The Life of a Builder! Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
By Gorbygorbachov on 01-Jun-17. Waypoint GC76KA9

I looked at this puzzle so many times but had no idea where to start. Then one day I looked at it on my phone and something jumped out. Armed with the coordinates I came down but couldn't find anything at GZ. When the cache had been replaced I had another look for it, but still couldn't find anything. A quick word with the CO at one of his caches and I knew where to look. Today, on my way to his CITO I came to have another look for this. I waited until the road was clear and then looked from a distance, until I noticed something that was just a bit different. I just had time to get the log and sign it before anybody drove along the road.That was one sneaky hide.

Amazing! Mr p says we'll worth 100 FPs. found on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

@nd visit here as I walked away without finding last time. This time it was straight forward. All good. Thank you for the placement.

All good to go again, let's see how long it lasts this time.

Yes, it has gone again, just as well it's an easy cache to remake, will do so when I get time.

I looked at this puzzle on and off for so long, and nothing jumped out at me. Then by chance one day I looked at it on my phone and straight away I knew where to find the coordinates. Today, Daddypig continuing with his "being supportive" campaign (my caching buddy has moved to Dunedin and is living the student life) suggested a trip out to find some more caches, and I had a couple of puzzles on the list.
Parked up just after GZ and walked back. My phone was complaining and being slightly uncooperative, but there was one place that seemed a likely hiding place. Nothing there. Ended up putting the coordinates in Daddypig's phone to see if that was better, but still nothing.

Ah yes, the life of a builder.

An experience I now feel as though I can say that I’ve had a taste of thanks to the CO!

For ages I struggled on this puzzle and then I think a chat with the CO and the tiniest of hints and I knew what I needed to do.

I really can’t believe that didn’t occur to me sooner, it’s one of my main checks I do with a a puzzle after all…

Anyway, came past today to collect this puzzle and spent a fair bit of time searching the wrong area. Especially one commonly used item…

After a small nudge from the CO, I was sent to the correct area and found it relatively quickly.

You definitely are the master of “Plain Sight”.

Thanks for the puzzle and fun cache!

Wasn't actually planning on doing any caching today (still a bit tired out from the Crayola raid on Thursday!!) but I had a full day at work today rather than my usual 4 hours, so had time to kill during a lunch break. Despite the weather I managed to get over to GZ without getting too wet (getting back to work was a different story).

This was my 4th visit here and after the CO's recent replacement I was hoping to finally find it today... well, I did, and even better, it was where I had been looking last time, so I know I would have gotten it last visit if it had been there. No worries today as GZ was empty of people so I could sign and replace without anyone asking what I was up to.

A unique hide to top off a good puzzle. Thanks Gorby!!

Cache had gone, checked today, but it's very easy to remake another, so have done so and replaced it.

I'll go and check to see if it's still there, but IT IS a tricky hide though.

Well... 3 visits and a PAF... so maybe it's time to admit my DNF here. Good thing I'm around here so often as I can keep trying

Yahoo.... I solved it after a few looks and wondering just how. Was chatting to someone and thought hmmm maybe I can apply that and yes Bingo . There were just what was needed. So while in town today it was off out the door and not long to GZ. Hmm very very sneaky hide here. Had me walking about empty handed for some time. Brrrrr!! thought outside the square and checking out something more closely it all was revealed. YAHOO A SMILIE. Haha very sneaky indeed. fav for sure

out with agazo today, last time i was here the cache wasn't, i knew exactly what to look for because the co had asked to copy my cache a long time ago, i did have a laugh when agazo had a bit of trouble but i put him out of his misery and showed him, tftc

Nufrat and I agreed that this was the best hide we came across today. Well done, builder! TFTC.

Had a tentative search for this one last night but not a real search so returned tonight. After a prod and a glance I was still no wiser so sent out a couple of calls for help. Both replied and that was enough to approach with good hope. All good here and added my name after showing mrs c the clever camo in play here. The puzzle eluded me on Lockdown 1 but I wised up on LD2 and soon had the right numbers. Another FP for you here gorby, another great cache in all respects.

I'd come to this awesome big park the other night for a puzzle final so back tonight with mrs c for an after dinner stroll around the grounds. A few people around but not enough to compromise the searching and all 3 here were quick finds.

Battle tour Day 4 of 4. (yep, 4 days in a row onto the peninsula, last time this week though)
It's get back to work day 4 after a massive 3 weeks off work and wanted to visit some of the old peninsula battle sites to see if I could add my own Monica, and Ross Geller onto the historic notebooks. Just the 3 on the hitlist for tonight, though I relented and found 4.

I'd had a foray into this (for me) neutral territory and made a few finds in the days before xmas 2020 and was impressed by the amount of historical sites of previous battles that still remained green, and blue puzzle-piece shaped on my map and vowed to return.

Thanks for the replacement.
On my way to a open home just down the road from this.

Done.

Cache replaced, all good to go again.

Ooops... forgotten about this one, cache all done just got to glue in the log paper and all sorted, do it tonight when it's dark. Thanks for the reminder Coddi.

Cache gone, but I have a replacement coming up.

Very nice hide
Second time there and abit of help
we sign the Log

tftc nice sneaky wee hide found with abcdf4 with permisson from co

Discovered a new method with one of the recent puzzle caches over Hobsonville way, and I suddenly realized what if I tried this here. Well I was pleasantly surprised when out popped some good looking coordinates. Made a point to come and collect today, and certainly a clever hide as well, cheers Gorby

On a road trip with part of Team BOP which includes myself, NZ Flossy, Squirrel Nutcase and Davidson Clan. To save room we have signed ROT and I am logging using the Cachly app template so please excuse generic logging along the way. It’s just my way of keeping track, but I do genuinely thank each and every one of you cache owners for taking the time and energy to place these caches. Many Thanks for bringing us here. Cheers Great to finally get this. Awesome and a FP

On an Auckland adventure with three other BOP cachers. An early start with lots of fun and a night in the big smoke. I don’t venture up here very often but we were on a mission. Thanks to the COs for some great caches Signed as Team ROT. Excellent cache first one of these I have seen TFTC

Doing maintenance for Gorby on some of his caches, replaced the paper log with a waterproof one, all good, brilliant hide mate!

All good here! Cache where it should be waiting for it's next visitor.

Our last cache for the day, of an afternoon of caching on the Peninsula with and without Vistra. This was right around the corner from his place and with him already having found it, stood back and waited. A car slowed but then realised what we were doing....ahhh you're cachers. After a small hint, we narrowed in on the cache and finally the cleverly hidden cache was discovered. Great camo and deserves a FP. Unfortunately the new log feature didn't stop it getting wet....did the bag have a hole in it? Maybe some waterproof paper is needed here? Thanks for the puzzle, not one we'd come across before but will look out for in the future.

Finally found a way to make the log paper last longer than between 2 visits! We'll see how this method holds up.

Out and about for a spot of geocaching this morning. I solved this one last week. I wasn't making much progress with this one. So, while out with the CO I asked about this puzzle. Without giving anything away I was gently nudged to keep trying. Looking at things with fresh eyes I soon had some interesting looking data. But what to do with it? Tried a few things, but nothing looked plausible. I was messaging the CO about my failed efforts when I had the aha moment. Soon produced the coordinates after that. At GZ today I spotted something out of place straight away. Closer inspection confirmed the find. As mentioned by previous finders the log sheet is very tatty indeed and needs CO attention. Cheers for the puzzle cache placement!

On our way back from town today we stopped by this one again (third attempt) and though the CO had hoed us into where to look with a little nudge in that direction we thought we were going to be thwarted yet again. However something was spotted that was slightly different and it was indeed the cache container. We kicked ourselves as we have in fact found this sort of container a couple of times now so really should not have missed this. That said this was bold in its placement and more subtle than ones we have found so extra marks for that . It is also in a very overlooked location so anyone attempting this is very likely to be spotted
Unfortunately the logsheet was wet and though we did manage to sign it did rip away easily due to its wetness - will be seeing the CO on Thursday so will discuss
However thanks for the puzzle and the cache
Tim and Viv - ddm

Popped out this afternoon while the others were at 9 pin island. (my recent injuries has incapacitated me somewhat) this cache being just up the road from where we are staying. At GZ I had a bit of a look round but it was obvious I was going to have to do a lot of closer inspecting - unfortunately a parked car with occupant very close to GZ put paid to that.
I had had a cursory look and nothing jumped out at me - will have to have another visit
Tim - ddm

Looked at this one several times after it was published and tried to over complicate it as usual but didn't do too much work on it each time. A few weeks ago I had another look and noticed something that I did not originally see, tried a couple of thing and then realised what I needed to do as I am familiar with this type of puzzle and it all fell into place.
I had set aside today to get to our 514 mysteries target (500 puzzles minus 14 challenges) before our 2 year anniversary that I have been working towards all year; this was the first of 10 that I needed. I see that others have had challenges finding the cache; luckily I spent quite a while building our house so know a thing or 2 about that subject . Needed to check my bearings a little when arrived but once I was sure, made the find quickly without too much trouble. Guess I pass the builders test after all. Nice hide. TFTC.

I had what I needed months ago for this puzzle but hadnt made the connection with how to solve it, talking with another cacher at an event and it all came together and I quickly made the solve once I got home. Despite the final location being at the end of my street it took a long time to then go and investigate. Vistra and I kept popping back at quiet periods for another quick look, and finally this time Vistra spotted what was required. This was quickly turning into one of those annoying ones, especially when it was so close. TFTC

Solved this puzzle a little while ago after eventually figuring out how it worked (first time for this type of puzzle for me!) only to discover that it was literally around the corner from home! Took a look for this a couple of times with yorkshirekiwi83 and we came up empty handed each time - we weren't 100% sure where GZ actually was! A prod in the right direction from a local cacher had us focussing our search in one particular area this time, but it still took a few minutes before something caught my eye! We had been so close before, and probably even touched the cache! Glad to find this very clever hide, favourite point added! TFTC!

BTW - the log sheet has suffered from all the rain we've been having and is torn - still works ok, but might need replacing soon.

Solved this one not long after publication and have been waiting to head out this way to find this one. Well, today we were in the area and this was on the list to find. We got to GZ and quickly figured out where the GPS was pointing. Well miss felt way too out of place and conspicuous so she headed back to the car to leave me to sort this one out.
Hmmmm well i obviously am no builder and clearly don't have the mind to even think like a builder so after a short search around the CO received a phone call. I was assured that i was looking in the right place, i just couldn't spot the obvious or well the not so obvious....
A few more minutes and well yeah i had it sussed out and the log was in hand. A quick sign of the log and then the arduous effort of putting everything back together all the while muggles were whizzing past. Loved it gorby, well done on your ingenuity of this sort of hide. An easy favourite - TFTPC!

It is caches like this placed by a CO like this that keep the game interesting and really add value to the pleasure of the find. I can see this hiding style repeated by a few in the future. Thanks for the fun and of course a fav point awarded here.

Merlot58 and Pazza were keen to see if I had a mind like a builder. I must have, because they were surprised (and maybe a little disappointed) with how quick I found it. It did help to know I was looking in the right spot though. Thanks Gorby. Great craftsmanship!

I've taken a few cursory looks at this puzzle with the mind of (definately not a builder) a rather dumb blonde. I figured I was in the apprentice category and had definitely had no experience whatsoever in this type of groundwork, and that I belonged with the inexperienced 3 1/2 star camp. Turns out I did have some previous experience however, and after chatting to Merlot58, she told me to take a harder look at the puzzle. So it seems I have more the mind of a goldfish than anything. After what should have been a simple 1 1/2 star solve I then realized I had more in common with a thick plank of wood than a builder. Upon reaching coords, and while Merlot58 watched in amusement I looked as blank as T/5 D/5 log sheet released at midnight. After Diane (metaphorically speaking) held my hand to cross the road, I finally signed this crafty construction! Tftpc

10.55am - Day 2 on another mission to Auckland with TNXPro, Squirrel Nutcase, Davidson Clan and myself and we are logging all caches as the Bay Raiders. We had several puzzles solved in the Auckland area.
A lot of laughs as we zig zagged around the Auckland area collecting caches. Sorry I'm late logging these as I have had surgery and wiring is difficult so please refer to the other team members for their comments. SLTFTC

What a great weekend.
Came up to Auckland with a long list of solved puzzle caches, although not quite as long as DavidsonClans, Squirrel Nutcases or Gap's, but a road trip was planned and I was in! We signed the logs as Bay Raiders.

Another great puzzle and an awesome cache. Had to wait for muggle to stop watching us from their deck and then made the find. Of the whole weekend, this was my favorite find and will shed a fav point for it (and maybe copy the idea).

TFTC

With Gap (of Fap and Gap), (Mr) Davidson clan, and TNXPro... We signed the log as Bay Raiders. However, some inconsistencies might have emerged due to hunger or increasing tiredness levels... We have been collectively binge-solving Auckland puzzles and it's time to bring closure to some of these solves.

Wow!!! Despite seeing this style of hide before, this one had us fooled for such a long time. What were we missing here? The neighbour was momentarily intrigued and kept a watchful eye on us for several minutes, but retreated indoors after a while. We didn't expect that... TFTP and TFTC.

Log signed Bay Raiders present this time were TNXPRO Squirrel nutcase and Gap from FapandGap with myself .
We had a mission to find as many solved puzzles in Auckland as we could in 24 hr we ended up finding around 50 caches. Mostly in West Auckland and a few in Central Auckland staying in Albany over night. A short search and soon had cache in hand this was a really cool puzzle and a really cool final well done Gorby FP from me.

Yes a visit in the daytime was all that was required - won't say why as that would be a spoiler for sure, but rather than wander around aimlessly it was a very quick find (does it count as quick if it takes you three times?).

Took another drive out here for a driving lesson and boy are we getting to know the road from to here by now! Wet weather no impediment and it really was walk up, spot hide, retrieve cache and replace and back on our way.

Very clever idea for a hide, definitely have not seen this idea used before but will know to keep an eye out for it in future. Well done Gorby, nice puzzle and story and a befitting hide. FP.

Came and had a second go, the hide is clearly considerably more difficult than the puzzle, maybe daylight would help.

Apprenticeship failed, passed the theory but not the practical...very challenging, looked too suspicious for after dark, will save for daylight saving time.

This puzzle took longer to solve than it should have. The correct method was checked by one of us, but reported it didn't work, so we looked in vain for other ways to solve. Eventually the other half decided it had to the original idea, so checked it out herself. And what do you know, there were the coordinates! What a lot of time wasted! Nicely set up puzzle Gorby,
We have been saving the find of this local puzzle for a day when we are too short of time to go further afield to get our puzzle-cache-of-the-day. Today was the day. Arrived at GZ and saw where the GPS was pointing, but dismissed that after just a cursory check. But nowhere else really made sense or would have put the coords too far out, so we had to trust in the GPS. Then one of us noticed something and the mystery was solved. Haven't seen a hide like this before, so well done, giving it a Favourite Point.

I think my life as an apprentice will be pretty short lived. I had all the groundwork laid out last weekend shortly after the cache was published and after discussing with a few other fellow apprentices, however, it took me another week to go out and complete the rest of the work. Now, I have many excuses for the delay - including not wanting to get off the motorway at Te Atatu at 5:30pm and fight the god-awful traffic, then try and search in the dark, and being far too busy studying (in my pjs at home) to come out and locate the final.

I finally gave myself a reprieve from my actual paid job/study and on a day without too much traffic (it might have been due to the sudden change in the weather). Made my way to the final location and parked nearby. On approach I noticed something not quite right, so I investigated further and sure enough it was the cache. It did take a bit to finally figure out how to get to the log, while trying to be inconspicuous. I think I tied and retied my shoelaces a couple of times .

I have finally completed the requirements for this. However, I'm not sure I'm quite cut out to be an apprentice at this current stage, since I can't commit fully to it full-time. But it was fun to give being an apprentice a shot for awhile. As Jard so nicely put it I at least signed the diploma, and can add it to my growing resume.
Thanks for the great puzzle and well placed final, Gorby.

I will admit, I struggled a wee bit here but after a wee nudge, the little light went on and after finding the right tool for the job, built a pretty picture of the GZ. Then, I will also admit, it took me three visits to find it. Awesome work Gorby. Obviously I fail as your apprentice but I will use the signed log as my diploma anyway. Gets an FP from me......and teaches me I gotta look closer at both puzzles and GZ's. And continues my daily streak (#156)

We saw this pop up on our phones and debated whether we might try and solve it. Later we had a call from a friend and decided we would have a go. We got part of it and then stumped. Then we hit on the solve. Despite having the solve we knew that it was quite a drive so waited till today when we needed to get some fresh air. Also a clever hide and gets a Fav point from us.

Had a great time solving this puzzle, thru the haze of only having a few hours sleep after a night shift. I had the information to solve it early on but went back to sleep not realising (and before I went back to sleep found a few twists that had nothing to do with the puzzle, and learnt something new about the "Falcon" punch)

A few days later, made the detour to GZ. Well I am sure the CO has had a few chuckles, especially hanging up a few times to tell them we had found it! luckily had seen a similar hide recently. It almost had me fooled, but on the second pass, knew this was it

Thanks again for a fun puzzle, and brilliant hide. Not many like this around

With rustynz and little rebel looking for a mystery. A few spots searched, but only one that had the cache. Thanks for the hide, a fav for sure

Wow.....another Gorby puzzle !
Really keen to solve but had no luck at first.....then tried a slightly different approach that I had used once before....All good !
Went to get the final ....took me much longer than expected !
Very cool Mister Gorby ....after quite a bit of time I found it and all duly signed !
Pleased to get this one to mark my 6, 000 th find !
Favourite !

I built a whole street trying to solve this when all I really needed was a garden shed. Got the KO from the CO, he was allowed to because I am not an apprentice. Headed down with mrcleverclogs, got to gz and thought this can not be right, looked around and with a chuckle thought yep, a Gorby. Well done on a great puzzle. I am out of FPs need to build some more.

Granny is not known for her building skills, I have heard she can not even bang a nail in straight so I came along to help with the find. Luckily no nails needed and Granny quickly found the cache.

Published

I was out doing a spot of shopping when this puzzle was published and only took a cursory look at it, then continued spending money thinking it would be solved and found by the time I got home. An hour an a half later it was still unlogged so I dropped my shopping on the floor and opened my computer. I tried a couple of things with no luck, then the solve jumped out at me so I grabbed my phone and raced out the door. After arriving at GZ I searched all the obvious places with no luck. It was a busy spot, so I did a lot of 'pretending to txt' while waiting for all the muggles to pass. Eventually I rang the CO who confirmed I was looking in the right place and told me to look harder as it was definitely there. Well just as I was about to hang up I spied something and sure enough it was the cache. Very cool hide, Gorby! I opened the log hoping it was blank and sure enough it was so another {FTF} for me and a FP for the CO for both the puzzle and the hide

Just in case you were wondering... NO... no apprentices were harmed in the making of this cache! No... that was not me delivering the K.O.