Ummm, Wellington is still on the North Island. If you DO make it to the south island, I would be happy to meet with you here in Christchurch.

You guys okay?

We are all alive, although somewhat shaken. Nothing worse than a few glass cuts and some bumps and bruises -- with people dying under collapsed buildings, who can complain about that?

My daughter and her partner have lost their home, and are camping out with us right now. Our house at least keeps the rain out, although it suffered some pretty serious damage. And the rain is a bit of a blessing, since we have no water: we have put big bowls and pots outside to collect the rainwater.

Thank you for catching us up to date... praying for all but especially for you and your family.

Be safe,
hugs,
Wendy

So glad to hear you are alright!!!

Gg
***in tears as I write****

I'm glad to hear you are okay. Good luck with your recovery after this traumatic event.

I know there aren't many boxers in your country but we're any of them in the earthquake also? or are you in touch with any of them?

GG

I am not really in touch with them. In fact, I have only met one of them face to face. I know that two of them live in pretty hard-hit parts of town, so my guess is their homes are not in too good shape either. None of them has logged in to AQ since the quake, so I don't know how to check up on them.

I'm very glad to hear that you're o.k. I was worried about you and your family when I heard.

dp

Hi, Just letting you guys in Christchurch area know that I'm praying for all of you. I cannot imagine how awful it must be, especially with the aftershocks. I have a friend who recently left and has family there so I have a vested interest in you folks. Stay safe.

Hello letterboxing friends. We are keen walkers and explorers and although new to letter-boxing we area really looking forward to searching out boxes in and around our area (and further afield when on holidays). We are very keen to add some boxes to the list from some of the walks we go on in this area. Hoping we may be able to catch up with other letter-boxers in this region somewhere along the way.
azzaro

Welcome to this zany addiction.... I mean, HOBBY called Letterboxing! There are a lot of different boards so when you have questions, feel free to either check under Home which has a wealth of information and the toolbox has lots of information. Also help can be received from posting on the appropriate board too.

Again, welcome and happy boxing!!!!

Wendy
California

Welcome! I hope you will come to enjoy letterboxing as much as I have. We are from Christchurch, but the last time we were in Auckland, we found some enjoyable boxes. If your travels ever take you to the South Island, I hope you will enjoy some of the boxes that I have hidden.

As far as I know, there are no really active boxers in Auckland right now, but if my experience here is anything to go by -- just keep at it, and interest will pick up.

Janet/Dirk - thanks for the welcome. Hopefully we will visit the SI again one day, and look forward to searching out some of your boxes. BTW - Did you find the Sailboat LB, in Birkenhead? We found it yesterday (intact), but wonder if it is basically abandoned. It was placed in 2002 and the last finder was in 2008. Its not listed on AQ and the owners email on Yahoo NZ Group bounces back. Being new to the hobby, I'm not sure how you know if the boxes are abandoned or not, or what if anything should be done. We are happy to keep a check on it but imagine without a listing on AQ perhaps searchers will be limited.

Wendy - thanks for the welcome. and information. We are beginners but having lots of fun already. We found our first box yesterday - what a thrill, - cant wait to get out to seek the next one.

you'll be surprised how many of us from the States are watching this board.

I'm Goofy girl from Oklahoma (watch out for flying confetti on the boards)

GG

Yes, I believe we were the last finders of the Sailboat letterbox in 2008. Letterboxing.org was around before Atlasquest, and has many followers. It is not so good outside the United States and its territories, however, since we all get lumped into "other international". You are right, it is probably abandoned, but it seems to be working fine.

Try contacting the admins at letterboxing.org (or even AQ mail to Choi), bring up the situation and mention your willingness to adopt the box. Choi will know whether the owners are still active on letterboxing.org, and can arrange the adoption if it is appropriate.

55 Steps (Janet & Dirk)

Thanks for your help, and yes I think you may have been the last Sailboat visitor prior to our visit - I remember the foot/paw print stamp. I still couldn't find the owner 'Letterbox Ninja' listed on letterboxing.org and I've now messaged Choi at AQ - awaiting reply.

We have found this letterbox today and glad to report it is fully intact and in good order. The clues are easy to follow and its a great walk with beautiful views all around - suggest anyone - - even beginners, should give this one a try. (Its only our second box, so it cant be that hard). Surprised to see a Geocacher somehow found it in 2010 although I cant find coordinates listed on Geocaching.com website. I'm not sure if the Lamb family are looking after this now as they have not been active on AQ for awhile - (Last Update: November 6, 2009. Last Login: June 4, 2010). We will try to keep an eye on it as it is not too far from our home. Is there any way we can change its status from unknown to active??

We have found this one today and report a slight amendment to the clues.
The first fork left on the path is now the actual path - the old path straight ahead is now blocked by a handrail. The bottom few steps of the stairs now has a handrail so you are looking for the first step where the old handrail starts.

We found this one very easily and all intact - quite a few geocachers and letterboxers have visited this one. Great hiding place and a very nice walk in the Kauri grove. Polybag containing booklet is torn and could let damp in. (Unfortunately we didn't have any spares with us). Booklet has only 3 pages left for stamping.

Plant A letterbox day is almost upon us! Last year we managed to make it to the top 10 "states". Let's keep New Zealand on the map!

What is the date? We have one almost ready to be planted and can organise it for the special day

Plant a Letterbox Day is an annual event that occurs every year on May 24. If you look in the menu under Toolbox | Event Calendar, you can find it in the list of events (easy to spot because it has the "virtual event" icon), and you can sign up for it.

Today 20th May is a very special occasion. We are combining the celebration of our 6th wedding anniversary and the 6th Annual International Plant a Letterbox Day, with the planting of our first letterbox called 'Stumped by a Kauri'. (Amazingly this is also post No 66 on this board)

(cueing ...) eerie music!!!!

Congrats on all 6's!!!!

Wendy

****throws confetti, releases balloons, and rolls out the cake****

GG

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You really wanted to be the first with this, didn't you?! =)

Happy new year to you too! (Although I still have nearly two hours to get there.)

-- Ryan

Check in with us please!!