The 2007 South Wales day event. Event Cache

We are pleased to announce the second South Wales event is being held at Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare on Saturday, 5th May 2007.

Dare Valley Country Park is situated immediately south of the Brecon Beacons National Park, and is within an hour's drive of the cities of Cardiff and Swansea, the English border at the Severn Bridge or Monmouth, and the sandy beaches of the Gower coastline.

Accommodation includes a touring caravan and camping site with room for twenty five hard standings and ten level grass pitches for tents. All pitches have optional electric hook up and the site has low level illumination, a brand new service block with laundry and facilities for disabled visitors and the site is dog friendly. Also on site is a 15 bedroom hotel that offers bed and breakfast. Caches will be set up in this very large park for the event although there are well in excess of 100 caches within 15 miles of the camping site. The town of Aberdare is less than ten minutes drive from Dare Valley and is a thriving town that offers two supermarkets and an abundance of shops and Inns for those that like to spend. Very reasonable rates are on offer for those staying over in the park. We advise to book early by telephoning the park direct on 01685 874672. It will help the Park if you mention that you will be with the geocaching group when you book so we can all be kept together. If you wish to know more about Dare Valley Park look here.

The official start time is 10a.m. The School room is the reception area for cachers and can be found in the inner court area. This is where cachers are able to come along to swap Travel bugs and geocoins - obtain information sheets - have a look at the odds and ends table and to collect caching sheets. The school room will be open to cachers from 10am to 16.30hrs.

We will remain at the park for the weekend as we are booked into the hotel for the night – along with Write and Mane and Mollyjak. To enable us to be able to list Travel bugs and coins for the event you are asked to book travellers in by the Thursday morning before the event at the latest.

An informal “bring your own” barbecue is being held in the evening at the campsite - giving an opportunity for cachers to swop stories about the days event – and to enjoy an evening socialising together. A can or two of course will be enjoyed so remember to take a tinny or two – more if you like..

A raffle is also being organised by Zetetic with the proceeds going to the Mountain Rescue – a noble cause as we never know when one of us may need these brave lads.. The event is making nothing at all from this so donations that could be used as prizes will be gratefully accepted – particularly if they are caching related. If you can help with a donation Zetetic can be contacted through his profile.

The main objectives of the event are to provide an opportunity to meet fellow cachers - have fun - and to have a go at whatever local caches take your fancy.

A children's Competition has been organised by Mollyjak. Observance will be the name of the game. All entrants will receive a goodie bag that includes items in a camo bag for all those taking part that complete and hand in their question and answer sheet before the deadline. New unregistered geocoins will be won that have been bought and supplied by Mollyjak. Many thanks also to Dave the Gecko who has promised amongst other items a much sought after super Gecko as a prize. Mrs Mollyjak will also have a supply of camo bags for sale at the event at reasonable prices with all profits going to the Mountain Rescue. Again any queries through Mollyjaks profile or email us and we will pass your query on

Travel bugs and coins that have been booked into the event will be available to all those that wish to move on a coin or bug from 15:30hrs. Bugs and coins will be kept safe in the School room until then and of course can be inspected and numbers obtained to gain a logo of the coin. To enable organisers to have lunch the travel bug table will be closed for an hour between 12.30 and 13.30 hours.

Those submitting new caches for the event are asked to take along some printouts so those camping at the park and not able to connect to a computer and do a printout can join in the hunt for your cache.

Write and Mane, Mollyjak and ourselves had an enjoyable few hours at dare Valley Country park this Easter Sunday – the weather was great and if you would like to share the pictures this is the place to look.

Visitors that are able are asked to check for new caches that have been published on Geocaching.com either the day before or early on the day of the event. We will be printing and providing information of new caches to be handed out at the venue in the morning to those unable to print their own – especially visitors and campers.

The children's competition questionair can be collected in the school room from opening. Closing time for the competition will be 4pm when papers should have been handed in for marking at the school room. Winners will be declared shortly after the two raffles when prizes will be handed out.

A link to a map is available at the bottom of this page that shows the best way into the site once you have reached Aberdare.

The event will be an opportunity to help Travel Bugs on their way, especially if anyone will be off to an exotic destination soon after. If you intend to bring any TBs, “drop” them into the cache online a few days before the event, with a note of their objectives. If you can help a bug on the way to its objective note this also. If you do place/retrieve a TB at the event, make sure that you log it promptly, keeping a note of its tracking number, etc.

It would help organise the arrangements if, notes are posted to indicate likely attendance. Further information will be posted as details are finalised over the coming weeks, so you may wish to place the event on your watch list. If anyone has individual queries about the event, local accommodation, attractions, etc, please contact us by email: we’ll do our best to help.

Searching for caches will be subject to normal individual initiatives and responsibilities. Any alliances formed for the purpose of looking for caches will be a matter for the individuals concerned. We greatly regret the need to make these qualifying statements but believe that, with goodwill and within the usual spirit of Geocaching, there is no reason why it should detract from the event and everyone should still be able to have a good time.

News…..With the weather set fair it is going to be a good night for a BBQ. The BBQ is expected to start around 6.30pm so there is plenty of light left - and will be managed by 'The Royals'. If you have BBQ equipment bring it along as it will be needed and is sure to be put to good use. Hopefully those that want to participate in food around the BBQ that do not have their own equipment will all contribute something to cook and it will be a good evening. There can be no nicer way to end a good day then a campsite nosh – a few cans and a good natter.

There is an opportunity to win a 'Welsh treasure' on Saturday by entering a 'Guess the weight' competition'. All will be revealed Saturday but look out for entry forms – available in the school room. The winner will be announced shortly after 4pm.

The new cache count is rising with an expected total of at least 11 new caches near the campsite expected to be online for the event One new cache will contain tokens for a special children's raffle that has been organised by flying420uk. One token per child to be filled in and handed in at the school room (only valid on day of the event. Draw will take place along with the event raffle. The cache that contains the tokens will be announced and details available in the school room from 10am Saturday morning.

So far there are ten prizes for the main raffle that include ready made caches and it is hoped a coin or two. Zetetic has organised the draw with profits going to the Mountain rescue. Tickets will be available in the School room all day. Draw takes place at 4pm...

A reminder for those that have laid caches to bring printed details of your caches to the event so campers with no access to a computer or printer can share in the hunt. Please could you bring these details with you so they will be available in the school room from 10am. If this is not possible please email us with details of your new caches and we will list and add to a short descriptions list of late caches if needed. Please note the deadline for the children's competition has now been extended to 4pm. Although Derry and Lynne are not camping at the site on Friday evening we will be there for an hour Friday evening – between 7 and 8pm to say hello to early arrivals. Look forward to seeing you there.

The morning before the event and the overnight cloud is burning off promising a nice day. Much the same tomorrow so a dry warm day is promised. After that campers may well need a brolly or coat as the weather takes a turn for the worse with some rain for Sunday – and showers for Monday. Temperatures remaining reasonable though. With so many cache to find though we are sure those staying into Monday will be more than entertained...