M6 Toll Caches, New Hints Series and More...
Isaac was sitting his 11-Plus at Stafford Grammar School this morning so I was caching on my own today. I dropped him off in Stafford at the school, wished him luck and then set off down the M6 to start off with the new M6 Toll caches.
The first cache was one of snerdbe's and the container was one originally from our own Cache Dispenser cache, which they had re-used after archiving the initial cache it had been used for. The M6 Toll caches are *always* hidden in the same style but this one was nowhere to be seen. I phoned Des up and he confirmed where it should be. Looks to be muggled. Not a good start with a DNF on my first cache of the day.
It got better from there as I found the next one, but the third cache was also muggled. Hmmm! My luck changed from the better from there and I found all the other caches I was looking for.
I was soon as the start of a new series of caches and parked up in a village called Hints near Tamworth - how very appropriate! I set off on foot for a beautiful circular walk in lovely rolling countryside (definitely our kind of caching). Just over half way round I bumped into Des and Bren (snerdbe), who were doing the series the opposite way round. Great to meet you both again. Some fab hides on this series too - well recommended if anyone is in the area.
Next, it was off for the 5 new Drayton canal caches. Lots of Lollybob style hides which were fun. I enjoyed the ride down the towpath finding them all.
I then set off to clear a few other ones nearby before stopping for some lunch.
Next it was over towards Sutton Coldfield to clear up a DNF on a Sidetracked cache (it had been muggled) before heading off towards the junction of the M5 and M6 and the Rushall Junction series.
I'd never been to this area of Brum and was pleasantly surprised as it's very nice - it always looks so run down and industrial from the motorway as you go past, but don't be fooled. I opted to cycle round these ones as it's on NCR5 so the paths should be reasonable.
All nice quick finds apart from the last one where the co-ords were way out and pointing to the wrong side of the path. A quick PAF soon had me sorted though. I then carried on up the canal to another cache, which was not a great one - REALLY overgrown, with brambles and dead trees lying all over the place. The co-ords were pants too, so it took a good while to find the cache.
It was just going dark, but I just about had time for the 3 caches in Merrion Wood as we've been eyeing these for a while. What a beautiful spot - a really well kept nature reserve with tons of wildlife to see as you walk along.
After that, it was back to the nearby M6 junction and homewards. Isaac had told me earlier that the exam went well and we found out the results a few days later - he'd passed with flying colours and has been offered a place at the school - we're *very* proud of him.
