It has come to my attention that some people reading my blog
don’t know what geocaching is. So without further ado I thought I’d write this
post. Here is the definition and our experiences of this activity.
Geocaching is similar to treasure hunting you download
coordinates from the dedicated website, find the container outside, sign its
log book and record the ones you've found on the computer when you get back
home.
Geocaches come in a range of shapes and sizes from film canisters
to ammo cans and more interesting cache containers such as a case originally
used for protecting bananas to this jolly character.
Geocaching originated in America but we've yet to go there as a family. We have found ones in Holland, France and the UK. There are traditional, multi-cache, virtual, letterbox,
event, mystery, webcam, earthcache, whereigo and labcaches hidden throughout
the world for people to find. Many of these help to teach you about the world
in which we live. This one made us consider Puddingstones.
As long as you've got a good torch you can generally go in
search of geocaches 24/7. Some geocaches of course need you to locate items
that are only available during certain times making them more challenging.
There’s a church near us that never seems open so we can’t locate the items
necessary to help us search for its associated geocache.
We have been doing the activity for several years and so far
have managed to locate around 10,000. Sadly not all our searching has resulted
in finds we've had our fair share of did not finds (dnfs) too. The most
frustrating times have been when you have done a whole series and there’s one
little cache that despite the time and effort we've put into finding it we just
haven’t been able to locate it.
As my hubby says geocaching is walking with a purpose you
are actually exploring parts of the world and exercising the mind. From time to
time you may bump into someone doing the same thing but they may pretend that
they are slug watching instead. That’s why geocache meets are great as you get
to meet like minded individuals and crack puzzles together.
When did you last get out of the house and explore the great outdoors?
When did you last get out of the house and explore the great outdoors?
We love geocaching but the last couple of times we have failed to find them #Whatevertheweather
ReplyDeleteAh that's frustrating.
DeleteI've still not tried this but I must. My son will be 5 by next summer so I think we'll give it a go. We are always out with the dog so I'm sure we will pass some all the time! Thank you for joining the #weekendblogshare
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you do. Have a look at the website.
DeleteAh i have never heard of this! Sounds really interesting and amazing to find something. I might give this a go as love getting out! Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. It's lots of fun.
Deletewe did this last year. Was lots of fun. haven't done for a while but will be loading it up next time we are out and about
ReplyDelete#whatevertheweather
Great. Let us know how you get on.
DeleteHey Helena, we've come across geo caching before but never actually done it. We signed up once but then never got round to going and really should. I love your husbands way of describing it as walking with a purpose - thats great! Emily #bestandworst
ReplyDeleteIt's so true - I now can't understand just aimless rambling or worse a treadmill
DeleteWow 10000!! That's a lot! We've not done it yet but maybe will when my daughter is older. A good excuse to get outdoors and do some exercise. #FamilyFun
ReplyDeleteDefinitely.
DeleteI think this sounds like such a good way of getting people out the house and being active outside. I will certainly try this one day! Thanks for sharing with us at #familyfun xx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a great way to get the kids outdoors for sure.
DeleteHi Helena, 10,000 geocaches sounds like a number to be proud of. And having to mark a geocache as a dnfs must be quite frustrating. It does sound like a fun thing to do, like your husband said it's walking with a purpose.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up to the #MMBC.
XX
It sure is frustrating but gives us a reason to return. Usually they are the ones closest to a road which is odd.
DeleteWe love getting outdoors and exploring but have never tried Geocaching before.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it's about time we did :)
Thanks so much for being part of #MMBC. See you Monday :) xx
It sure is. We love it.
DeleteI remember doing this a couple of years ago as a work building relationships kind of exercise and I really enjoyed it!! I will be definitely be taking the girls when they are a little older - it is like a huge treasure hunt! #countrykids
ReplyDeleteIt sure is. Lots of fun.
DeleteWow 10000 Helena! That is amazing. We really have only just got going ourselves. We have 27 finds now. We're using the app and the free version so can only pick up the easy caches. I think I am going to ask for a proper gps device for my Christmas so I can do it offline. I haven't plucked up the courage for meets yet and wouldn't know how to find them. I'm going to keep pushing to find more now, 10000 is the aim!! Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
ReplyDeleteA proper gps will see you further. The mobile phone batteries dont last long. Ah we've set the bar hey? ;)
DeleteWe have a cottage in our village called puddingstone. Geo caching seems like a great idea to get out and about. We've found them by accident, so have not had the fun of cracking a puzzle. Maybe one day. #CountryKids
ReplyDeleteThat's cool. I wonder if it was named after them. They are lots of fun and definitely encourage you to get out.
DeleteWe have never done this before, looks fun!
ReplyDeleteComing along from #CountryKids...
It is lots of fun for sure
DeleteI follow the lovely mud and nettles and she loves it now read your blog think I must give it a go #subdaybest
ReplyDeleteMud and Nettles is a wonderful blog. Yes do try it out.
DeleteWe are always out walking with the kids, and keep meaning to look into geocaching as I think it would give the kids something to do on our walks, rather than just walking! 10,000 is an amazing number!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they'd love it
DeleteOne of the things that we enjoy doing outdoors!! #whatevertheweather
ReplyDeleteGreat :)
DeleteGeocahing always looks like such a fun family activity, I've never managed to get out and enjoy it with my kids! It's great that you all enjoy it as a family, I bet it feels like hunting down treasure. I look forward to reading more about your adventures with geocaching in the future.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
You so need to do some Fiona.
DeleteWe discovered geocaching earlier this year (we live in Cyprus) and I was amazed to find so many in our area. Its been a great way to discover new places and I loev the comment 'walking with a purpose' as we've never been walking much beforehand unless there was an actual reason!
ReplyDelete#CountryKids
Great to read about them being in Cyprus. I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments.
DeleteI have never tried geocaching but I'm sure my children are at the age to enjoy it as they love the treasure trails we do.
ReplyDelete#countrykids
Do treasure trails differ a lot from geocaching trails?
DeleteWe've just started trying out geocaching this year although our DNFs considerably outweigh our finds so far - I'm hoping that the balance will get better as we get more experienced at hunting them out. It is such a lovely way of making a walk out and about that little bit more interesting. #countrykids
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is.
DeleteI love that jolly cache container, I have never found one as inteersting as that! I adore geocaching - it is such an amazing family activity. We rocked up 4 DNFs the other day though which was very frustrating, but we did manage to get one that we had been hunting for for a year (almost to the day)! #CountryKids
ReplyDeleteYes he is so cute. Think he was called the egg man. Ah 4 that definitely would frustrate us. Great that you found the elusive one.
DeleteI love the sound of geocaching, it sounds so much fun! Thanks for linking up to #SundayBest, we hope to see you again this weekend x
ReplyDeleteI haven't geocached in ages, but I know there are some here in our town, I just need to find them! Thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather :) x
ReplyDeleteAh I've always wondered what it was. I will definitely try this when my kids are old enough to understand. Thanks so much for joining us at #SundayBest this week, we'd love to see you there again tomorrow x
ReplyDeleteLove this post. Geocaching is great fun. A great reason to get outside.
ReplyDeleteSarah 🏕 WildDunkCamping.co.uk