Sat, 10th Sept, 2016 Bush camp near Granite Hills Well, 45km E of Nullagine to Bush camp 5 km E of Nullagine, WA

Very cool this morning – only 13.5 degrees at 7am, clear sky and still. Lucky we still have the blankets on the bed. It doesn’t take long to warm up though.

Packed up and headed into Nullagine to top up with water and get a couple of things from the general store. Shouted ourselves an icecream too – such luxury.

Called in on Joe, friend of Rod Betts and also Mel and Sandra. His wife, Peta, said he was out detecting and would be back on Monday so we will call back then.

Drove around to the van/trailer park under the Lookout then walked up the steep road to the Look out. Named after a local war veteran.

Nice view over the town. Some dust was coming up from a couple of the mines.

Back to the park for lunch – very quiet here except for a few ‘local’ kids playing on the playground equipment. Steve chatted with a couple of mine workers picking up lots of core sample trays for the Blue Spec Mine. When we went out to it there was a dozer cleaning up the area so it must be going to be opened again.

Decided to drive back out of town a few kms to some pending ground for a few days. Found a tree and got out the rake to clear the spinifex away so we could get the van under it. 35 degrees in the van with all the vents and windows open – during the day it is summer, evenings are still winter (well for us that is).

Looked up the penny Steve found – 1863 Penny, Queen Victoria, Great Britain.

Bronze coin; Denomination: Penny
Royal Mint, London
Queen Victoria (1837-1901)

Obverse Description

Bust of Queen Victoria facing left wearing bodice and a mantle decorated with rose, thistle and shamrock; in her hair a wreath of leaves and berries tied at back with ribbon, her hair drawn to a plaited bun behind, she wears a circular broach; around, VICTORIA D: G: BRITT: REG: F: D:

Reverse Description

Britannia seated facing right on a rock wearing a helmet and breastplate with flowing dress; she holds a trident and rests her right hand on a shield which bears the combined crosses of the Union Flag; at right a ship sailing away; at left, a lighthouse; around, ONE PENNY; in exergue, 1863.

I had cleaned it with vinegar and bicarb and it went dark so I looked up cleaning coins and it said “Don’t clean coins” – Oops. Collectors like them in rare state – oh well we will just keep it as a souvenir as it is a bit bent any case.

I uploaded my blog etc then headed out to detect with Steve. I lost interest quickly but he came back with one little nuglet.

Rang Mum and Dad for a chat – all well at home. Lovely sunset as a few clouds have come over from the South West. 

Warmer night though it cooled off about 10pm that we had to close the windows. We can see a mine in the distance – the lights are on and the big trucks rumble by in the distance.