goldpelican said:
$6.40 in the park this afternoon. Was like the frikking pied piper - couldn't get kids to piss off. I would pinpoint a target and about six hands would dive in trying to dig it up. Caused some arguments over 5c pieces!
I've had days like that. I personally don't stick around long and instead move on and mark the site to come back to later.
On the upside, so much traffic at a site is a positive sign there's finds to be had (especially modern stuff), but the downside is you need to choose your hunt times so that it doesn't clash with the park traffic. Those sorts of sites are best for the 'crack of dawn' hunt where the kids are either in bed or watching the morning cartoons rather than running around after you and asking questions.
I personally don't mind the odd yarn with interested people as they wander by, but there does come a time where you just wish to be left alone as well. Personally, if someone was sitting on a blanket in the park I wouldn't go up and ask 20 questions, but that's just me.
Silver Soul said:
Found while detecting In somewhat a slightly wet environment; Unfortunately not found today as the title suggests :/ (but) This Lantaka swivel cannon was recovered from a wrecked Borneo coastal trader. This type of swivel cannon more affectionately known as a rail gun (Because that's where they sat on side rails of ships) can be dated to around the 1700s by the enclosed end caps on the gimble of the swivel. If the caps were open on the gimble it would date more to the 1600s for those that are interested in this type of knowledge.
It is not gold, but it does make up for an interesting find! and is valued @ 1.5 ounces of the fine yella stuff (Sorry not for sale) Enjoy
Amazing relic find and I'd actually keep something like that off the radar as much as possible. Depending where you found it, a find of historic significance like that can get you attention you don't want to deal with IMHO.
Probably the best desk relic you could possibly think of though. Find of a lifetime material right there if you're into the whole relic scene.
I'm personally on something of a hiatus concerning detecting at the moment.
Apart from the weather in Sydney which has been seriously all over the place (either too hot or too wet) I've been hit with the dreaded first quarter billing cycle which ate up all those goldies I was saving for a new machine.
In conjunction with that, my last 5 or so hunts yielded very little. I've had a very hit and miss experience with suburban sydney of late and whilst I've found parks that are perfect on paper (high traffic and plenty of age) I've been seriously let down when in the field and that too has had an impact on my motivation.
As Eureka stated before, Metal detecting is a very 'hit and miss' hobby and any experienced detectorist will relate stories about dry spells which have you wandering around thinking to yourself 'why am I even bothering?'. But then you find that one good find and you're 'back in the game' as it were.
If you don't mind hobbies like that, then it's definitely one to fill your time and get outdoors.
Just don't expect the goodies to fall in your lap is all I'm saying. It takes a lot of time and effort, ability and luck to be in the right place at the right time to make it count. Australia might not have a long history, but MANY suburban parks and beaches were hit pretty hard during the 70s and 80s by detectorists which is why a lot of these areas simply have nothing to offer any more unless they get more traffic.
That's why a lot of detectorists either go with the gold fields in areas not swung before, or the beach where new finds are a regular occurance.
People just need to be aware of these things and go in with eyes open and expectations in check. You may very well get really lucky, but more often than not, chances are you're going to put in a lot of effort for small reward.
That said, I'm enjoying the downtime at the moment and will undoubtedly be back in the mix shortly when the weather relaxes a bit and the 'urge' to swing comes upon me again.
I have to admit it's bloody hard restraining myself from not cashing in an ounce of gold to go buy a new machine though... I keep looking at that glossy Etrac and admit I'm sorely tempted!
