Harrington Park is one of those places that’s crying out for more caches. It’s not a sea of suburban dwellings with only a tiny number of public spaces … there’s a good scattering of parks, as well as Harrington Forest, a remnant of Cumberland Woodland … all potential spots for cache-placement. But up to this point, a bordering encirclement by a bicycle-oriented power trail, and two very nifty Traditionals are basically it (and one mediocre Multi)
So after doing a check-over of possible sites, I decided to add a few more. Time will tell whether the choices are good ones.
Word of advice … I have treated all these caches as being in Harrington Park. (because that’s what the map says), but there is a physical disjunction between the two developments, Harrington Grove and Harrington Park. While you can WALK easily between the two, you cannot drive without going all the way to Harrington Parkway and coming back on Sir Warwick Fairfax Dr.
(Check it out … between Forestgrove Dr. and Bradley Dr/Alexandra Cres) So if you are doing several of these caches, plan your route!!
We drive this route fairly often, and I was intrigued by this Park’s name the first time I saw it. In researching for the cache I was surprised to see it is not unique … in fact, there is an entire estate in the Shoalhaven region of NSW with the name. It was here I discovered that Corymbia Maculata is the botanical name for a Spotted Gum, a species of eucalypt common in Australia’s east. Who knew? Reaching 45-60 m. in height, it is fairly common in parks, but a little over-sized for most suburban blocks. Possibly the specimens here were specifically planted for this park, or it could be that the park was created around what was originally a stand of the trees in the bush. The rationale behind the cache name here is derived from these details.
From time to time my good caching friend, Curliebunny666 is wont to quote the (Latin) botanical name of various species he encounters when caching. I’m certain he would have understood the significance of ‘Maculata’ without needing to resort to the endless fund of knowledge that is Mr Google, as I did. So this cache is set up in acknowledgement of the general fund of knowledge that’s out there in the caching community, with a special nod and a wink in his direction.
“It’s about time” … choosing to go caching at the right time; spotting an FTF option on time; getting there in time; and working out the time when you get there. A timely FTF for Gatherer Hade