some ginormous trees in there, especially near this cache. Headed off along the track and was pleased I wore gumboots today as the path was very muddy. Scrambled around looking for this one. The hint was very helpful. The cache itself was easily spotted out in the open. Noticed the hole on the lid. Signed the dry log sheet and replaced the cache where the hint indicated it should be and left it upside down so any water can drain out. Thanks for the cache -jimmac-. Claiming 720m from cache to car for DGSC challenge.
