Tues, 7th May, 2019 Bush camp near Mertondale Mine, north-east of Leonora, WA

Slept in!! 7.30am 11 degrees, clear sky and no breeze.

Ray and Carol went for a drive to check out the other pending areas. We went back to our spot and Brian and Kerry kept working their area. I got a little bit in the first 10 minutes then nothing after that – this could appear to be hard work, but we all love it.

Back to camp for smoko then Steve wandered off from camp while I did the washing with my music up loud – we don’t have a speaker on the outside of the van anymore. The sun was shining on where I was working so I could get about in shorts and singlet for a change.

Brian and Kerry are doing well with their little bits, slowly adding up – not bad for beginners.

Late lunch, 21 degrees. Margaret and Bob texted that they were in Leonora. Had decided to leave early. They will come up here and join us.

The two chaps we met from Victoria called in to see how we were going. They only have one bit of gold from their area.

Went back to our spot again but only found lead shot. Back to camp for smoko so we are there when Bob and Margaret arrive but they had beaten us and were already setting up camp near our van. Margaret had picked up some fruit and vegies for me and of course my wine so I will be good for a while now.

Great afternoon catching up and introducing Bob and Margaret to the others. The wind is a lot colder so Steve put on some big logs so we had a lovely hot fire to sit around. He has two pits either side for coals for those who are cooking their dinner on the fire each night.

6pm the wind stopped so we cooked our dinner on the fire then went into the van where the thermometer said it was only 15 degrees. Watched a few first episodes of some of Ray’s TV series to see if we want them. So far they are all good so will copy all the episodes later on.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.