There was vague talk of
going shopping in Lakeside this morning, but I had too much to do.
Astronomy club accounts don't sort themselves. But we eventually got
our chores done, picked up Geo, and set off to Bluebell Hill,
There was all sorts of
things we could have done today. The kite club was having a
Christmas party, as was work. But instead we thought we'd try
something of an unknown quantity - the Kent County Geocacher's
Christmas meet-up. We'd met one or two other cachers here and there
throughout the last few months; and they all seemed decent people. So
we thought we'd give the Christmas bash a go. I am so please that we
did.
The meet was planned for
2pm, but for those who were interested there was a mini-cache run
around Bluebell Hill. A local cacher had offered to meet up with
anyone who was interested at the Bluebell Hill picnic area and lead a
little expedition. It was a really kind offer; one I readily
accepted. We were taken along the "Snail Trail" - a
trail of six caches. And as we went along we found another six random
caches as well. It was a bright morning; very cold. But it was a good
morning to be out and about. Meeting old friends, making new
friends. Smiling smugly whilst others struggled to find the cache
you've found. Swearing impotently whilst everyone else has found the
silly plastic box that you can't find.
The two hours flew by,
and we made our way back to the cars, and on to the Castle Lake
Hotel. I went in to the place with a little trepidation. I didn't
know what to expect. I was rather amazed. I don't know how many
people were along - I would estimate about fifty. We had an area
booked, and on seeing Lisa and Earle we sat with them. We exchanged
pleasantries with those people we knew. We were introduced to new
friends. And without realising it we were chatting away with all
sorts of people. After an hour the organisers called for quiet,and
awards were made. Being a newbie to all of this I sat quietly, and
applauded politely when people were called to receive awards. My name
was called. I couldn't believe it. They'd made the effort to look at
my caching history and present me with a certificate for having found
over seven hundred geocaches. I was rather humbled that someone had
done that for me.
We had a meal in the
hotel, as did many other people, and then the "Secret Santa"
gifts were given. I was presented with a telescopic magnet and a pair
of tweezers (both with attached lights) which were ideal gifts
for geocaching. And we chatted some more. As you go out geocaching,
at each cache you sign the cache's log. On these logs you see other
cacher's names and aliases. I found myself being able to put faces
to so many names. And there were so many people coming up to me being
pleased to finally meet Manky Badger.
We chatted until everyone
else had gone home, and being the last few people left chatting, four
of us set off on a mission. To find a last couple of geocaches.
I understand that these
geocacher meet-ups happen quite often. I shall certainly go to the
next one...
Oh - and it's December.
December isn't December without a Lego
Advent Calendar...
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