The Lost Sheriff of Middle Sea County Patonga, New South Wales, Australia
By barefootjeff on 22-Nov-15. Waypoint GC664DZ

The new WP1 has been muggled already and there's also a fresh landslip near WP2, making the track impassable, so it's time to put this one to bed. Here's a recap of the cache's contribution to the Bushranger series' storyline:

At the listed coordinates was the remains of a campfire with the information for WP2 written on the underside of a charred log. From there was a trail of items dropped by the sheriff, including a horseshoe, the gaolhouse key and his pistol. In the front of the cache's logbook was the story's denouement revealing his fate, an image of which is attached to this log.

Thanks to everyone who made the effort of finding this cache and especially those who gave it FPs.

Coordinates changed from:
S 33° 32.700 E 151° 15.997

Coordinates changed to:
S 33° 32.703 E 151° 15.983

Distance from original: 73.5 feet or 22.4 meters.

The first waypoint object has been replaced and moved to a less overgrown location. The hint has been updated too.

I've now cleared some of the fallen branches across the track between WP4 and GZ, making access a little easier, but the track is still in pretty poor condition and worthy of its new T4 rating. Take care as the thick leaf litter is slippery and treacherous in places.

Note that WP1 at the listed coordinates is in a new less-overgrown position.

The la Nina summer hasn't been kind to this cache or its location. This is the current situation:

* WP1 (listed coordinates): the area here is now heavily overgrown with asparagus weed, plus lantana is now encroaching on the waypoint too. The interior of the waypoint object is badly rotted but the outer shell containing the information for WP2 remains intact.
* WP2: there's a fallen tree to negotiate near the start of the track up the hill but the waypoint is otherwise accessible and in good condition.
* WP3: increased undergrowth, a rotting fallen tree and slippery rocks make this trickier to reach than before, but the waypoint itself is in good condition.
* WP4: access remains good, as does the waypoint itself.
* Final: a washaway and another fallen tree across the track have made access more difficult but GZ itself is still readily reached. The cache is in good condition and the contents are dry.

My initial reaction after my visit on the 7th was to archive the cache, as it's become a lot tougher to complete than I'd originally intended, but doing so would punch a substantial hole in the *Bushranger* storyline so, after some community advice and long consideration, instead I'll be doing the following:

* Relocate WP1 to a less overgrown spot and replace the object there with a new one.
* Try to clear what I can of the smaller branches blocking the track between WP4 and the final.
* Increase the terrain rating from 3.5 to 4 and add the *Difficult climb* attribute (now done).

I'll post an Owner Maintenance log when this work is complete, hopefully in the next week or two (la Nina weather permitting).

The object at the listed coordinates has been spruced up and is back in place.

I've taken the WP1 object home for a clean and reseal, all the other waypoints and final are fine after the deluge. It should be back up in a few days.

After dealing with creepy crawlies in a dark corner, I set off in search of the Sheriff.
Following the trail of clues, trying to find the easiest way from one clue to the next.
When I suspected I was getting close to finding the Sheriff, I couldn't seem to find GZ... with the GPSr jumping about, I used the photo clue, but even then it took me a bit to solve this mystery. TFTC, I'll have to owe you a FP for this one

Great campsite! Found 2nd and 3rd waypoint but ran out of time for the 4th and GZ. We will be back! Lovely part of the world.

Wow! What a cache! Wasn’t expecting that today! Such a good workout! Definitely a fave! TFTC!

What an awesome story and a great climb! We were out for an easy day with maybe a cache or two and nearly skipped over it, SO glad we didn’t! This is one of the best caches I’ve seen. Do well thought out. TFTC!

It seems the Central Coast Council are updating the date on their Service Interruptions due to Bushfires page but not its content, as the reserves I've checked are all open again. With milder conditions and some significant rainfall in the forecast, cache on!

Central Coast Council has again closed all bushland parks and reserves ahead of this weekend's extreme fire conditions. The latest information can be found on the Central Coast Council's [Service interruptions due to bush fires](https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/news/service-interruptions-due-to-bush-fires) page.

The council bushland reserves are open again but may close during total fire bans or other extreme conditions.

All Central Coast Council bushland parks and reserves are now closed until further notice.

The park has reopened, with no fires reported during Tuesday's extreme conditions.

The Patonga Wetlands reserve is currently closed due to catastrophic fire danger conditions. Please do not attempt this cache until the area has been reopened.

Found with my sons, the_garbageman, Mighty Minions and family's. We had organised a day out to find some caches we all had not found, very limiting in the end. Selected a few, then did the other ones we were going to leave for next time. A great day out doing some fun and easy multis.
Maybe this was not so easy, but it was the best of the day! Big son joined us all the way to the top. Special messages left in the log book, so CO will have to check them out. Loved all the waypoints. Easily a favorite point!
Thanks for the climb, day out and caches!

The_garbageman , Tombi and our families, decided to grab a few caches in the area today and even though it was not actually the plan we got most of our caches from the red day plan , not the blue day . We had loads of fun and all the kids were such troopers , hiking and climbing with no complaining.

Wow this cache is really really cool. Love how the theme continues throughout the journey. A little tricky terrain at times but nothing to bad . This cache deserves more visitors a def fav point awarded for the fun. Thanks for the cache barefootjeff tnln replaced as found sl

A great day out with the bulk of three geocaching families teaming up for adventures together. We did nothing but BFJ caches today, which was pretty cool. Some great fun and I thank Mighty Minions and Tombi for joining us. The kids were real troopers!

This was our last of the day, and despite finishing it in time to do one or two more, we were so keen to finish on the high of this fun adventure, we called it quits and took the kids out for ice cream.

The various WPs and the extensive theming here are just awesome. The ‘embers’ and the gun are just tops.

Sadly we had to leave the bulk of our deputies down at the creek to care for the horses while our plucky band of 4 (half our posse) made the climb. Every WP became more and more exciting as we wondered what we would encounter next. Some interesting rock scrambling here and there but we all made it - although our youngest deputy almost took a few dives - perhaps he was so focussed on chasing his quarry he forgot that he can’t fly...

Was a real treat to deputise ourselves at GZ. We left our badges though to ensure there’s always the opportunity for others to earn this prestigious achievement.

A real fun one in a great location. Definite FP. TNLN TFTC

This morning, us novos decided to take advantage of the overcast but warm weather by taking a trip out to Patonga in the Green Lantern chariot to do some classic (and unloved) barefootjeff multis. After Elephant Rock nearby, it was time to shift our main aim towards this, yet another chase of the elusive Bushranger. Been there an done that a number of times before, where he'd successfully alluded us all those visits ..but with this one recently being checked on, and with over 2 years unloved too, we wondered if we might just be in for a chance today. Once we parked the geochariot, the first thing we noted was in fact how wonderful an area it is here to launch a kayak or four! A few people were executing this very task as we watched on with envy ..before realising we'd been cleverly distracted away from the job at hand! Deffo got to get our watercraft situation sorted one of these days tho..

A lovely walk along a quaint little trail along the shore of Patonga Creek soon brought us to a sub-tropical geographical site where we lost our trail. I spotted some pink ribbon UP but then once there I realised the trail was now really heading in the wrong direction. It was at that point that lady novo (below) had meanwhile plotted the correct course across the rocks to a trail on the other side. Phew! At WP1 the hunt set in where we soon logged the evidence we needed to begin closing in on this dastardly fellow. The clue there proved that he is indeed a cheeky fellow, sending us off in a most unexpected direction! Once we realised the T3.5 was about to kick in, the crew leisurely headed back to the car as I continued on, solo.

The journey gradually getting tougher no thanks to the light rain that was now falling and making for treacherous terrain, as I gradually mounted all this evidence. Finally at GZ where the GPS struggled a little, I soon spotted the inevitable booty, as if it was left there just hours before me. Alas though it seems no one has crashed their way through here for over 26 months?! We'll certainly take that, and shall leave our new novo PT in return. We rehid the pristine booty as found ready for the next Plodfoot who dares to put up chase. TFTC, and yet another Bushranger adventure, barefootjeff. As I said in today's previous log, I love that we still have plenty of central coast caches left to find! This cache gets a fave for being an absolute classic of a bfj multi!
#872

Out doing a routine check today, cleared the buildup of leaf litter from around WP1 and wiped a bit of dirt off some of the other waypoints, otherwise all good. There's a newly fallen tree across the track just past WP2 but it's easy enough to get around on the left if you duck your head.

A routine post school holidays check. The council appears to have done another clean-up around the entrance to the reserve. I cleared away fallen branches and leaf litter from around the first waypoint at the listed coordinates, everything else was fine although the creek and waterfalls are now bone dry.

A routine post-school-holidays check. I cleared away a bit of the leaf litter buildup around the first couple of waypoints, otherwise all good although the creek and waterfalls are currently devoid of water.

The geocaching app decided not to cache the images... spent 10 minutes bush-bashing around WP1... now that I can finally look at the pictures I can see that I wasn't searching in the right spot. Lovely area and I will be back one day to explore more

I've replaced the object at the listed coordinates as the original was starting to fall apart. The other waypoints and final are all in good nick. Enjoy!

3rd of a number of finds today with crash2079.

It was barefootjeff day in Patonga and surrounds. The Missions variously involved capturing an elephant, wrangling a swamp critter, discovering the whereabouts and truth of a missing sheriff, assisting a constable capture a bushranger, and visiting some picturesque waterfalls. Along the way we also found a barrel of monkeys but missed out on some hieroglyphs. A fun day filled with some great rock formations, locations, good company, and a tasty lunch.

After walking the elephants back we headed down and parked at the coords. The river looking very inviting a few paddlers out enjoying the late morning. We made our way along the trail to locate the first signs of the sherrif's location. At the coords crash pulled up some interesting evidence but as it looked like it was nothing returned it. We scratched our heads then I looked down again and realized something was not quite right and soon we had the next lead. We interrupted our quest when HQ mailed through an urgent request to deal with a local swamp critter, after his was done we were back on the sheriff's trail. The evidence of his whereabouts mounted until we thought we had found him but our jaws dropped at the unbelievable truth behind his whereabouts. I can't tell you the despicable news you'll have to find it out for yourself. Thanks BFJ for another nice walk. and adventure.

#1084
Had a great day caching with asbestiform around the Patonga area. Believe it or not, this is only my second visit to this fabulous area. Our main targets were the BFJ caches and I am happy to say they ticked all the boxes.

Having dealt with elephants and swamp critters, we were finally able to give the sheriff our full attention. We found his trail at the camp fire and were able to make good use of all the photographic evidence and waypoint hints. We were sure we were making good ground on him, but he still managed to give us the slip. But not before leaving us a cache which contained an absolute cliff hanger. We signed the legal documents and headed off for some refreshments. This be hungry, thirsty work.

TFTC BFJ - very nice spot

Third attempt. Yes we did it. Got geo kids out of house and got them climbing. They had a ball. Once the 1st was found we were on a roll. They this one.

Third attempt with geo sister finally found it love patonga

Out with dlturner and kazzacosmo and the family. We had already had several attempts at this one and today we finally succeeded. Patonga is such a lovely area.

Doing a post-school-holidays cache check and all's good. I'm also pleased to report that the muggle camps both just inside the reserve and close to WP1 have disappeared and that the reserve in general is fairly free of yobbo detritus.

What a great adventure! Lost my footing near WP3, slipped into a pool and had a boot full of water for the rest of the afternoon. The GPS took me to the wrong side of the creek at GZ (I'm sure I wrote down the coords correctly), but I followed the clues instead and soon had CIH. A torch definitely came in handy finding the hidden clues in the dim light of an overcast late afternoon.

Another day caching around Patonga Beach.
This is a fantastic little multi with great waypoints. [^]
A fav point easily given.
Way Point took the longest to find as it is close to the campsite. No one was home thank goodness. Though I followed around by the local bush turkey.
Thanks for the cache.

Fresh from our Great Train Hiest operation we figured after some local refreshments we had better go and find the Sheriff with Team Canary and KRS. Tethered the horse as suggested and headed off on foot dodging some of the junk about. As we got close to WP1 the muggles camp was close so we were a little shy in poking about and the GPSr kept encouraging us to go closer until Team Canary found what we were after. Happy to leave this came and head for a nicer spot. Some good rock hopping and the photos helped make good until as we continued up in our quest only to spend a while to get into position to line up the photo but once we did that the hide was found shortly afterwards. On the way back down we spotted a lyrebird. A great spot and another enjoyable multi. A favourite point from us. TFTC

24/7/16. 4:21 PM. Cache #4048.
5th of 5 finds today - Wondabyne & Patonga.

My previous find for the day was at "Pindar" more than 4 hours earlier. Only 7.1 km from here as the crow flies, but a much, much longer journey involved:
- At Pindar, it was about 12:20 and we found out that south-bound trains left Wondabyne at 29 past the hour - could we make the 1:29 train? With a lot of power-walking and running once we'd joined the main track, we did make it... just!
- bella at waggy and I caught this train back to Hornsby, where I'd parked my car this morning.
- an hour's drive to Patonga, where we met Team Canary x2, skybomonkeytown & TahMan, joining them for a late lunch. (TC & TahMan had also been at Pindar and joined us for the run back to the train, but they came via Woy Woy).

Lunch over, Team Canary, bella at waggy and I tackled this multi. My second crack at it, having DNFd in May. TC's eagle eyes spotted the item at WP1 and so we were off to the rest of the adventure, knowing it would send us up, up and higher up, and I was already exhausted after Pindar etc. The rest of the WPs were found although we weren't sure if we'd miscounted?

Our longest search was at GZ, we were scrambling all over the place, but this hide once found,did match the clues provided at the last place. We signed, replaced and scrambled down. There was still more light than I thought would be the case, but I didn't have time for "The Elephant..." so we made the long drive back to Sydney. Another great adventure and another fave point going your way. TFTC.
} : )

We had a little trouble with all the waypoints but with three sets of eyes they only took a few minutes each.

We had a great little climbing and scrambling adventure and mostly stayed dry only falls that were flowing nicely.

I'm not sure we found all the clues as we only did find four items including the cache!?!

TFTC.

WP3 has now been replaced with a new object that's heavy enough to stay put when the waters rise but still fits with the theme of the cache. The hiding place has moved slightly so the hints on the cache page and at the preceding waypoint have been updated to match. The other waypoints and final are all good.

I've placed a new temporary marker at WP3 until I can come up with something heavy enough to not wash away while still in keeping with the theme. The other waypoints and final are in good nick so go find that sheriff!

WP3 was washed away in the big wet a couple of weeks ago. Will need to think about a more sturdy replacement.

Confusion reigns supreme, with an old Geomonkeys cache (GCGQ3X) that had been archived in 2008 still sitting in its hiding place close to the final of this cache. I've now removed that cache and will arrange to return it to its owner. In it was an amazing collection of swag, along with a TB last logged in 2007 which I'll put back into circulation.

21/5/16. 1:59 PM.

This was my 1 DNF amongst 5 finds on an afternoon's caching in Patonga.

After finding "Swamp Critter", I walked back to the little beach and started searching. The hint suggested something down low, but the nearest example of this I could see was 20m away towards the water, I investigated that but found nothing. Then I considered the description - could there be another clue here? Could it be, like Fred warned, a hide nailed to a tree? After a few looks I discarded this idea and went back to the hint provided.

Back and forth for 15 minutes, but no sign. I started to wonder if WP1 had coordinates separate from the published ones but with no data here I couldn't look it up. (When I finally did have data, hours later, I saw that the published coords are WP1, so should have found it.

I gave up and will have to plan a return visit. Shame, it sounded like fun and I was looking forward to it. Oh well, off to "Betonga" next.
} : )

Changed my found log to a note, as I found an 8 year archived one, not this one! Interesting.

Finally found with Zwartclan in company. Wow, this was in deep! Was this a re-birth? Fancy finding this tucked up here looking for a place to hide a cache!! Loved it so favourite point given.
Thanks for the cache and cheers from Browngang

Trip in the afternoon to finish this one off, as last time we only completed a number of the way points to the final. The history of the cache is interesting, read the 2 log books in the container.
Th refresh of the waypoints is also good to see. The gun still works ... the light comes on and it goes Bang!!

WP2 has been replaced and is now in a more secure location. The clues and coordinates on WP1 have been updated accordingly, so all good to go.

WP2 has been muggled, with a new camp fire set up in close proximity. This cache is going to need some rethinking.

I'm writing a note here as we didn't search at the final GZ for the cache.
Zwartclan and I got to wpt4 and received a phone call from the rest of the gang wondering where we were. We'd been gone probably 2 hours by this time, so quickly pulled the pin as wpt's 2 and 3 took us ages. Wpt4 was going to have to wait until another time. With the chances of me getting back here, somewhere between none and zilch, I resolved to let this one go to the "never to be searched for again" file.
When we got back to the caravan park where our families were waiting we were stoked to hear that they were planning a family camping trip back here in April!! Unreal!! This cache may get a smiley from me yet.
I did enjoy the search thus far and we will have a huge group next trip with the chance of a waterfall or two.
See you soon!

All the waypoint tags have been replaced with more waterproof versions, and WP3 has been moved to higher ground a metre away. All good to go again.

One of the waypoints didn't survive submersion in last week's deluge and needs repair. The area near the entrance to the reserve is also a muggle tent city again (in spite of No Camping and No Fires signage) so I'm considering redesigning the cache so that it's entered at the top of the hill.

With the reserve free of yobbo campers for the moment and armed with heavy gloves and a large sack, I performed a one man CITO this afternoon, removing all the obnoxious rubbish I could see. Enjoy for now!

Armed with heavy gloves and a sack, I was intending to check the area this evening and remove any remaining waste, but instead there's a new group of campers occupying the area just inside the reserve. Faced with the option of either archiving the cache or adding a warning to let the searcher decide what they're prepared to stomach, I chose the latter for now and will see how it goes over the coming months.

So far Gosford Council haven't acted on my report of large amounts of used toilet paper littering the reserve, instead it's now been joined by more rubbish, so I'm afraid this cache will have to remain disabled for now.

It would appear the cache area has been trashed by yobbos. Disabling it for now.

Being a devotee of Constable Plodfoot through a few adventures so far was keen for a Friday arvo quest.

Saw hide nor hair when arriving at the assigned meeting place but did note the lie of the land which took me onwards and upwards.

Beware! Unpleasant coves squatting nearby (and I mean that so watch your step!)

Thematic WPs followed on - each nicely placed and readily found - but only with the forward thinking and trailblazing of Plodfoot.

Onto the final challenge and it was just as well I'd learnt a lesson and scribed the info beforehand as technology had been left behind though I was not in the Styx!

Great spot which I think would make a great shower on the right day.

Huzzay! I found that due to my devotion and adherence to the cause, was 2TF and find I have been drafted as a provisional deputy.

Perhaps emboldened by the power vested in me, and badge in my pocket (I had thought of putting it on) - on the way out I challenged the young miscreants who of course deny everything!

Not only they posed danger on the quest as I found out half way up the hill - so do your bug checks! I left a bug of my own in the cache as well.


This entry was edited by Lavinian on Saturday, 28 November 2015 at 07:25:15 UTC.

FTF FULL LOG TO COME!

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