Call the Locksmith Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
By ExplorerChuck on 01-Mar-23. Waypoint GCA5E56

A long awaited weekend trip to Geelong saw us catching up with friends and targeting some of our long list of solved puzzles, amongst other caches as well.Well lucky we had no time constraints here! We did need a push to get started past the first lock, but after that Chunk was on a roll. Bit by bit we worked through each level until we accessed the cache. Very clever, or should we say devious, or just plain evil maybe TFTC (we think) ExplorerChuck, really well done.

TFTC

DAB and I planned a good day out around Geelong to grab some caches. We picked a list of caches we wanted to do for the day. We had another great day out with plenty of laughs along the way. Another cache today that was high on our list. A tricky little spot to navigate to on an embankment. Once at the cache, DAB made quick work of the first layer. The next was a little more difficult. Persistence helps a lot. After more trying and talking about how to do this we finally got to the cache. The CO was notified about a container issue. All replaced as found. FP for sure!Thanks for hiding this cache for us to find.

With a day off work, it was the perfect opportunity to grab a few hides. Na'wal had to make the trip into Geelong, so we joined forces today. The weather was quite chilly for most of the day, but luckily one of us had the foresight to wear long pants... It turned out to be a successful day, even though there were a few DNF's thrown onto the mix. A nice bit of construction on this one. After some initial head scratching, it all clicked. Eventually we made our way into the log, phew. As mentioned by a previous finder, having height is definitely a disadvantage here. My knees were cursing me after we signed the log. A fave point for your creation here. TFTC ExplorerChuck

Spent an hour an a half here all by myself a lot of head scratching and multiple attempts to crack the code in the dark using the trusty apple torch. But awesome cache will have to get around to your other caches this weekend or next. A favourite point for the fantastic idea and time and effort put in tftc

I had the Ginja Ninja in getting a service with Mitsubishi today so I thought while I was waiting for the call to say it was ready I would try my luck here. For a long time I really though I was going to have to call a locksmith to get anywhere. I was so blind as to where to start. the only thing I found didn't move much but as it turns out that was for a later stage.I finally notice something that let me open the first part then it was fairly obvious from there. Not quick by obvious.It pays to be a Hobbit in stature though being 191cm tall was not an advantage here by the time I had the log signed and was out again I could hardly stand up properly. All up this is a fantastic cache as I expected it to be, as all the caches from this CO are.Thank you ExplorerChuck Yet another favourite point coming your way

Wow, what a great cache... we took a long time figuring out where to start but then things started falling into place. Soon we'd solved the next step and the next step and were finally signing the log. Very well crafted cache and well deserving of another FP. Tftc

Who you gunna call? All you need was the area code. Or is it the international code? A rare Astro fav added. Thanks ExplorerChuck and clear skies from TeamAstro. Cache the planet! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the company of Tenkae,hoping to tick a few Victorian cache of the Year nominations off the list. This was the first one we wanted to do and gosh it had us thinking. A very clever cache, great to have different steps that flowed nicely and challenged us. This is what geocaching is about just hope cachers treat this cache carefully as it would be nice to see it lasts out in the field for a long time Thanks ExplorerChuck for contributing to this great game for myself and others to enjoy.

# ***Congratulations*** #Your geocache has been nominated for the **Best Traditional Geocache Award** in the *****2023 Victorian Geocache of the Year Awards*****.With your nomination, your geocache has been placed in a geocaching.com list with all other nominees so that the community can more easily find the nominated geocaches. You might expect to see a little more activity over the next several months leading up to the voting period.You should feel free to add a nominee banner to your cache page, as well as a badge for your profile if you like, all of which are available [here](https://geocachingvictoria.com.au/2023-victorian-cache-of-the-year-awards-resources/).I hope you can make it along to the Awards Ceremony later in 2024 at a time still to be determined. More information will be available on the event page when it is published, you will find a list of upcoming Victorian events [here](https://geocachingvictoria.com.au/events/upcoming-events/).You can find out more about the awards on the Geocaching Victoria webpage [here](https://geocachingvictoria.com.au/victorian-cache-of-the-year-awards/)*Thanks for contributing to the Victorian geocaching community.***Geocaching Victoria Inc.**

Checked on this cache today due to the recent nomination for " Best Traditional Cache" in the Victorian Cache of the year awards (Thanks for the nomination). The cache is in tip top condition and waiting to be found and "unlocked".

Cool hide. Fun... took a little while but we love puzzles

Jumped on our bikes to find a few caches today. I really enjoy your caches Explorer Chuck. They are very inventive and a fun challenge to do. This had us getting eaten by mozzies for quite a while, working through all the stages. We took quite a while getting the code for the inside lock but eventually we had it. Left a trackable and a favorite point TFTC

Very creative. Enjoyed the time spent solving this. tftc

Well I did have to call the locksmith owner! This is not a cache to attempt at the end of a very big day! At least I got to sit down in the shade. After many attempts, correct ones, seemed I just didnt move it the right way. What a fabulous cache! fave point for sureHave loved the myriad of caching adventures on my Geelong trip. Thanks so much to ExplorerChuck for this awesome cache. Regards kbucky

Awesome puzzle! Little prickly coming back in but that just added to the excitement! Tftc! Hopefully we can solve your other ones

Just a reminder that actual lock picking is not required for this cache and use of any force is not required. Please message me if you have any issues with this cache.

I had some feedback today that stage 1 of the cache wasnt working. Went down to check it out and maintenance undertaken. Cache is back to tip top shape and ready to be found.

Wow! is all I have to say. Found it easy enough, but the real fun was figuring it out. Easily one of the best, most creative, and most fun caches I've ever done. You should be commended. Access definitely easier from bottom. 10/10

Having some father-son time this afternoon we opted for finding a few local caches. This was first cab off the rank as we knew we could be in for a length of time. Having pre-read some logs we opted for the long pants and gloves which made access to GZ a bit easier. It was great fun working through each stage and getting tips for the 8 year old bunny on how to solve it. Having brought a snack was quite a help with one of the stages and we soon worked out way to the logbook. TFTC, a fav for the design and effort. Can't wait for the next one.

Todays adventure actually started a few weeks ago. I had heard that TheTritonz were heading out to Duck Island to perform maintenance and was invited along as one of those that hadn’t had the adventure before.

After a slight mishap in preparation the trip was abandoned and rescheduled for this morning. A much more successful trip resulted today and after wrapping up, I set off for a coffee with DonutHoles before he picked up his little crumb from school.

He suggested I check out this new cache in town and gave it a big wrap.

I parked the car and began the journey to GZ. In there? Sure enough half way to the cache I regretted my decision to access from above. I eventually made it to GZ where the fun and games began.

I made it past the first step soon enough but it was far from over. Working away at the next challenge I managed to decipher my way into the final challenge. Clever! Very clever!

The effort and thought that has gone into this cache is incredible. Well worthy of a favourite point and I look forward to exploring more of your hides in the future.

Thanks ExplorerChuck for adding this cache to the worldwide collection for us all to enjoy.

----------------------------------------------------------
Big things are continuing to happen! *Are you joining the fun again in 2023?*
[**THE**](https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC9MH9M)
[**RUTHERGLEN**](https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC9MH9M)
[**EVENT 2022**](https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC9MH9M)
6th / 10th April 2023 – GC9MH9M – Rutherglen – Victoria

Experience: Having slept most of the day after a long night for MILs 60th, of course, our caching happened at night! A friend suggested this one, so, equipped with our headlamps, we started off on our journey. Arriving at GZ we quickly wondered what we had gotten ourselves into and slightly wishing we had worn something a bit thicker! But we managed to find the cache and the real search began. Solving the first part very quickly we thought we had this one in the bag. We did not! While along the right train of thought, the slippery sucker kept escaping us! We had to PAF for a hint in the right direction, confirming we were on the right track and soon had the log in hand!

Hide: Very clever container that took us a while!

Cache Condition: Cache is in good condition with a dry log!


TNLS, SL
12 March 2023 10:05 pm
Cache Number: 2370


TFTC HoodedHooligans (H.H.)

The male Triton also likes locks and watching lock picking videos hence our cache in the You Yangs,
GC94C4G Pipe Pickin’ Phun.
This cache is so much more fun however with all its layers like an onion making us work out the field puzzles along the way.
Love the thought and execution put into the hide so worthy of another favourite point.

Thanks ExplorerChuck for the phun placement.

Received a call to join Donutholes to have a go at this new puzzle cache that’s getting a great reputation.
Crocs probably wasn’t the best shoe wear in amongst the prickles which was soon forgotten about once the brain scratching started. We were soon inside, but that’s where we slowed down a little, being a step ahead so with some great detective work from Donutholes we were able to sign the log of this fantastic cache.
Log signed and replaced as found.

Thanks for the Puzzle cache ExplorerChuck
?? #7,374

AusFox and I planned to meet up at GZ to work through this cache together.

We were met with a well crafted and head scratching gadget cache!!! My favourite type

Got through the first hurdle easy enough but once inside things got tricky. Which way do I look? Is it this or that? Why are they there? Why are there thorns all over my body??

We spent some serious time here working through different options until something finally clicked very happy to get the smiley face here. All replaced how we found it so the next visitors can enjoy.

Thank you very much for the engaging geocache. This is another fantastic hide from the CO! FP worthy for sure.

M.D.C.[^][^][^][^]

An MDC simply means that you must do this guy as it is what caching is all about.
I have not used the above for many years but this is an excellent example of what it was created for.
After failing to gain entry a few days ago it was back out for another go as the owner was very quick to fix the problem and today the first stage was passed after finding a new type of lock of which I have never seen before.
OK It is hard to say too much without giving things away as Ross has stated so I would suggest that this cache is placed on your to do list but be careful of the prickles.
Another F.P. to add to the growing list.

Well this is one of those "must do" caches that we look forward to.

After a previous visit with our mate Bushfire where we had no luck in getting past the first hurdle, and then the swift attention of the cache owner to rectify the issue, we revisited today with the Red Ant and succeeded in signing the log book.

Step by step this is a tricky cache and certainly it held some surprises as we went. Can't really say too much because we don't wish to spoil the fun for future hiders.
But what we can say is this is an excellent Gadget type cache, well worth a favourite point.


Thanks so much to ExplorerChuck for this excellent cache experience.

Happy to say that the faulty lock has been replaced and the cache is now fully functional. My apologies to those who have attempted it recently and experience was hampered by the malfunction.

After reports of the lock not working to the correct code, I can confirm it’s malfunctioning. Will rectify in the coming days.

Suscoe and the ageing Bushfire tried this cache as we were in the area this morning but failed to get past the first problem, but the owner is on to it and that a good thing.
Will return at a later date. Thanks for placing.

Lock will need replacement.

##Published - thanks for contributing to Geocaching with this excellent Listing.##

>***The next MEGA Event for Victoria is at Rutherglen - read all about it at these links: [The Rutherglen Event - GC9MH9M](https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC9MH9M) and [Geocaching Victoria](https://geocachingvictoria.com.au/rutherglen-easter-2023/events/)***

Sitting outside browsing the news on my phone having not ling finished the lawns and ‘ding’….

Under 3km from home, D4 and field puzzle? Im in…. Well, out (the door). Arrived to an empty GZ and set about getting in. Stage 1 was passed by the time I heard a car pull up and voices approaching. Turns out CO had come down to observe the fun. Ok, nothing like a little pressure to perform!

Queried CO about stage 1 as it seemed a little too easy for what I expected. Turns out it was and I got lucky. CO set about addressing that while I continued to work my way through the well designed field puzzle. Experience, and a brain wired more to the logical side than the creative side meant I was soon through stage 2, stage 3 followed quickly and access to the blank log was granted. From published to found in 19 minutes, quicker than I expected when heading out the door which was good because I need to organise dinner

Another {*FTF*} to add to the list.

Made sure everything was reset and returned as found for the next adventurer. Surprising to learn that CO is fairly new to caching, and has set the bar pretty high pretty early with this one!

Thanks for placing it, well deserved FP left behind which will be the first of many to come no doubt.