Often referred to as a modern form of orienteering or a high tech hide and seek ,geocaching is a new outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or a smart phone with mapping or other navigational techniques to hide and to seek containers, which are called geocaches ( we over 21's call them the treasure of treasure hunting!).

A typical cache is usually a small container containing a logbook where the finder signs in and enters the date they found it. Sometimes larger containers like freezer type boxes can also contain items for trading, usually coins or trinkets of nominal value. There might even be a special challenge within this box for the finder to take part in . Sometimes the box can only be found by solving a puzzle which adds to the fun. Sometimes its more obvious.

Geocaching is a world-wide activity and there are many caches in the Wye Valley , the Forest of Dean, the Vale of Usk and in the Brecon Beacons often at some of the most beautiful and interesting places. Visiting caches is a great way to learn about this lovely area and its hugely popular with techie teenagers ( the kind who are surgically attached to their phones) who will even go outdoors for this! Within 10 miles of Monmouth there are over 200 caches up and down the Wye Valley, some in Tintern itself ( near Tintern Abbey Cottage) , one even in Catbrook ( near Foxes Reach) , lots in and around Usk and the Usk Valley Walk ( near Vanilla Cottage) , and lots within an easy day trip of all our cottages by car or bike in all directions- most relevantly in the Royal Forest of Dean and in the Brecon Beacons themselves. We do have WiFi internet access in the cottages so when you are back indoors you can easily log finds and theres Facebook to report it all back on......

The best way to find a cache is to visit http://www.geocaching.com/seek/default.aspx and enter your geographical area of interest. (For fullest details, you set up a free account and log in)