Seaside Sums (Canterbury) aka "Black Panther" Hakatere, South Island, New Zealand
By Team chelmo on 25-Jun-06. Waypoint GCWRWZ

Found WP1 Ok and then went to WP2. Information borad at WP2 has been removed so our trip to coast to find the cache was thwarted.... bother/@#%$

After failing to find WP 1 in March last year, we managed to find it this time, in a reasonably obvious place, after looking in all the non-obvious places. But it was extremely difficult to read, and it took two attempts to come up with a sensible answer. After that it was straightforward. TFTC

This was the first opportunity I have had since my monumental stuff-up back in Nov 2006 to get back to this sleepy little village and finish this cache off. No problems this time - I knew what to look for and what to do. The calculations were quickly done and I was off on the 600+ metre walk to the cache. The cache was easily spied, as the coverings had been blown off. It was interesting reading the log as the last 3 loggings were by a muggle (Susan) who after first accidentally discovering the cache returned on 2 later occasions to see if any one else had visited. Sadly no. It is good to at last to be able to sign this cache off nearly 3 years after I first attempted it. TNLN T4TC. Cheers.

Found thisevening. A peaceful laid back spot which we'd never visited before, but plan to return to with a bit more time to wander along the beach and river walks. Cache found and logged (in good condition). Despite looking, didn't see any sign of a black panther...

Way point one a little hard to read for us blind old chaps but a very enjoyable multiply to do towards the end of the day, TFTC

All worked out perfectly. Nice photo op at the first waypoint - love the way these rivers pull a 90 degree turn so close to their goal. Thanks.

Caching with simpsonsrgr8 - the muggle thought we were councilers expecting the steps nearby.
TFTC

Saw the cache owner while I was doing it. WP1 still does exist but is harder to see now than it once was (hint hint), the rest of the cache was straight fowards enough, except a muggle who came over for a big conversation.

Couldn't find WP1. Is the discrete plate still on the obvious object? What a horrible smell those shags make!!

Swung past to dip our jandal in the water, so to speak. Releasing a new jandal TB to show support for surf life saving - not many swimmers for some strange reason, so moving it on.

Found after a bit of a walk and some thingking. DId not spot black panther - maybe too hot. T4TC. TNLN

Bit of a cold breeze blowing in from the sea, so didn't spend long in the exposed places. The cache took a couple of minutes to find it, but got there in the end. - Canadian bug, in went a Geocoin. Thanks.

57. At last this one can be ticked off as found. Brought International Operation Spreading Sunshine Blazing Sun with me to get some km's on its log.

Were we looking in the right place, was so sure that this time it would be a found. Will send email.

Called in to check on the cache since I was close. Dropped in a Travel Bug

Really enjoyed this one.
Never been here before, and probably wouldn't see it ever, without geocaching - too far off the beaten track.

Found GZ with no problems, and found the inscription.
Didn't really know what to do with them. At first tried adding - that pointed 100 metres out to sea.

So, we knew the next place was a sign saying how long it takes to walk a track - so, drove around and found the sign.

Straight forward from that point onwards.

Took a small ball,
Left a bag with coloured strings - from Cordyline Australis.

p.s. - would be a lovely spot for a quiet weekend of relaxation.

Cheers.

The plate must be very discretely hidden because we couldn't find it. Was amazed at how many birds were around, weather a bit windy. Have not been out here before.

[This entry was edited by Kiwi Nomad on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 5:55:07 PM.]


With a an extra hint we found the plate. We must have been so close to finding it this time. Even found the next waypoint and then forgot to engage the brain. WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. After a 3km round walk/trip I am sure we have worked it out right now. Ran out of time so will be back to complete it next time.

Am sure we are on the right track now and will find it easy next time. (Fingers crossed)

[This entry was edited by Kiwi Nomad on Sunday, April 02, 2007 at 3:50:52 PM.]No not April 1st as it shows below.

[This entry was edited by Kiwi Nomad on Sunday, April 01, 2007 at 8:52:37 PM.]

Arrived at WP1 GZ to find muggles in charge, watching salmon fishermen down by the shore, being supervised from the waves by an occasional dolphin. We decided to see if the relevant word in the listing could lead us to WP2 - which it did, and then the final was soon found after a short walk. Not sure I'd want to do the entire walk right up to the "big smoke" - there might possibly be more interesting spots to wander. Anyway, we went back down to WP1, and this time managed to find the small stamped plate and its numbers, which verified our prior excursion. No swaps, thanks and cheers from Grandalf(764)

Probably like many non-locals I cheated on the final. If dogs had been allowed, we might have walked it. From the state of the track, I suspect the biggest danger might be getting run over by a quad bike... TNLN, Nice spot. Thanks.

Two bits of advice - read all the information carefully and don't give up. Early evening excursion, first got lost (wrong co-ord's due to mis-reading - but which took us to an interesting spot none the less), then it got dark. But when about to give up, passed the torch back over area upon leaving and found it - Yeh!

I love these caches where you have to go to several places to find clues, Left my swaps bag in the truck before venturing out. So, TNLN.

As I was writing in the log book I heard muggles talking to the north so had to be quick... Put the cache back and pretended to be admiring the view before they rounded the corner, then ran into more muggles returning to the truck BUSY place.

I felt that I was discreet but thinking back I probably looked like a really sus, dodgy character.

Now I know where I went wrong last time - I didn't read the instructions so was looking for a mico at the first waypoint.
This is a great wee multi - TNLNSL.

I found this cache on a caching holiday with my Dad (Moneydork)

What a stuff up! The bright sunlight made reading my PDA very difficult and rather than trying to read all the instructions I just guessed what I thought they would be. A mindset then manifestered itself and when I got to WP2 I couldn't find what my mind was looking for. With this cache being the 13th attempted today it was getting late in the afternoon and the very cold wind was starting to bite so I returned to the mothership and Ashburton to find somewhere to stay for the night. Later in the evening, when I reviewed what had happened, I read the PDA web page right through and the penny dropped. Oh well, this cache will just have to wait.

Nice spot for a cache, few people on the beach trying to catch lunch

- TB

Many Thanks Bitsprayer

Dropping in "Aushiker" aka shrek so he can start his visit of NZ

Enjoyed this cache but then we always enjoy Team Chelmo caches
- Crescent
+ Barnardos Badge
TFTC
Conton

No problems with this cache. The instructions were quite clear. I'd not been out to the mouth of this river before. Cheers for that! No swaps. Hmmmm I think we should rename this place Palm Beach, any other ideas?

Great day out caching. Found wp1 not a problem. Did sums incorrectly but quickly realised mistake at wp2. Great area, might do a walk one day, when the track reopens. Chatted with a local. Watched the birdlife. +travel toothbrush, -smiley face ball.

1145. We spent part of our honeymoon, 38 years ago, at one of the baches out here so it was fun to go exploring around the area today. Unfortunately, one pair of feet wasn't up to the final leg so Rodney had to go it alone. But we were rewarded with a FTF!!
Thanks
Iris & Rodney

Didn't even find the first waypoint.
Never mind, I redeemed myself at Mt Hutt.

Published