Monday, July 13, 2009

Close encounters of the legal kind

So we set off early in the morning (well early for us on a day off), around 09:30, our first stop was to a cache we had tried a few days earlier and had been a DNF (did not find), well once again we failed to find this cache, we believe it has fallen from it's location and is in need of repair from the cache owner.
Our next stop was to another failed attempt from a
few days earlier, it being rather close to the first cache, we parked and set off on "the hunt". Well we were around the location (this being close to a busy road, a burger fast food outlet and a petrol station), I looked up and spotted the local boys in blue (yes the police) sitting at the traffic lights and watching every move we made. we stopped what we were doing and I sent Mrs Geocacher back to the car to get a document we had downloaded from geocache.fi that explained what we were doing (a rather useful document that we had used once before, but that is another story for another time) as I was sure they were going to come and see what we were doing.
I was correct, we watched them drive around and we calmly waited by our car for them to drive up.
What ensued was probably the single most fun encounter with the police I have ever witnessed, they stopped and wound down the window, the policeman in the passenger seat asked what we
were doing (of course everything that was spoken was in Finnish, and I followed as best I could), my partner replied that we were geocaching, whilst offering him the document to read, and a big broad smile came over his face, he waved away the document and proceeded to ask more questions about geocaching, how long had it been going, was it worldwide, how did it work and many other things about it, all of these my girlfriend was happy to answer, the driver meanwhile sat next to him with what looked like the biggest question mark in the world hanging over his head, but also grinning wildly, well they wished us happy hunting and left us to get on with our days caching, and yes we never disclosed the location of the cache to them, after all they are still geomuggles (a term for non geocachers). So back to the hunt we went, soon locating the elusive cache.

An example of a small cache, including a TB (Travel Bug)
and exchangeables

After that we continued on our way and had one of the best days hunting thus far.
Whilst driving out to the next destination we of course discussed our latest close encounter of the legal kind, and came to the conclusion (bearing in mind their broad smiles and apparent pleasure to see us) that the police have a new game. The one had certainly heard about Geocaching, and we can only assume what went on or rather is going on back at the station.
Police log: spotted 2 geocachers to in Tampere, nice couple, had a chat and went on our way. TNLN, TFTG. (Took Nothing Left Nothing, Thanks For The Geocachers).

Below you will find some pictures and explanation's of what went on once we got to our main hunting area.

Mr Geocacher on the hunt

Whilst Mrs Geocacher eats wild berries (but how mean is this? it was Mrs Geocacher who found the cache at this location)

(Different location) I think the caption should read "I know it is around here somewhere"

Some geocachers put a lot of thought and effort into their themes (can you guess the theme of this one?)

As mentioned earlier there can be exchangeables in the caches, normally meant for children (but as you can see big children too can have fun with them, and Mrs Geocacher never misses a photo opportunity)

All however did not go smoothly and we suffered one injury during the day (it can be hard terrain, and only the strong can survive at times), yes Mrs Geocachers phone got damaged and needed emergency medical treatment, we helli lifted it out of the location and rushed it to an operating theatre, where with prompt attention it was fit enough for action once again, although it is now on the waiting list for a cover transplant.

Mrs Geocachers phone in recovery after receiving emergency medical treatment

So now it is time for me to wrap this up for today but don't forget to check back and see what else has been going on

1 comment:

  1. I actually found this blog, while clicking "Next Blog"... I believe it to be the hand of fate, that your very words are, in fact, a suggestion, a solution to the very dilemma that I was facing. I should mention, though not easy for me to do so, that I am traveling on the path of enlightenment, which is the most difficult of all paths in life. I have, as I believe, reached the first "pit stop", so to say, on this path... and just a few moments ago I was pendulating between some thoughts... when I started clicking Next Blog, and hoped to find some kind of answer. And it came. Answers, such as this, only appear to those that are open to them.

    So, in conclusion, your geocaching, I believe this is the word, has, in a subtle way, a higher meaning to me. I wish you the best of luck, fellow searchers of light.

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