Thanks Harry,
In the early days though it did take a lot of hard work, some days are still a battle. But it is the persistence that pays off I guess, or the diligence so many words to describe - definitely not luck though.
I have over these years taken a lot of time to narrow these windows down, and they keep giving. Pity it wasnt like fishing though where we just get a school of nuggets flowing through every once in a while in our windows.
In between I also study new grounds, area's, geology, deposits, etc then get out to these spots not so much to detect in the early stages but more so to survey the grounds, walking, inspecting, visualizing, digging, and maybe a swing on the initial lead up. Then after finding the signs, mark the spots and perform the tests needed to hopefully open new windows. When others start to become a battle no point spending too much extra time there, I find this is great because it breaks the monotony of staying in one area for week after week, or even months. It helps to keep me motivated every time I go back to that area.
Its funny though we always seem to go back to our favorite rich spots, out little patches that we found over the years hoping just hoping that some sort of miracle has happened and there will be another 10, 20 or even 50 nuggets like when we first found it. I keep going back past that hole of gold every time I am there and for some reason swing over it almost every time. Haha
I guess finding over 120+ pieces in that hole and close to 250 or so nuggets in and around that area will be one of my favorite large open area's with a containment of small alluvial nuggets scattered in such a large window. Biggest piece was 6 or so grams in that area. Total weight was just a touch over 4 ounces 129.6 grams in that short time of 26 days
found that area on the 15th October 2016, last visit which was visit 26 was on the 02 January 2017 - to date that's 86 days ago, on the first day I found it, and in 26 days visiting that area - would be 60 days in between for doing other things, detecting other area's or previous windows, and also inspecting new grounds to hopefully get some more opened.
4 Days of persistence in this area was an excellent start, some area's can take many days - but is important to stay focused and maintain consistency.
Day 1 1 small piece - Inspecting Area - this was one of 3 potential spots in this area, looking forward to getting to the other 2 spots hopefully another window or 2.
Day 2 2 and Chinese Coin
Day 3 Nothing
Day 4 3
Day 5 Day gold hole was found 23
Day 6 - 20
Day 7 - 29
Day 8 - 37
Day 9 - 19
Day 10 - 1
Day 11 2
Day 12 - 2
Day 13 - 1
Day 14 - 4
Day 15 - 4
Day 16 - 1
Day 17 2
Day 18 1 Piece
Day 19 Last day of the GP3500 1 Piece
Day 20 Start of the GPX Elite Combo - 13
Day 21 15 With that nice Quartz Iron Specimen
Day 22 14 with small Ironball Specimen
Day 23 10
Day 24 10 with 2 Ironball Specimens
Day 25 9
Day 26 - 8
Not sure what day 27 will bring - looking forward to getting back out - just been busy and when i go to this area I like to spend at least 4 hours there.
Total so far - 232 Nuggets within 26 days - Total Consecutive Days 23 - Weight 129.6 grams - As you can see the average size is not that great in some peoples eye's - but the total is pretty great - no matter the size or weight gold is gold - but see how the persistence paid off and added to the tally each and every time I went there, and would not take not more for an answer. Also the challenge it presented was such fun. When we are finding 6 gram nuggets even down to sub grammers in such a large spread area was extremely fun. Usually we are so use to the 1 nugget here and there, maybe a few or even a patch of 20 or 50. It was my best overall total nugget finds in one contained area so far to date.
GPX 4500 Elite Combo has found 46.8 grams since upgrading on 18th December - GP3500 paid for a small amount of that and it has almost paid the GP3500 back for his efforts
In the early days - end on end with nothing, I would often question myself - why the hell am I doing this, but I found a way to turn that around. Why the hell do you do anything because most times it is because you like to do it, not because you have to do it. Fishing hah another fishing analogy, why does he do this to us. Well when we go fishing it is because we enjoy it, we dont sit there and say why the hell do I do this, gee we can sit there all day with not even a bite but it is still enjoyable out in the open, fishing away camping etc - its just an enjoyable hobby gold detecting. I really enjoy what I do
Thats what keeps us going - I was always taught if your not having fun anymore then dont do it. If you dont like your job find another one. No point complaining
Anyway thats me for the night - just noticed the time guys.
Enjoy and I hope you all get to your windows the next time you are out in the fields. Or multiple ones
whether it be sub gram to the mother lode - it all adds up.
Cheers M.G