Logs for Spielwolf 

TB in: Travel Express Geocoin Das Schaf

A few months ago we made the aquiantance of this cute little sheep - but it did not want to stay with us: It was heading for New Zealand.Fortunately we found a nice person that gave him a lift. And now it found its first hotel in New Zealand. The small village of Waynestown is a nice and quite starting point and the cache is at the border of a meadow that sometimes even hosts sheep.

This entry was edited by Spielwolf on Monday, 01 November 2010 at 09:51:43. 

On a very rainy day in January, we went for a cruise in Milford Sound, so we took the opportunity to swim to the information boards in order to find the correct answers. The fast response by the owners, sent already in the future showed that we found the correct answers and that not everything was not washed away by the heavy rain.
Somehow, were were not too lucky with with the weather for two of our earth caches, which we found in New Zealand, since it was just raining, not even a light drizzle: On top of Red Crater at the Tongariro Crossing and here at Milford Sound. At both earth caches, the view is said to be great, but we could hardly enjoy it. At least here at Milford Sound, we saw lots of water falls coming down from the mountains. Additionally, we had some fun, saw a fjord, which is not in Norway, and learned something new!

Thanks for the cache and all the information,
Spielwolf 

On a sunny day in January, we went for a nice hike through a rain forest up to Alex Knob in order to have a view of Franz Josef Glacier from the top. The view was really great during the hike, however, when we were on the top, the neve of the Franz was blocked by some clouds, which disappeared right after we had left the mountain. However, we could see some people on the glacier through our binoculars, and they still looked like little ants on ice.
After that, we went to the end of the glacier in order to get the correct answers for this earth cache, and it was even a more spectacular sight so close to the glacier and we could finally appreciate its size. My guess of the distance from the viewpoint to the glacier was far too low, and both the walking time and my GPSr proved it.
Next day, we followed the advice given by Alien Kiwis, and went for a guided tour of Fox, and this was just awesome! It's just great walking on the glacier and observing water gurgling down a crack, without running the risk to vanish in that crack. On our way back, some ice just collapsed at the end of the glacier, and our guide was just excited when he saw it.

Thanks for a motivation to learn more about glaciers, and a motivation for an additional hike,
Spielwolf 

After we had driven around Coromandel during the whole day, we found a motel in Tairua - with a cache just in front of the door. Next morning, Spielwolf woke up early, so he went for a short walk, took a closer look at the boat, which does not care about the tides, and finally, he found the well-hidden cache. When he returned to the Motel, his Franz was already wide awake, since the forgot to turn off the motel's alarm clock.

Thanks for the cache and for an STF on the other side of the world,
Spielwolf 

Today, we toured around Coromandel peninsula, and we made several stops for sightseeing and looking for caches. In the beginning, we were distracted by a dead fish, but after checking several places, we were finally able to retrieve the cache.
Thanks for a cache a little off the usual roads,
Spielwolf 

The deck on the other side of the road was empty, so we could easily retrieve the cache and take some pictures from this lookout - indeed a nice view.

In: Geocoin

Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

After a long drive with a short breakfast break, we stopped here for a short while to stretch our legs. If you don't know that there are old tramcars, you would never realize it! However, the hiding spot was quite obvious for us.

Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

When we drove by, we were amazed by the size of the trees, which was an additional motivation to find a decent parking spot - directly across the street. When we walked down to the beach, the neighbor was observing us, so we took a short look at the beach and returned. On our way back, he asked us, where we get the information to search something at this spot, so we started talking to him, and learned more about the trees: According to Cook's logbooks, these trees must have been there, when Cook landed close by. Somebody else told him, that these trees are about 400 years old, so they were already 200 years old at Cook's landing. However, these trees always lose their leaves, so the poor neighbor has to clean his backyard every day, however, he always sees new cachers looking for the cache.
After that little chat, we decided to find it too, and we were successful !
In: TB little Spielwolf

Thanks for the cache and for taking us to this historic place,
Spielwolf 

These thermal springs are really awesome! Everywhere, something is bubbling, or fogging, or sometimes emitting notsonice odors... After some orientation problems, we finally found the cache - unfortunately, there were no TBs or coins in it.

Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

Today, we did not feel like stopping at the emerald lakes for a lunch-break, since too much water was pouring down, and we even heard some heavy thunder a few minutes later. Additionally, the smell in the air was not really encouraging to eat lunch. The last time we smelled something similar was during our studies when somebody screwed up experiments in chemistry classes!
However, we took our time for a short stop to find this cache, which we located right away.

Thanks for the cache and a motivation for a short stop,
Spielwolf 

We felt more like just having left hell, after we had almost finished the Tongariro Crossing - if you assume that hell is wet, rainy and even cold. Due to this perfect weather, not too many people were on the track, so we had not too many muggle-problems and could retrieve and return the cache in some breaks.

Thanks for the cache and a motivation close to the finish line,
Spielwolf 

During the Togariro Crossing, we had miserable weather most of the time, and Ketetahi hutch was just filled up with hikers who tried to find a dry spot for a short break. Therefore, we just had a small snack, and continued hiking. When we arrived here, the rain started to taper off, and since most of the crowd was still in the hutch, we could search for the cache without major problems. After we solved some light and reft-problems, we found the cache.
Out: Shropshire Geocoin

Thanks for the cache and the entertainment during the Crossing,
Spielwolf 

The last part of the track was most beautiful, but that might have been caused by the lack of rain. At least, the middle part was really impressive, despite the rain.
Spielwolf his Franz discovered the Guardian from the track, so Spielwolf had to fight his way to the cache, which he found without any problems.

Thank you very much for these caches on the Tongariro Crossing,
Spielwolf 

On a pretty rainy day, we did the Togariro crossing, so we looked forward to a hot cup if tea when we finally arrived at this spot, but all we found was a cache, so it was not a disappointment. Additionally, the sun started to fight its way through the clouds, so it was not too bad by the end.

Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

This earthcache was not easy - a 9km hike including many meters to climb up in order to get to the right location - and we had to do it during pouring rain! When we arrived at National Park, two days earlier, the weather was changing, and on the 21st, all hikes were cancelled due to the strong rain (and it really rained a lot in the morning). Today, it was not that bad in the morning, and were were able to take off the rain-pants, but behind devil staircases, we had to put them on again. On the first plateau, we thought in the beginning there was nobody ahead of us, since the visibility was less than 100m, we could see just from one marker to the next. Fortunately, visibility improved when we climbed up to the crater, so that we were able to take the measurements and some pictures, and not fall down into the crater . After we sliding down the top of the crater, we even heard some thunder, so it was a pretty bad day.

Next morning, the owner of Howards Lodge told us that the weather was too bad again for the Tongariro Crossing, so we are surprised to see several logs of the 23rd with excellent weather, but it is also possible that he wanted to make us feel good!

Thanks for the caches along the crossing and motivations to finish it,
Spielwolf 

For today, we had planned to hike the Tongariro Crossing, but the weather forecast was not in our favour, and it was just raining, until some drizzle set it and it started to rain again after that. Up in Whakapapa Village, everything was hidden in the clouds, but at least at the Camp Ground, we saw some blue patches in the white and grey sky. Due to this excellent weather, we had the camp ground to ourselves, but we did not have to search for a long time and found the cache reasonably fast.
Out: Travel Jeep

Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

Today, we had some problems to see the wall - it was hidden in the clouds! Fortunately, we found a rather short break in the rain, there was just a slight drizzle before the next downpour started again. After we had found the cache, we stepped carefully on the wall, and looked down the cliff. It must be a spectacular view if there are no clouds!

Thanks for showing us one location of filming the Lord of the Rings, and for the cache,
Spielwolf 

Today was not great weather - just some rain from time to time. Therefore, we did not feel to be on the moon, where the scientists would be glad to have that amount of water that we saw today. Therefore, we were quite alone in the area and could find the cache without major problems.
In: Geocoin Divers Helmet
Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

On a rainy day, we decided to go only for short walks during the rain breaks, and this was reasonably short - the suggested time probably includes reading all the signs and having a small picnic. It took us some time to find the cache, but when we saw some muggles arriving at the parking space, we had to hurry and found it right away.

Thanks for the geology lesson and the cache,
Spielwolf 

After a rainy morning, we had to drive to this cache to finally see the sun! Without the model, it is difficult to see where the train track is located, but we were able to find some parts. There is a much smaller spiral also in northern Germany at Rendsburg, where the rail crosses the Kiel-Canal, but the height difference is less, and there are no mountains as additional obstacles.

Thanks for showing us this interesting place and for the cache,
Spielwolf
P.S. The container is broken, but the content is not wet yet. 

On our way to Mt. Taranaki, we stopped for a short while to stretch our legs. Fortunately, we had read the instructions, and with some guessing, we found the cache right away, just 29m off the published coordinates, but the place was obvious.

In: Marine GeoCoin

Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

After we had arrived in Wellington, we went for a short walk in the City, went to the obvious places and also found this cache - in the early evening hours, it was not a problem at all.

Thanks for our first cache on the North Island,
Spielwolf 

On our way further north, we made a few stops in order to enjoy the nice weather and the view of the Tasman Sea. There were a few muggles around, but they were busy taking pictures of the view or of their plush-moose in front of the ocean . Other people seem to have interesting hobbies, too.

Thanks for the cache and the view,
Spielwolf 

On a fine afternoon, we stopped here for stretching our legs and to get more information on the name of the Creek and nature in the surroundings. Fortunately, all the muggles were too exhausted to walk the longer loop, so we were alone and could pick up the cache right away.
After that, we went to the beach, and Spielwolf took this opportunity to cool off his feet - the first time in his life in the Tasman Sea!

Thanks for the cache and the motivation to stretch the legs,
Spielwolf 

These gates are really impressive! It was also not easy to get to the cache in the wrong shoes - I should have looked at the terrain rating first, and changed into hiking boots! The cache is a little wet, but with all the water in the area, this is not a surprise.
Out: Marine Geocoin
In: Nothing

Thank you very much for this cache and a nice motivation to stretch the legs,
Spielwolf 

It was not easy to get this one, but suddenly, all the muggles were looking into the right direction, so Spielwolf could jump over the railing without being seen. Then he started his search, and before he could give up, he found the cache. After signing the log, the area was again muggle-free, so he could jump back into the car park.

Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

After dinner - a large pizza is definitely too much for two people - we went for a short walk into the rain forest, It was nice and green, and the coordinates were jumping a lot. We were looking at different places 10m apart, but Spielwolf his Franz found the cache - Spielwolf had to get his fingers wet and dirty and retrieved. Surprisingly, the cache was dry, and Spielwolf made the logbook slightly wet when he signed.
We did not come back in the evening to look for the glow-worms, but that must be a pretty nice view.

Thanks for the cache and for showing us some interesting trees,
Spielwolf 

After we had a large pizza, we were able to cross the street. Fortunately, everybody was interested in two guys on the roof of the saloon, so we had no problem to search for and to find the cache, to sign the log and to hide it again.

Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

On our trip from Wanaka to Fox, we made a few stops, and these rivers and the lake were one of them. It took us some time to find the place since the trees create a nice satellite cover, but on our way back, we saw the right spot and finally found it.

Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

On our way to Te Anau, we did not stop at the information board, but when we left this morning, we made a short stop. The cache title suddenly explained everything, and a after a short search, we found the cache.
No trade.
Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

During the rain shower in the early afternoon, I took a quick course on golf, its rules, and on details of the local golf course. In the evening, I got the score for the exam: I passed, and I was awarded the find of a cache!
Thank you very much for the mystery and the cache,
Spielwolf 

Since Spielwolf's Franz wanted to return to the lodge, Spielwolf went alone on a longer walk along the shores of lake Wanaka. In the beginning, he thought that he was alone, but quite a crowd was still walking the same way! Fortunately, there were a few breaks for retrieving and returning the cache. Unfortunately, there was no travel bug in the cache.

Thanks for the cache and the motivation for an additional walk,
Spielwolf 

After dinner, we went for a short walk at the lake. There are quite some interesting information on the ground, and at the final, we were wondering at what kind of art we were looking.

Thank you very much for the cache,
Spielwolf 

Well, with this one, we were unlucky . There was a natural perfect spot for this cache, but we could not retrieve a container from that place. We hope that the water did not wash it away or that somebody cleaned up the area. We might have looked at the wrong places.
However, the park is really nice for a short visit.

Thanks for taking us there,
Spielwolf 

In the early evening, we went for a short walk to the wildlife preserve, and on our way back, we took a different way back through the park. The park was empty, which was probably due to the time and some drizzle, which created a wonderful rainbow. The cache was easily found.
In: TB Emma's pacifier

Thank you very much for the cache,
Spielwolf 

During our visit to Dunedin, we went to some of the usual tourist-spots, but we also took a look at the university. It is interesting to observe how a university grows over the years just by looking at the architecture. However, we were more interested in the different rocks in the exhibition, and after some starting problems, we finally got everything sorted out and found the correct answers! The university of Kiel has also a rock-garden, but here, the rocks come literally from the other side of the world .

Thanks for the interesting cache and a motivation to take a close look at the rocks,
Spielwolf 

We had quite sime time in the morning, so we enjoyed the excellent weather for a walk in the city and for visiting some landmarks. This one was among them, so we got a double treat by finding also the cache after searching different places.
In: TB Blumpfine

Thanks you very much for the cache and an additional motivation for climbing some hills,
Spielwolf 

We found this cache in the early afternoon, just after we had arrived at Te Anau and had an excellent lunch. We still found some small space for a log. There are some pushpins close to the cache, so be careful when you search for it!

Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

We were wondering, what the cache title meant, but when we arrived close to the cache-locaction, everything was obvious! Fortunately, the roads were quite empty, so we had no problem to relax a little and to find the cache.
In: TB Wutz the lamb

Thank you very much for the cache,
Spielwolf 

In the morning, we had just arrived at Christchurch after a long flight from Germany, where it was still winter. In the afternoon, we went for a walk through the town, where we were suddenly in summer. It felt weird, but great !
It was even better when we found our first geocache this year, and the first one in New Zealand! Additionally, it was a nice walk in the park and the Botanical Gardens.

In: 2 TBs (Likedeeler's Wrench and Blumpf the Retriever)

Thank you very much for the cache,
Spielwolf 

On our walk through the City and the park, we realized that there are everywhere some plaques commemorating some moment in history. Fortunatly, we found this one without any problems, did the calculations, and then walked back on our initial track to find the right hiding spot. There were not too many muggles around, so it was quite easy to find the right place and grab the cache.
In: "old" german 10Pfenning from 1949

Thanks for the cache,
Spielwolf 

This tree looks really as one imagines an Ent! Surprisingly, it was not a different species in the Botanical Garden, but the Ent probably gets bored from time to time and walks to a different place.
In: Poffertjes Event Geocoin

Thank you very much for the cache,
Spielwolf 

This was the first Mayan Temple on our 4-day round-trip on Yucatan peninsula, and it is just a great place! We saw the voladores jumping down and circling around the big pole.
Swimming in the ocean on a hot day (for middle europeans) was a reward for walking around Tulum.
TFTC,
Spielwolf