Yesterday marked another red-letter in my geocaching experience: I placed my first two caches. I have been warned that this next phase of geocaching can become highly addictive, and it was certainly great fun!
The first of the caches is about a 40-minute paddle up the Riet River. I was with two good friends and colleagues, Greg and Karen, and we paddled quite a lot further up-river (until it was starting to get too shallow to continue easily). We heard some baboons in the trees alongside the river and I saw a couple of bushpig in the distance, but the most amazing part was the birdlife, including several malachite kingfishers, which are incredibly beautiful birds. The river inhabitants also provided some entertainment, with small fish jumping around, over (and into!) the canoe.
After planting the first cache we headed back to Port Alfred and the marina there, where we placed a second cache, before heading back to Grahamstown.I don't expect either of these caches to be found soon or frequently, as they involve a lot more effort than most (you have to use some form of water-craft in both cases), but they are rewarding and I hope that people will enjoy them if they make the effort.
