A San Fran special by the Cherry Tree, on the HRT Matamata, North Island, New Zealand
By G_2 on 12-Aug-24. Waypoint GCAWG1W

found it!

On a road trip with Jag 50. After the HRT trail we were heading into Matamata for a well earned coffee.Jag spotted this one.

A plan was made with Net61 to find the caches along the HRT trail. We have ridden the trail before, but today we were doing it with 4 wheels (car) rather than 2 (bike). The sun was out, but the day was not too hot - perfect weather for this series. We detoured from the HRT to find this one on our way into Matamata. We soon had our hands on this familiar G2 hide. The log was wet so we dried it out as best we could before replacing as found. TFTC

I had a plan to come down from Auckland with supernannny to do the HRT trail from Te Aroha to Matamata. But she had offered to drive us everywhere in her hybrid car which is soo cheap to run and which was really nice of her. It was pouring with rain when she arrived to pick me up at 7am, did some caches along the way apart from the power trail, visited a friend in Hamilton for a much needed coffee, then home about 10pm. Pouring with rain! I was looking for the hide, SN said here it is, and it was about 1 foot from my face... how did I miss that? Must be getting tired..

These Glyn ones seem a bit familiar!Maybe there used to be one similar...

Not what we were expecting here. Upon initial inspection looked like it might have been a bit of rubbish, but glad we gave it further investigation. Tftc

Thought it was rubbish so looked all over & went back to it & it was the cache.

Had been down in Opotiki recommissioning equipment. The line started up well with minimal issues. With everything going well I could head back to Auckland. Of course had to make a few stops on the way!I also wanted to complete this leg of the HRT series which I had started on my way down to Opotiki. There were a few caches before that but on the same road so it seemed rude not to attempt these as well.Appears magical attraction item has been lost. The cache was folded and secured between two wooden pieces on the seat!TFTC

Tftc

Found in good condition.

Me found it

Found it

We have walked all of the other parts of the Hauraki Rail Trail, and most more than once, but have never attempted the Te Aroha to Matamata section. This is partly because we haven't got around to it but also because it is a little bit less appealing as it mostly follows the road rather than going through interesting spots away from the roads like the other sections do. It also hasn't had any caches until recently.But today we arrived with a new outlook due to to the caches which have now appeared and because it was a lovely day for a walk.We parked in the Firth Tower carpark and headed back towards Matamata so this was the first cache we found.As we approached three muggles were standing very close to GZ, two having a chat and one panting.We wondered if we might have to bypass the cache and come back on our return journey but fortunately they finished their conversation just before we arrived and headed off in different directions, one on all fours. (But don't panic, this was due to them being a dog.)Once we had GZ to ourselves we made a nice quick find and discovered the reason for the name of the cache, which we had been pondering on our approach.A great start to our walk, now on to the next one.

On a mish with the NZ Flossy. A great day for it A nice trail to get our heads back in the game before heading to Dunedin. Many thanks.

Rain has stopped, but the finding hasnt

Kiwi Does Stuff and ourselves made our way over to Matamata to complete some caches in the area. All were in good condition, TFTC!

Thats a pretty neat spot. I drove past here every day so nice to have a reason to sit a bit.

Tftc

Thanks good condition

Thanks for the cathe

Thank you anther awesome find

Thank you for another on the trail. A great camo- well hidden. TFTC

Great to be out on our bikes today on this sunny Sunday, adding smileys to our map. Needed to be sharp to spot this one. Cache found as described in the clue and is all good. TFTC

On the way home after a day in Te Aroha taking a slightly different route picking up a few caches. Love this track and good to see it being used by walkers, runners and bikers and of course cachers Cache all good and slots in well TFTC

Nice walk in the spring weather, TFTC

Very little

Out & about while camping at Horahora for the weekend. Signed the log whole enjoying the sights of the avenue of trees showing their spring growth TFTC.

Quick find but lots of muggles this morning. TFTC.

One of ten caches picked up when hitting the Matamata area including part of the local rail trail ride with pinnochio59 today. We used the car for the first few, then jumped on the bikes after lunch to collect a few more along the trail. When talking about left or right of a seat, I would have thought that would be based on sitting on the seat. In that case, this one isnt hidden on the right! Anyway it was a reasonably quick find. #7731. TFTC.

Out caching with my brother Tbird53 in Matamata and some of the HRT nearby today. Aha - I was looking for a literal cherry tree until I spotted the name of the motel! TFTC ??

On a mission with KGD around the rural Waikato. The weather was kind. TFTC

Maybe the last 4 today as looked hard to park near the other ones. Couldn't see the seat till I got out of the car. Missed on the first check but found, signed and replaced. Thanks for this series. Will complete, hopefully. Next time we slip.out here.

12th for the Dat. Tftc

Now I know what a San Fran is thanks for the educational and the cache

With Gap (of Fap and Gap) The plan was to run a lap of central Waikato and finish up at the 18@18 event tonight. Our plans blew out somewhat when a decent amount of new hides dropped around Matamata the night beforeGap positioned the vehicle for a quick park and grab, but this cache needed some encouragement to return to its position. In the meantime, we were passed by a pedestrian. She looked bothered as she manoeuvred around the vehicle. I could have explained, but didnt have the energy Thanks G-2. TFTC.

**22,015**Ohh a special San Fran here and a nice quick find as the rain sets in. TFTC

lady walking past gave us a strange look as to what we were up to.or perhaps it was my parking near cache.no problems to find.TFTC

Just got back from a wet day in AucklandEnjoying a cup of Tea when these ones pop up,then it was all go lets go to MatamataKGD parked his car at GordontonArrived at this Third one to get a blank log & Joint {FTF}

Just got back from AucklandDid a Day trip up there with KGD & EyespyBen because it was International Geocaching Day weather was not so goodBack in the Waikato when these ones pop up in MatamataSo off we goGot there and empty Log sign Joint {FTF} with KGD & EyespyBenThanks for the nice quick find

Published

After a wet day caching in Auckland I was sitting in Huntly having a hot cup of tea with ABCDF4 and eyespyben when a new cache popped up in Matamata. Dismissed it because of the weather but when another 4 popped up the decision was made to go for the FTF. Parked my car in Gordonton and off we went.A San Fran in the rain but a good San Fran as there was a blank log. Another joint {FTF}. Thank you for the placement.