Sarah's Luck Traditional Cache
Geomatica: I can no longer maintain this so, regrettably, it's off to cache heaven. It is still out there for those that wish to find it.
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Back in 1805, George Caley, an English botanist, was the first European to collect samples of the flora in this area, trekking through the bush from current Pennant Hills east to the coast. The Wild Flower Gardens (400 acres opened in 1894) is run by Kuringai Council and commemorates Caley's pioneering effort. The satellite reception was excellent.Starbrand muggle rating 1/5
Once upon a time in a summer long ago, a family returning from a day in Kuringai Chase National Park came across a disorientated and dehydrated puppy, about 4 months old. When she had drunk her weight in water, the children chorused “Can we take her home?” The parents said “Only until we find her owner”. Calls to german shepherd clubs, the police, and dog pounds produced no claimants. She’d been abandoned. So, for the next 12 years, “Sarah” stayed. She proved to be an unusually intelligent and sensitive dog, obedient to over 20 commands - a joy to have around, and people who met her would say “You know, that dog is almost human!” The children are grown up now with their own kids and canines, but “Sarah” remains the gold standard by which all subsequent family dogs are judged.
Admission to the Wild Flower Gardens is free, despite what some maps & guides say. Allow some time to enjoy them - particularly if you go there in the spring. They are dedicated to preserving some 35 endangered or vulnerable flora and fauna. Do not bring your dog; there is a 1080 bait programme to eliminate vulpes vulpes (the red fox) and “unaccompanied companion animals” that prey on wallabies, bandicoots,quolls and small mammals.
The cache is pretty much where “Sarah” found her luck, and is the classic “Sistema” 1 litre box with small swaps. There are several directions to approach it, but just remember that if you take the Wild Flower Gardens option they close their gates at 4 PM and the St.Ives Show Ground closing varies with the event & season. So if you are going to return later, park outside. It is not a good idea to bash straight through the bush as you may bring in noxious weeds and cause erosion. Stay on the tracks and trails. Please report DNFs.
Finally, a word of warning. We have come across the Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) here, one of Australia's most dangerous reptiles. It is about 2 metres long and feeds on lizards, frogs, small mammals and birds. This snake is fast-moving and aggressive but like most snakes, it is likely to retreat unless you chase it. They won’t bother you unless you bother them. So walk quickly and quietly away.
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