Date : 10 August 2024
Time : 19h00 - 21h00 or whenever
Venue : Saints Club, Bloemfontein
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NEW CACHE PROGRESS
8 placed, 17 submitted, 74 scheduled (as at 30 Jul)
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Complimentory Events
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ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
So many cachers around South Africa have asked me to invite them to come caching in Bloemfontein. Here's your invitation and we're making a big deal out of it because it doesn't happen often.
From date of publication to the event date, we have a small team laying out caches to be published on the morning of the event. We are aiming for at least 100 and have invested quite a bit into it. So far, we're up to [will updateas reviewers have confirmed caches are scheduled for publication].
The Friday prior is a public holiday (Womens' Day) so you could make a weekend of it. Perhaps it would be a good excute to head to do some caching in a nearby town or even take in the big hole in Kimberley. Some who haven't done the old caches in Bloem may use the day to get those in or complete the 051 geoart. We have a team which will do maintenance runs in the month leading up to the event.
The event itself will be hosted at the Saints Club where there will be a cash bar available and you're welcome to bring your own meat to braai. We'll provide some salads and such.
Now for Bloemfontein...a great place of caching with some interesting history. Home to the 5th oldest active cache in the country and subject to many entertaining ventures in the forums such as the 2011 Le Cache Mans. It was also home to the legendary Oom Louwtjie who was annointed geocacher of the month in February 2013 by HQ thanks to creative hides, some of which have been maintained by the local community.
Those trekking from out of town have so many interesting opportunities for some lovely finds such as a historic Sand River Monument (also a 2001 cache) if you're coming from the north. Those coming from the east can do a legendary 5/5 Spiderman (bring your rope). Of course the south road also gifts opportunites for two blockhouses (one of which is also a 2001 cache).
Those coming in from far may find plenty of accomodation and if you need any advice, feel free to contact the CO.
Fun things to do in Bloemfontein include:
- A trip to the incredibly well curated War Museum of the Boer Republics and Womens' Memorial where Emily Hobhouse is inturred (you'll find some caches and a wonderful adventure lab explaining the statues there)
- Have a picnic at Oliewenhuis Art Museum and Sculpture Park (some caches and small hiking paths are to be enjoyed)
- The iconic Naval Hill is at your disposal where you'll find some caches and giraffe...and zebra...and buck...and a Mandela statue. Oh and even a 5km running path.
- Ramblers Sports Club which was established by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle during his time as a Doctor here during the war.
- Botanical Gardens the home of a really fun multi cache.
And of course, with enough interest, we can arrange so fun things like
- Game drives
- A private viewing of the Freshford House Museum
- A trip to the planetarium
This cache page will be updated regularly as more caches are prepared, other events created and new plans are made to fill the weekend. Please reach out if you have any suggestions or questions.