7am
17.5 degrees, blue sky and no wind. Looks like a beautiful day. The forecasted
front is not going to get up to us the Weather said.
Headed
back up to Jeff’s patch and Internet Hill. Drove further up the ridge and got a
few bars of reception. Steve tried ringing George from the Miner’s Den to skite
about his big nugget but he wasn’t there. Tried Rebecca & Clive but they
must have been off sightseeing.
Steve
went off for a detect while I uploaded my blog, sent some pictures of the
Windles to Mum and checked Facebook. I don’t mind being out of contact for a
while but it is nice to be able to see what’s happening with everyone now and
again. Andrea had sent a newspaper article about a big nugget for sale in
Georgetown – now that’s what we need!!
I
got onto Tengraph, the mining map site and linked it with Google Earth so get
GPS co-ordinates of the mines around the area. Jeff & Lyn arrived. A chap
from Bundy drove by looking for a mine under an escarpment so I got up the
Tengraph again so we could investigate.
They
stayed to continue with his patch. We headed back to camp for lunch. Just
before our camp we met the Bundy chap but he didn’t stop for a chap, just said
‘two more following’ and kept going. The burgundy 4WD we saw the other day
followed and another smaller 4WD. Obviously they didn’t find what they were
looking for.
I
put in the co-ordinates and headed off to explore the area. Figured out the scraps
near our camp were the old Goodin Alluvial area. Further down where the dam is
was Goodin Mine South 1 but obviously all the newer work has changed the
landscape a lot as there are so many dry-blowing piles and scrapes everywhere
now. Followed another track and found an old shaft.
Further
along were more dry-blowing piles then a big scraped area under an escarpment.
There was an old shaft there too so this must be the spot the chap was looking
for.
Found
where he had been digging – mustn’t have been happy with his find, a can.
Up
the hill was a dug out area under a tree. Steve climbed up – it went in about 6
feet.
Continued
along the track till we came to a gate with electric fencing. Turned around and
continued along another track heading towards Tunnel Hill. Lots of great caves
for the animals to hide in these hills.
A
couple of roos stopped for a photo.
Stopped
another another cave area where there was a lot of scrapes nearby.
I
was amazed at these two pillars standing tall.
Nice
spot to rest out of the sun for a roo.
Climbed
up to the big cave where there was lots of roo poo, birds nests and a goanna
hole. Great view from Tunnel Hill across the plain to the escarpment we were on
this morning where we get good internet service.
Continued
along the track veering off here and there to check out spots. Drove up onto a
ridge to get reception again. Steve went for a detect and I rang Andrea for a
chat. Then I plotted the spots from the GPS navigator and put them over the
Google Earth map to compare with the mine markings I had put on before. Steve
wandered down to a creek area and found footprints of the other guys whose car
tracks we have been following. No gold though.
Around
to Tunnel Hill. We stopped on the track before it to compare it with a photo
Steve found in one of his gold magazines. Next minute there was a 4WD behind
us. He drove around then there was another one!! Figured out the photo was of
another hole in a hill. Drove up to Tunnel Hill for a cuppa and a chat. It was
the chap from the food van in Meekatharra with some visiting friends. They were
quickly up the hill and on the top.
He
got out his drone (he also does ultralight flying) and sent it up and over the
hill. We peered over his shoulder at the video on the screen – amazing photos,
but I will resist the temptation to get one as I take enough photos with my
little camera!!
He
asked if we were from the caravans he passed coming in the red gate road so we
headed off to see who is camped there. First we had to pull off and let three
buses of kids go by!! No-one at the vans but we can see where they have been
disappearing into the bush detecting. Drove back to Tunnel Hill to photograph
it covered in kids.
Don’t
need 4WDs – just a Budget Bus!!
Followed
a few more different tracks as we headed back to camp. I dropped Steve off at
the Alluvial scrapes for a detect and went back to get the Meatloaf and fire
underway as we are cooking it in the camp oven tonight.
Jeff
& Lyn came back with 11 more nuglets – they are doing well. Steve got one
tiny nuglet – didn’t even try and weigh it!!
Bit
breezy by the fire tonight – getting colder with the beautiful clear sky. I
must be facing the wrong way as I haven’t seen any satellites lately. Dinner
was nice but the fire wasn’t beating the cold breeze tonight so headed into the
van at 8pm.
