Haast from the Past (Manawatu) Virtual Reward 2.0 Kimbolton, North Island, New Zealand
By geodatum on 16-Jun-19. Waypoint GC88ZNV

Heading north with tmann421 for a couple of days.Targeting the S.H.I.E.L.D series.Passed by here so stopped to do this one while we waited for the coffee shop to open.Really cold morningTFTC

Nice Virtual cache visited with woolwood9 while hunting caches around the area today.We have sent the required answers. Town nice and quiet when we were here, liked the sculpture.*Thanks for helping make our trip fun!*

We drove from Palmy to Rangiwahia (Id never heard of it either!) this afternoon! Picked up a small number of caches along the way. This was one of them. Very impressive arrangement! #7572. TFTC.

tftc!

didnt know what to do so brother stepped in hopefully he did it right

I just had to make a stop here and see this amazing creature.Thanks for the cache./herrFamaxe from Sweden

Wonderful sculpture.

Great little village many thanks for the cache good coffee shop favorite from us

Just headed from a nearby power trail. We ending up caching for about 6 hours today. This was nearby our cafe stop so we crossed the road and quickly knocked it out. Very interesting piece of art, thanks for taking us here!This was my 800th find I wrote in the log and placed the cache carefully back as found. TFTC. Thanks geodatum for this Virtual cache! geodatum , !Logged on 16 December 2023 at 2:58PM#800th find

Yes, a truly awesome sculpture. A fav. pt from me. Thanks for bringing me here to see it. I have posted my photo below.

Very quiet place, one would think that it is an abandoned village. TBH, the weather was not giving anyone not looking for caches a reason to hang out outside! Great place to visit, TFTC!!

I'm visiting New Zealand for a tour around the country . I have already visited many places on the North Island. While enjoying the sightseeing I also visit some caches. This is one of them. Thank you for showing me the place and thank you for the cache . Greetings from Switzerland .

Answers emailed, cool little spot. Had lunch at the nearby cafe after getting required info and pic

Thanks for the cache

Found it!

Stopped for a wee look around to nab the answers needed to log the cache. Lots of wandering eyes from locals nearby so tried to get this one done quickly

Very cool sculpture, the hound enjoyed investigating around this area while we did the same

Not much planned in our household for Easter except getting some home jobs done. We finished our respective jobs this morning so thought it would be fun to do a wee drive in my town car somewhere we haven’t really explored. Off we went with the geohound in tow…

Most of the caches we stopped for were P&G, I didn’t want to be stopping for every cache as the hound can get quite excited in the car but it’s not always safe to release him. Interesting drive through Pohongina to Apiti then back through Kimbolton and Cheltenham.

TFTC
C&J

What a great sculpture. Visited the Sculpture Festival as well while I was here - some amazingly talented people about. tftc

I've admired several sculptures and stories about this magnificent bird.
And I've paused at this spot several times, but this time the coffee shop was open so I finally stopped long enough to collect the data required and take the photo...
Thanks for this cool Virtual cache!

Kids loved it thanks

In Kimbolton area to do this virtual, adventure lab and a multi. A favorite point from me. Thanks geodatum for this virtual.

With the Geotour coming to and end soon Yvettetb and I decided to go on a road trip to collect Tahi and Rua. Of course I had some puzzles at various places to collect and a few special types were added to the list too.

This was our 4th day. We'd stayed in Taihape last night and todays plan was to get closer to Palmerston North collecting my unfound SHIELD puzzles on the way. We eventually made it to Fielding after a sucessful day.

We'd been collecting the last of my SHIELD puzzles nearny and just had time to do this virtual before heading to our accommodation for the night. Thank you for the cache at this interesting piece of art

Our North Island Roadtrip from Whangarei to complete Tahi & Rua of the NZ Geotour - Day Four

What a great place to visit, this was our last 'cache' for today. Thanks for bringing me here.

Out in the area collecting the S.H.I.E.L.D series, and any other caches we encountered along the way. We have sent the answers through to the CO and are logging in anticipation of them being correct.

A wonderful sculpture, especially as it uses so many recycled components. I would love to have one of his sculptures in my garden. I saw other art work nearby (see my photos). I’ve discovered the next Kimbolton Sculpture Festival is being held on Saturday April 1 2023 and I have put the date in my diary. Favourite given. TFTC geodatum.

A day trip up to the Manawatu today to keep the numbers ticking over. I hadn't planned to come to Kimbolton today, but things went better than planned and the lure of a few Lab Caches was a nice diversion. While here I checked out the sculpture and information boards. Answers have been sent to C.O. Thanks for setting this up. TFTC

I was much later than planned heading through here after going a long way up a valley with no exit after the previous cache. Incredible sunset with such vivid and vibrant colours on the way. Fantastic idea for your virtual placement thanks geodatum. TFTC # 18,655

Staying at the old bank so was a brilliant cache to get thank you!

Stopped for a bite to eat in this cute village in the way to the Ruahines with . Such a cool sculpture. Answers sent the CO by . TFTC. KTG

Out with KiwiKatieG for a trip into the Ruahine ranges. Stopped in to grab a bite to eat while on the road and saw this awesome sculpture and decided to log the cache that goes with it. Answers have been sent to the CO. TFTC

Thank you for this Virtual, geodatum - I ended up staying the night in Kimbolton (excellent parking for motorhomes behind the pub) and pottering around the next day, too. Great cafe over the road.
Answers have been sent.

A nice neat village
Many thanks

What a magnificent and cleverly created sculpture. We duly answered the questions, and took a photo of what we assumed was the garage across the road, and as we had parked nearby, our car could be our appropriate object. A favourite from us. TFTC

Some time (years) ago I set myself a goal of getting the top ten oldest (still active) caches in the North Island for the Old School Challenge, GC325CX. Todays goal was my 9th find on this list, GC34F. I left Wellington at 05:30 (avoiding the typical weekend traffic issues) for a 09:00 start from the Rangiwahia track carpark where, after a discussion about this at an event last weekend, The Seagnoid would be joining me for the walk. Cyclone Fili passing through the country during the week caused me some concern but the weather gods smiled and today was a stunning Easter Friday day, perfect conditions for caching.

My last cache of the day as I make my way to Wanganui. Stopped for a quick break here and to do this virtual. Very cool sculpture!

I'm meeting YetiNZ at the Rangiwahia track carpark, but I am a bit early so stopped here for a quick visit. In the end I arrived late, but only by a few minutes.

This eagle is awesome! Makes me wonder just how impressive it would be if full scale. Doing the labs here I encountered a few more - I didn't know Kimbolton was getting into sculpture in a big way, I am way impressed. I only saw a few, I woun;d be surprised if more are lurking down side strees or whatever.

Gets a favourite, I sure hope I can come to the festival one day.

We passed through here yesterday (5th) and stopped at the pub for some delicious hot chips and great company from the owner! Got the kids to help me name the items on the sculpture, which they thought was awesome.
TFTC

This is an amazing sculpture with so much detail - a great choice for a Virtual. We enjoyed spending time here in Kimbolton this afternoon collecting your Adventure Lab, your multi and this Virtual. Thanks geodatum! Logged with permission thanks to your fast reply.

Bit of an ordeal. But I have learned a lot.

Hopefully

Catching up on an overlooked virtual. Loved the sculpture, so creative! An excellent use of a well deserved virtual cache.

Found on a lovely day while doing the ad lab.

Talla64 and I were taking a break from the SHIELD series at a very nice cafe across the road from this sculpture when we noticed on the geocaching map there was a virtual associated with it. We were amazed by the skill that has gone into this sculpture, and the more we looked at it the more repurposed items we saw. Thanks very much for drawing our attention to all the detail geodatum. This is such a delightful little town and we enjoyed our visit and the virtual. FP awarded. (PS: When we took the photos we'd forgotten we still had our Covid masks on, we are not trying to be incognito!)

Just taking a short break from the S.H.I.E.L.D. series and stopped in Kimbolton for a coffee and Flowerydaze noticed this one, which we did.

What a lovely sculpture. Had a bit fun trying to see how many different parts it had been made of.
First time I’ve ever visited Kimbolton so it was nice to see a virtual here. Required answers have been sent to CO and now we are off to start the SHEILD series.

Answers sent so now logging. Great sculpture - definitely worth a visit. Photo of garage as requested. Visited on my way to collect a few SHIELDS a couple of days ago. Great little town - shame the cafe was not open when we arrived on a drizzly Tuesday but you get a sense of a great community - as does the info in this cache. TFTC geodatum.

Went out meandering in the mizzle during our midday stop. Cool sculpture and enjoyed spotting the objects for the clue (and the cache name)! Unfortunately didn’t realise how blurry the photo was until I returned home, but you can still see me at the garage. Answers submitted, thanks geodatum!

Very creative! Thanks for bringing us here!

Back in civilisation after being giving a rural tour by SHEILD. Interesting pieces of art work. Nice town too.
Answers sent. TFTVC

Beautiful day to explore our region

Please note:
No one should be geocaching during Level 4. This is because it involves touching items which others may also touch, and may possibly involve going beyond our neighbourhoods. It contravenes the Public Health measures at this time. Here is the official statement from our NZ Geocaching Reviewers: “ IN LEVEL 4 - YOU SHOULD NOT BE FINDING GEOCACHES, or PLACING GEOCACHES or ATTENDING EVENTS. No caches will be published at this time.”

Here is the link to read about the official geocaching guidance:

https://wiki.groundspeak.com/display/GEO/New+Zealand

We all hope we will be back geocaching soon.
Stay safe.

#1628. GB Leader and I are attacking the SHIELD series this week. Got 22 of them yesterday afternoon, and now we are in the throes of doing the Kimbolton area ones today.

Stopped for lunch at the cafe across the road from this Virtual, and then went across to look at this impressive metal eagle. There's another Haast eagle at Zealandia in Wellington, also worth seeing. Got the answers & the photo which I have sent to the CO. Nice virtual, thanks geodatum.

Now to hit the road north!

Enjoyed this virtual and once completed had a coffee at the cafe across the road.

Attended a CITO and event at the cafe a few years back. A lovely little town.

Thanks for taking the time to create this virtual. Worth a favourite point.

with being a long weekend we decided on another trip to the Manawatu.
we based ourselves in Ashurst. with lots of caches around the general area.
main idea was to complete the 20/20 series which we had all the solves for now, plus anything else.
we checked ourselves into local pub, arriving just with enough time to have a couple of beers.
plan today head up thr valley one side back down the other.
caches all in fairly good order.
thanks to the owners for the placements.

With Gap (of Fap and Gap)... Roaming around the wide open spaces of the Manawatu this weekend. We’ve had the caching brakes on for far too long, and it’s a weekend to cut loose.

Usually on weekends such as this, Mondays are used for tidying up the geomap and picking up any last minute caches along the route home... This virtual cache has beckoned for far too long. We finally got the chance to visit when Gap decided we should travel home this way. The Haast Eagle sculpture did not disappoint and it was interesting to study its design and form. The associated festival sounds like a great idea and worth visiting when it’s on. Congratulations on receiving a virtual reward geodatum and TFTC.

#9350. I finally got around to completing this virtual today. I had visited the sculpture while passing through Kimbolton doing the Shield series last month and snapped some photos to assist with the answers. It was during my Easter trip to the South Island and driving over Haast Pass and then visiting the Maori Rock Art sites in the Waitaki Valley which feature this eagle that I remembered I needed to complete this virtual. The sculpture is one of the more impressive pieces of bird art that I have seen and its great that it features Harpagornis (now considered a species of Aquila). This truly was a magnificent beast and the top terrestrial predator in New Zealand although I think quietly that many a tramper is probably a bit relieved they went extinct as the thought of having those massive tiger-sized talons ripping into your kidneys or cracking your neck with a powerful beak thrust would have made bush trips rather scary. Certainly would have needed its own attribute for geocaching.

A lot of thought and effort has gone into making this sculpture. Thanks geodatum for highlighting this artwork. Answers sent to the CO and logging with permission. Favourite for this one.

What an amazing sculpture, imagine the time and thought that went into it, tftc

#19681. The virtual was a must-do during our time in Kimbolton. A very interesting sculpture; well worth a virtual. Troodles sent answers on behalf of us both, and uploaded a photo of both GPSr's. TFTC.

Found with StreetWalkerNZ on a beautiful sunny day dedicated to finding the majority of the SHIELD series caches, driving along many a windy, gravel Manawatu road.
A fearsome looking bird, so cleverly made and it was fun trying to work out what it was made of. The concrete sheep in the nearby paddocked looked as though they were leering at us , I didn't find them quite as impressive!
Logged with permission, thanks for a cool virtual and TFTC.

A great day out. #13 caches in all. This is a great sculpture and a nice town to visit. Must be 30 years since I was here! TFTC

I really liked the sculpture. Too bad this eagle is now extinct. I spent way too little time in this nice town, but I am on a mission to the S.H.I.E.L.D. caches. TFTC.

Staying in Kimbolton at the old Bank of New Zealand and this great sculpture is right acrosd the road on the way to the pub. Be rude not to. TFTC.

Cool Sculpture and interesting area. TFTVC.

With KR. Awesome work. Tftc

A nice quick find thanks.

Ms_KR and I are on our annual pilgrimage to Auckland for a family Christmas. Today we cruised around the Manawatu.

Thanks to all CO's for publishing and maintaining their caches. Cheers.

Answers sent. A really interesting looking sculpture. Found with CrystalFairy after doing the 20/20 series. TFTV

Called in after going to the country fair. Met Terry's wife while at the sculpture. She kindly opened up the garage so we could she his other sculptures. Great cache. Favourite from us. Thanks geodatum.

Out on a weekend caching trip with Buttels with the aim of picking up the SHIELD and 20/20 series and mostly solved puzzles along the way. Sorry for the generic log, but most of these caches blurred into each other. There appeared to be three types of caches (power pole, brace and bison) mainly with a few other interspersed types. Found all of the SHIELD barring about 4 DNF's. We plotted a route prior to getting out here to reduce the amount of backtracking on these back roads. Managed to get through the whole SHIELD and 10 of the 20/20 plus a dozen others in the day before it got dark. If there are specifics about a cache, I will write them after this:

Answers on way to owner. Loved this virtual. Whilst we were there looking for the answers a lady came past and said the creator was in the pub next door. We decided not to engage as we would probably still be there talking a day later and had a lot of other caches to find that day and it was getting late.

Found at 7 September 2020 11:41 am as part of a two-day geocaching roadtrip, originally intended to tackle the S.H.I.E.L.D. series in a single day, but ended up changing my plans and having a feast of FTFs with the new "dictionary" power trail.

Having finished with finding caches in the Pohangina Valley, it was time to start picking up some these S.H.I.E.L.D. caches, but not before I stopped in Kimbolton (the first time I've visited), with the main intention to grab this virtual. Interesting artwork on display and looks like a pleasant place to spend more time, but I've got caches to find. All good here. TFTC

On a nice afternoon we went up and had coffee at the lovely cafe which we really enjoyed and as neither of us had seen this sculpture we were duly impressed with it and the info notice board etc surrounding it. it took a wee while to read all about it. it is years since i have been to Kimbolton so it was a great outing thank you for putting this cache here and encouraging us to visit the area again.
the photos were duly taken and the info is being sent to CO.

I saved this on the way out up to Kimbolton in the hope that we could do one cache on our tiki tour. Much to my surprise and then even better luck we stopped right next to the GZ.

Hubby got out to visit who he was visiting and I noticed something interesting just a few meters up the road. So rolled the car forward and we ohh and ahhed at all the cool stuff. Then I found it was the virtual cache so out we jumped and had a closer look. We completed the answers. We a bit sad the garage wasn't open to see inside, but happy the cafe across the road was! Definitely coming back in better weather to have a good look around the area.

A great spot to see some local rural art, totally unexpected, and a very pleasant surprise.

#11,881. Enjoyed stopping by Kimbolton Road in Kimbolton to see this interesting “Haast Eagle (Pouakai)” sculpture. Answers messaged to the cache owners. Permission to log received promptly afterwards.

Would be interesting to visit the next Kimbolton Sculpture Festival now set for March 2021.

Thanks for the virtual placement, and for bringing us to this site, and …

.T h a n k s. .f o r. .t h e. .c a c h e.
.M a u r u u r u. .k o e. .n u i. .a t u. .h o k i. .t e. .k e t e r o k i.

What a great day to duck out and see some art, We will be planning to visit the next event they hold for this type.
Thanks for bring us here easy fav point given
Answers sent to co

I heard about Terry's eagle and the Kimbolton Sculpture Festival on RNZ National Country Life programme on the wireless. It was great to see the artwork up close. Answers sent and approval received to log.
So "Thank you" geodatum for highlighting both. Congratulations on being awarded a Reward Virtual Cache. Gotta be worth a FP.
Unfortunately the 2020 Sculpture Festival is cancelled due to the covid-19 pandemic pandemonium.

After spending most of the day on gravel/country roads chasing Shields it was good to find such a beautiful sculpture. Most unexpected and I’m sure I would not have stopped here if it was not for geocaching. Thanks geodatum. A favourite from us.

Cycling from Cape Reinga to Bluff and geocaching along the way(fav)

We were staying with family and on our way back from Feilding for a family event we stopped off to check out the sculpture. What an awesome piece. Thanks for bringing us here.

another cache for the day done on our roadtrip and yet another town visited due to caching

**12,237**
We thoroughly enjoyed Kimbolton, maybe it was the fact we had just finished the SHIELD series or the fact we just had a feed at the local.
We had a good look at all the bits the sculpture was made of, emailed our answers and have received the reply for permission to log.
The guy that made it sure is clever! Unfortunately the engineering shop was closed so we couldn't look at the Viking.
Took a couple of Photo's showing our Van.

Out with Tara ted to see this sculpture yes this get a favourite answers sent and what a way to start the year thanks geodatum TFTC

A great sculpture and cache to start the New Year. Well worth a visit. Answers sent to CO. Thanks for this cache Geodatum and so its a favourite.

Logged today when passing through with TwigNZ after a walk up to Rangiwahia Hut to replace the container for Ruahine GC34F.

Adding this virtual to our collection. Wow, what a great sculpture, answers submitted and photo of geomobile attached with caching sticker on window TFTC. Happy holidays and safe travels to all cachers

I needed a cache for this special day. This virtual is only half an hour from home so was a great choice.
What an awesome sculpture made from scrap. Merry Cachemas! A favourite!

After a quick trip to Feilding and an experience of the Asdventure Labs this was next on the list. As you know we lived in Kimbolton village for 5 years before moving to Marlborough and the place still holds many charms for us. I was excited to see that this CO had used their Virtual reward to highlight these treasures in Kimbolton, none of which was there before we moved 5 years ago. Answers have been sent, and accepted, so time to add the log. A fave point, of course, and Happy New Year to you geodatum.

In Whanganui for a week over Christmas, visiting and staying with our daughter and her partner and letting the news that she's expecting her first child, which will make 12 grandchildren for us! We squeezed in a cheeky trip to New Plymouth during the week and I advanced my TMGT cache finds to over 30, as well as grabbing a few more 'new' Virtual caches as well as my 180th Earth cache. Grabbed a cache on xmas day morning too meaning my 5-days will be complete on Leap-day next year - yay! Thanks to all COs whose caches I found and individual logs wherever possible.

Placeholder log for pic

Great place to stop after visiting the Cross Hills Country Fair. Would not have noticed this beauty if not stopping for a cache here. Answers sent. Thanks for setting up this cache.

Time to sign off a few of the latest round of Virtuals.

What an amazing sculpture. It certainly should have won a prize. Definitely worth a fave.

Had dinner in the pub afterwards with a Bikers Burger. It was so big I had to use a fork and knife. Too big to pick up.

Cheers for the cache.

WOW what a work of art. Very interesting panels about the area too. I wonder how long it took to make. Thank you for this caches as I am not sure we would have noticed it on our drive to Palmerston North. One of the reasons we like caching is seeing and visiting places not usually seen. TFTC

Cool little virtual love the sculptures. Answers send on behalf of the team .Myself Philip.Perry McJandals and Nzflossy

The crazy Labour Weekend plan is now in full swing. McJandals, NZFlossy & Davidson Clan are joining me for 29 TMGT Caches, the Shield & Stickman series and what ever we can find in between. Almost all the caches were found quickly and good condition with exceptions to those not equipped with water proof paper... We’ve signed individually or as TeamBOP depending on time, log space or mood. I’d like to acknowledge watcache, mar1ssa & the TMGT volunteers who have given this trip focus, and all the other COs who have made this trip such an adventure - TFTC

I’m using a Cachly logging template for these logs but I’ll endeavour to add to these once I’m home again. Apologies but until then it’s pretty much cut’n’paste from here. Thanks again.

Great multi. Answers and photo sent. With no mega this year, a plan was hatched with Team BOP to come to the lower Nth Island to get some numbers knocked off, so here we are and loving it!! 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 cache. Many Thanks for bringing me here. Cheers

On a caching weekend with McJandals, Phillip Perry, and Davidson clan. After staying the night at a Airbnb we got on the road early to pick up the Shield caches. Enjoyed the puzzles and then collecting them as a team - Team BOP. Lots of fun and laughs on some back roads and even picking up a few extras. Thank to the COs for bringing us here and creating some great puzzles and caches Nice to stop here after doing the Sheild with Team BOP Loved the sculptor and the history. Bruce has sent the answers and required selfie . TFTC

What an amazing sculpture and we were lucky the garage doors across the road were open and we could see "Wally the Viking", an equally amazing sculpture. Logged with permission. TFTC.

Found as a part of a previous group TanjackMüley, aka WanderingSparrow. Now I'm continuing on my own. TFTC

Incredible sculpture! In such a quiet place, as we passed it seemed like a ghost town perfect for the ghost icon on the virtuals. Took photos and admired the sculpture before leaving. Very glad this cache was here otherwise we would have missed while traveling. Thanks for placing it here Geodatum!

We have spent the last week in Turangi, but before heading for home in Auckland we are instead on our way to Feilding and Bulls to visit two of our daughters and their families. On the way south we picked up a few S.H.I.E.L.D. caches that we did not find on a previous trip in the New Year, then detoured to Kimbolton to find this new Virtual. We loved this sculpture, and took several photos to remember it by, as well as the required one of the garage across the road. Answers sent to the CO - thanks for showing us. Adding a Favourite point

Came to kimbolton today as I was asked by my brother to cut a bigger hole in his benchtop for a new hob unit, it was an ideal oppourtunity to pickup the vital information for this new virtual that has recently appeared in this very rural town, and as the turbo's are playing in town today against the wellington lion's it was going to be a good idea to get the necessary info before the influx of supporters take over this town.
So info has been collected and sent to the C O for conformation and I are now logging this virtual.
Thank you for bringing us here , great placement for the virtual, and congratulation's on receiving one of the many virtuals in our area .
F P awarded.

After finishing some jobs around the farm, we decided we'd make the most of a wee bit of a break in the weather and make some inroads into solving the mystery at the museum case, with the first step being to find some more clues.
We'd knocked off the majority of this SHIELD series a while back, so we figured it was time to finish off some more, and pick up this virtual cache as well.

What an amazing sculpture this is, and a great place for a virtual cache.
Congrats on getting the opportunity to place one.

After collecting caches up the Pohangina Valley we came across to Apiti and now heading back to Palmerston North in the dark. Fortunately the sculpture and information boards are well lit so was able to collect the information. TFTC

Road trip yeah!

Recently friends of mine moved to Northland, only they had too many vehicles and too much stuff to take themselves. The solution? "Hey John, fancy driving one of our cars up north for us and making a long weekend of it?"

In planning the route to take today, it was the perfect chance to clear up a few caches I've wanted to get by taking a slightly convoluted route, but then hey, isn't that what road trips are all about? And then this Virtual was published! That was going to have to be a definite find for today.

Arriving a GZ, I quickly spotted the quirky subject matter of the cache. A bit of a shame that the garage itself was closed, otherwise I would have loved the chance to peek inside to see what else he's working on. I took a few photos before hunting down the info required (sent to the CO) before jumping back into the car and setting off as time was tight with only a couple of hours of daylight remaining.

Congratulations on being awarded this Virtual. A great subject matter and a write up, so I'm giving a FP.

Published

Thanks for bringing me here