Wed, 24th July, 2019 Bush camp near Mosquito Creek, east of Nullagine, WA (Erica’s birthday)

7am 15.7 degrees, overcast and no wind – what a change from yesterday morning.

Sending birthday wishes through the air for Erica’s birthday – will ring her on Friday when we get phone reception.

Explored more areas to detect – amazing how many tracks there are out here.

Checked out an area that has been recently burnt and I found little bits in old detector holes and in the burnt area. A couple drove by on their 4wheeler and said he had found this patch back in 1985 using an old Garrett detector. He said he had burnt it and had found another half an ounce of little nuggets. I said I had found 9 bits too. Some places just keep giving.

Still cloudy when we joined the others for drinks. The light breeze was pleasant as it is still quite warm with the cloud cover.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Tues, 23rd July, 2019 Bush camp near Mosquito Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

6.30am 6.5 degrees, clear sky and no breeze. Heater on again.

7.30am up to 13 degrees for breakfast.

8.30am the wind is back.

Back to our spot from yesterday to see if we could find some more little bits – not as many but they all add up.

Tried another spot where there were heaps of scrapes but I didn’t find anything. Steve went for his usual big walk and came back with two. He also found where someone else had recently been digging in the creek and had spent a lot of time racking away spinifex and digging heaps of holes.

Back home to join the others for drinks. Another cool evening.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Mon, 22nd July, 2019 Bush camp near Mosquito Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

6.30am 7.7 degrees, clear sky and light breeze – needed the heater on this morning.

7.30am it had warmed up to 14 degrees so it was perfect for breakfast.

Went detecting and tried another spot. No joy.

After lunch went to some old scrapes and found a heap of little bits. A bit of fun digging up little bits of gold for a change.

Ice-cream for us tonight as a reward for getting a better collection of gold.

Joined the others for drinks – it was quite chilly as they only make little fireplaces, not like Steve’s big ones.

Going to be another cold night and morning by the feel of it as we headed back to the van.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Sun, 21st July, 2019 Bush camp near Mosquito Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

8am 17 degrees, clear sky and a strong south-easterly wind blowing.

Decided it was too windy to detect so Steve coloured my hair – like his haircut my colour was definitely in need of doing.

Played some games of Skipbo while we had morning tea then started the washing.

At lunch it was still only 23 degrees as the wind was cold.

As the wind settled a bit we headed out to detect near Millionaires Gully. Steve went across a creek and up onto a slope and pinged three bits right beside each other. He called me over hoping my detector would find some more little bits but unfortunately he got the only bits.

We headed home and joined the others for drinks. At least the wind has settled so we had a nice time chatting around Ray’s little fire pit.

The van was still closed up as we headed in for dinner then movies.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Sat, 20th July, 2019 Bush camp near Mosquito Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

7.30am 16.2 degrees, clear sky and no wind.

A gusty breeze sprang up from the south just when I decided to cut Steve’s hair. Haven’t done it for a while and boy it is long and thick at the back but still thin on top!

More exploring different areas trying to find that elusive gold. Managed to find a little bit each before lunch.

Followed a track along a creek that wound its way up through very high hills to a lovely valley. Unfortunately it was overgrown but it would have been lovely to walk up the gorge. Someone had camped here as there was a big fireplace made of quartz.

On the way home we stopped at an area that looks like lunar landscape. I wandered over some broken quartz at the top of a slope hoping for a glory hole like Kerry’s. No glory hole but I got a couple of quartz rocks that sang and when Steve hit them with the hammer out came some little bits of gold. I continued working the area and ended up with more bits of gold, some on quartz, others as nuglets. Steve put on his Sadie coil to try and snag a bit but it could hardly here my targets – the 2300 certainly is more sensitive. We are both glad we bought it as it has proven very handy.

As we turned into our camp area a little fairy wren darted across the track – haven’t seen on of those for ages.

Nice afternoon chatting as the wind has gone again.

Left-over stew with griddle scones – I am getting good at these. Warmer evening so left the windows open for a while. Watched the Pearl Harbour movie – very good but I can’t watch all the shooting etc when I know it really happened to people.

The wind sprang up again as we went to bed.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Fri, 19th July, 2019 Bush camp near Mosquito Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

7am 11.1 degrees, clear sky and no wind. Cooler here then when we were back in the valley.

Headed off detecting scaring Mr Bustard out of his bush on our way out.

Didn’t find much but explored lots of different tracks throughout the lease. Warmer day as the wind has gone which is nice.

Steve found two bits so I went over it with my detector and found one more speck in the quartz run.

On our way home we decided to check our scrapes that we scored a fair few from early in the stay. As we came over the hill the whole area has been burnt. This is where the others were talking about and Dave and Sue found a patch which he was still gridding. Our scrapes were further along. I managed to find two bits in a pile of dirt that had a big pile of spinifex on it, hence I didn’t find them before.

Steve made a little fireplace near our van so we can heat up the bore water for washing up and cook the pork chops for dinner tonight. We are using the gas hot water system as we have gas to burn before going to Newman next week. Much cheaper to exchange a bottle there $29 compared to $55 in Nullagine. Joined the others for drinks again.

Clouds rose in the west as the sun set creating a beautiful colourful sky.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Thurs, 18th July, 2019 Bush camp, south-east of Eastern Creek to Bush camp near Mosquito Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

7.30am 14 degrees, clear sky and light breeze. Decided to move back to the others at Mosquito Creek as we weren’t having too much luck here.

Packed up and headed back through the bull dust again and set up camp near Ray and Carol again. Brushed down the van and wiped over the windows to get all the bull dust off again.

The breeze picked up but certainly not the strong wind we have been having.

By lunch though the stronger gusty winds were back – oh well it was nice while it lasted.

Went detecting at a couple of our old spots and I pinged a few little bits. Nothing for Steve unfortunately.

The wind settled again as we headed home for drinks with the others.

Cooled off quickly once the sun set.

10pm down to 17 degrees.

Wed, 17th July, 2019 Bush camp, south-east of Eastern Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

7am 12 degrees, clear sky and still windy.

More detecting – no joy but getting a lot of exercise.

Saw Ray and Carol at their spot. They said they wouldn’t come back out again so we could try there in case they left a little bit. Ray did – I got a speck beside one of his holes. All donations gratefully accepted!!

Home for lunch. Steve went for one last walk from camp – he has so much patience. I wrote up some more of my blog. It is quite warm as the sun is beating down on one side of the van (26 degrees) but in the shade the wind is still quite cool.

Steve came back empty-handed so we played 3 to Kings for a while. The wind finally settled so Steve lit the fire then we played Skipbo while we had our drinks.

The full moon rose eventually as we had a big hill beside us blocking the view. Still no wind when we went to bed so hopefully it has blown itself out for a while.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Tues, 16th July, 2019 Bush camp, south-east of Eastern Creek, east of Nullagine, WA (4 years 11 months on the road)

7.30am 13 degrees, clear sky and the wind is still blowing.

Fozzie’s 60^th birthday today - hope he has a wonderful day.

Drove back to the track down to the Mt Hay West 1 spot and detected but no joy. Followed another track trying to get to Mt Hay West 2, these are old exploration spots on our map. A creek stopped us and I think we would have to go over a mountain too so maybe there is another way to that spot from the south.

Continued along the track heading east till we reached the west end of the burnt area. We went wandering – so much ground to cover and no indication of where gold might be. I walked along the edge of a little creek and got a signal – it was not a clear gold signal but it was a lovely little bit. Steve calls them Kinder Surprises as the nugget is encased in the gray clay soil, hence the funny sound. About a foot over I got another signal, again a weird sound and out came another Kinder Surprise.

I continued slowly up and down the side of the creek with more little bits appearing. Steve came back empty-handed just as I got another signal so I gave it to him to dig out. He couldn’t hear it with his detector in one direction but when he turned around he got it.

He said thanks and moved on. I went back over it and there was another signal right beside it. The 2300 can hear little bits much better than his detector. Shame there isn’t any more big bits around for Steve to pick up.

Headed back to camp via our new track through the creek. Passed three more vehicles – someone has spread the word.

When we got back out to the main road we saw another couple detecting by the road. We stopped for a chat. They are from Geraldton and have come out here previously, finding some gold so are happy to see the spinifex has been burnt so they can go over their area better. It is old exploration pushes. They are camped further back along the road before all the bulldust holes.

Home for a late cuppa with the wind still blowing. The sun is shining on the van and is quite warm so opened up the windows to cool it down – 28 degrees.

Played Skipbo till the sun disappeared behind the hill beside us then closed up the van again as the wind is cold and it doesn’t take long for the van to feel cool again.

No sitting out around the fire here as the wind is too windy and there is no one to chat to any case. So more Skipbo while we had our drinks then shower and dinner.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Mon, 15th July, 2019 Bush camp, south-east of Eastern Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

7.15am 13.2 degrees, clear sky and gusty wind still blowing.

Steve went off detecting. I stayed at camp to write up more of my blog and do my end of financial year spreadsheets etc. Also my hair needed washing and I wanted to put dinner in the Ecopot after lunch.

Steve wandered all over the place for no gold. Ended up going back to the dry blowing area and picked up two little bits.

Still very windy. Had a late cuppa while we played 3 to Kings card game.

Changed to Skipbo while we had our drinks.

At last the wind settled enough to get the fire going to heat the shower water.

After dinner the wind sprung up again. 9pm down to 18 degrees with the van closed up again.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Sun, 14th July, 2019 Bush camp, south-east of Eastern Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

7am 13.5 degrees, clear sky and the wind is still blowing hard.

Went exploring and detecting. Saw Dave and Sue who had two bits. No joy for us.

Drove back to the creek below the dry blowing area. I worked more of the creek with my detector and Steve went wandering. I found 5 more bits and Steve got one from up on the top of the ridge.

Went back onto the main track where the good wide road went left and a track headed up over the hill. The track was the continuation of Skull Springs Road and is now only a rough track up and down hills. It is supposed to go down and meet the Woodie Woodie Road but maybe it doesn’t anymore, hence the no through road sign as we first came up into Mosquito Creek. We turned around and headed back then followed the wide road which obviously was put in by the pastoralist as it followed a creek along to a cleared area where we guess they had the mustering yards recently. The road continues but heads north not south so we turned around. Spotted two donkeys – the male had a rope around its neck so maybe the musterers caught it but it escaped.

As we headed back we saw a kangaroo – don’t see many out here.

Back home to the van. Steve hasn’t had enough walking so he took his detector for a walk around the hills near camp – good on him. I made curry pasta and wrote up my blog.

Steve came back with sore feet and no gold so we had our drinks playing Skipbo. The wind is still gusting strongly so not nice to sit outside. Will light the fire later to heat our shower water.

Easy tea tonight – leftovers. Shower then movies.

Sat, 13th July, 2019 Bush camp near Mosquito Creek to Bush camp, south-east of Eastern Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

7am 13.1 degrees, clear sky and gusty wind. The others headed off early detecting.

We went back to Skull Springs Road and followed it through the bull dust holes and down a track to a valley to camp. It is secluded and away from the main road. We can walk down the creek to the other area where everyone has been detecting or we can drive along the road a bit to a track that follows a creek through and out onto the flats on the other side of the mountains.

Parked on a rise where the spinifex was burnt on one side but not the other.

Used the broom to wipe most of the bull dust off the van as the wind was blowing it away too. I gave the windows a wipe over so we can have a clean view. Inside was good considering the dust on the outside.

No point wiping the dust of the truck as it is only going to be covered in it again soon.

Steve got his fireplace sorted. Will have to give it bigger walls as the wind is still blowing strongly.

Had a cuppa then went for a detect around camp and through the creek to the other side. No joy unfortunately.

Had lunch then drove back out and through more bull dust to the track through the creek and to the other side. There is a creek that has been dug out, hence we are detecting here. Steve cleared a track through the burnt bushes, getting rid of any sharp sticks that might cause a puncture. I followed with the truck then I had to drive down the steep bank and straight up the other side as it isn’t very wide. I did it though I was a bit nervous getting back up as I wasn’t sure how much gas to give it to climb back out.

Detected around the area but no joy, only some old tin. Ray and Carol were further along so came back to say hi and try out Steve’s new track. They used the old one to cross over which is a lot further east. They got 4 bits and were heading home.

Home for drinks inside as the wind is still blowing hard to no point starting the fire yet and there is no one to chat too so we played Skipbo instead. My turn to have the lucky streak – hope that means we will be lucky in finding gold tomorrow too.

Kept the van closed up as the wind is still blowing and cold. Steve heated the shower water on the fire then we settled in for a movie.

Fri, 12th July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre to Bush camp near Mosquito Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

7.30am 18.3 degrees, clouds still in the north-east but blue sky for the rest. Gusty breeze.

Packed up then had a cuppa with Kerry and Brian going through their info about places to see and good places to camp up the coast for when we head there over summer. I will catch up with them in Cairns in October. They were packing up too and heading back to the pending area so it will be interesting to see how many more little bits of gold they can find there.

We headed off back up Skull Springs Road then back to where Ray and Carol are camped with Dave. We pulled in near their van. Didn’t unhook as we are planning to drive out to one of the 40E permit leases so we don’t have to drive back and forth each day.

Had lunch, 28 degrees in the van. I did some baking while Steve took my detector for a walk. A vehicle came in and then Steve. The couple, Carol and Merv from Hervey Bay, wanted some advice on where they were as they were new to all this. They had a 40E but couldn’t work out where they were. We set them straight and enjoyed a nice chat with them.

Steve found two little bits on a hill nearby. Ray and Carol came back so we joined them and the others for drinks around Ray’s little gas bottle fireplace – bit lacking compared to Steve’s big fireplaces!! They don’t sit outside till late like we have been doing with Kerry and Brian so they don’t need a big fire to keep warm. Got all the goss on what has been happening over the past two weeks.

The wind settled after sunset. Ray and Carol are going to stay here so we will see them around or in a couple of weeks before we head down to Newman.

Inside for dinner and movies.

Thurs, 11th July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA

7.30am 16.6 degrees, overcast and breezy.

Did the washing as we are going to town today as the fresh food should be in so we can fill the buckets there with good water. Wind got stronger blowing away some of the clouds so the clothes are drying quickly.

After smoko we headed into town. The sky is getting darker now, glad I got the sheets and towels off the clothes line.

Apparently the food order arrived on Sunday so there weren’t any carrots and limited other things. No silverside or roasts to make lunch meat with and the ham packs they had are very small and very expensive. Will just have to have a sausage or leftovers for lunches. There are vegetable packs for $12 so I got one with a bit of broccoli, cauli, two potatoes, an onion and 3 carrots. Will make that stretch till we go to Newman in a couple of weeks.

The wind is quite cold too so sat in the sun to warm up while we had lunch then I did my internet stuff while Steve filled the water buckets and truck. Erica posted photos of the Guinness Record they were involved in.

Left a message for Erica as she didn’t answer. It will be her birthday on the 24^th so let her know we will be thinking of her and will ring when we get phone service again.

Rang Mum to say we won’t have phone service for a couple of weeks now. They are both ok, her chest is better.

The wind settled as we headed back. Stopped at the pending area 6km out of town for a cuppa and to detect. So many people have been over this little area but it is worth trying. Amazingly I found a nice piece then another and then 11 more bits in a small area on a slope. I called Steve over as he only had a couple so he worked the slope above me and got a couple more. Kerry and Brian wandered back with 8 little bits. Brian was working the detector and did very well to hear such tiny bits. We suggested they come here for a bit when we leave tomorrow and see how many more bits they can find. We will probably stop here again on our way back south.

Back home as the red glow from the sun peeked through the dark clouds in the west. The gusty wind is back again as we had a late drink around the fire. Paul had tried to ring so I texted him back. He had rung Dale and he was well and heading over to see his granddaughter. Paul forgot to find out who was the mum so will give Dale a ring some time.

Kerry and Brian gave us a bottle of Kahlua to thank us for our help – it was a pleasure and we are so happy they were able to take home some WA gold. At one point I looked straight up at the half moon overhead and it was surrounded by a perfect big circle of cloud. Bit eerie – felt like we were going to get beamed up to the moon. Celebrated our last night together with a glass of the lovely port they gave us back in Leonora.

We chatted on till 8pm then went inside for dinner as it is getting quite cool. Will miss our fireside chatting.

Wed, 10th July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA

7.30am 10.3 degrees, clear sky and no wind. Felt ok so didn’t need the heater on.

Kerry found the Rainbow Bee-eater in her bird book. I had been calling them beekeepers. She said her father hated them as he kept bees and they would sit on the fence and just gobble them up.

Went back to the leases and tried other spots but no joy. Parked in a dry section of Mosquito Creek for lunch under the big gum trees.

Explored another spot and Steve found an old track that lead up a gully to a horizontal shaft half way up the side of a mountain. We walked up to check it out – forgot my camera. I was ok going up but I will need Steve to be able to go back down. Steve, Brian and Kerry continued further up to two more vertical shafts but they didn’t seem to connect with the horizontal one. Amazing to think what they accomplished with so little equipment and so little food and water.

At the last stop, not far from the main road, I spotted some scrapes and I got one tiny bit. Brian found two even smaller bits so he has definitely got the knack in listening for the gold signal.

It was a lovely temperature today with a gusty wind.

We just got home when Jon rang about some mail we had received. Had a lovely long chat with him then the phone reception disappeared – it is weird.

Another great evening chatting – will miss them.

NO PHOTOS TODAY

Tues, 9th July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA

7.30am 13.7 degrees, clear sky and no wind. Russell’s 60^th birthday today. Hope he celebrates it in style. Sent him a text via Valerie.

Packed lunch and headed back towards Nullagine then north through leases. Crossed a wider section of Mosquito Creek twice while we wound through big hills. Came to where we could see where Millennium Mining have an active mine up in the hills. All their exploration pushes have been up and over the hills around here to the gold must be in the hills rather than on the flats.

We took another track and detected in a creek and up big exploration pushes but only found rubbish.

Followed the track further along and stopped in a more open area by a creek. I found a little bit of gold straight away on the edge of the creek then Steve got one in the creek. Kerry and Brian wandered further down the creek but no joy.

After lunch we continued working the creek. Steve walked down below where the truck was parked and got a nice one near the creek then another one just beside it. Two more appeared in the schist in the creek itself. I joined him and got three near where Steve got his first two. Steve called for Kerry to come closer so they worked on the bank and finally got a little bit of gold – prickly so hadn’t travelled far compared to Steve’s flat, smooth, clean bits.

Had a cuppa then headed back via another track heading towards the hand pump which is on the edge of Mosquito Creek near the main road. As we crossed another section of Mosquito Creek there was a nice waterhole.

There are heaps of these big anthills everywhere – mostly on the side of the hills.

We filled up our buckets from the water tank near the hand pump then walked over to show Kerry how the hand pump works. A couple, Ray and Denise, from Bundaberg are camped there so we had a chat. Denise had got the travelling jeweller to make her a ring using the little nuggets Ray found in Cue. Very nice – I think I might get one of these. They haven’t had any luck around here yet.

Back home as the sun set so got the fire and our drinks out for another evening chatting. 6pm 25 degrees in the van. Mostly a windless day but occasionally a big gust of wind would whistle through.

Weighed our gold – icecream for us tonight, we have lowered our goal so we can have icecream as the big nuggets aren’t coming in too fast.

Mon, 8th July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA (Dad & Ella’s birthday)

7.30am 14.8 degrees, clear sky and light breeze. My Dad is 87 today. Had good phone reception so I was able to ring him and wish him a happy day.

Sent Ella a happy birthday wish too as she is sweet 16 and is out driving around with her new Learner’s Driving Licence – the last of the Geck grandchildren to hit the road.

We had marked where Steve got his last bit of gold yesterday and realised we can bush bash our way across to it from camp. Didn’t find any more gold there though. Tried another spot and Steve got two little bits.

Home for lunch. Gave my hair a wash in lovely rainwater and then worked on my blog. Steve went back detecting. I had a movie afternoon watching Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code then Angels and Demons. Both great movies that you can rewatch and still enjoy them.

Steve came back with two more bits of gold – yeah. Kerry got 4 today too. Brian is still picking out little bits of fine gold from the gold pan.

Had another great evening chatting around the fire. It has been so wonderful to be able to spend time with them and they are just so happy to have been able to find some gold.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Sun, 7th July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA

7.30am 15.4 degrees, clear sky and strong wind blowing which has been blowing all night.

Headed off past hills full of big granite rocks. They stand out compared to the other hills.

Went exploring and detecting around Mosquito Creek Mining Centre. Must have been lots of people working their own shafts as there are heaps of them.

Plenty of rubbish around too.

Recent exploration works have left long wide strips with the tell-tale drill holes piles.

Drove back to the main road and back to the granite hills.

Stopped at Granite Hills Well – lovely gums in the creek.

There must have been a tank on the platform with the well below which is dry now.

Zoomed in on these rocks as we left. I thought they were balancing well.

Back home by 4.30 so we could get the fire going for our camp oven dinner tonight. Lovely evening as the wind has settled. Always plenty to chat about with Kerry and Brian.

Sat, 6th July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA

7am 16.8 degrees, cloudy with the south-east wind still blowing strongly making it feel a lot colder that the thermometer says.

Decided to stay in the van for a while and play Skipbo. Steve still on a winning streak.

Brian and Kerry came over for a chat at smoko time.

Played another two games before lunch. The wind settled and the sun is peaking out now so we headed off to detect. Only two little bits for me. Nothing for Steve.

On our way back we chatted to a guy on a 4wheeler. Chris from Adelaide – funnily he lives only two kilometres away from my cousin, Chris. Small world. He showed us a lovely 3g nugget he just found in the creek – fancy that. He has also dug up 20 pieces of rubbish too though. He has been detecting for 4 months and only has 18 grams so we didn’t feel too bad about his finding such a nice nugget. We offered for him to join us as he felt a bit vulnerable around near the dry blower.

Steve and Brian went off to collect more firewood. The wind has settled down. Kerry still wandering with her detector trying to find the next patch. She has the ‘bug’.

Ray and Carol texted – they got their new tyres and had the car serviced in Newman so they are all good and back detecting.

Kerry came back empty-handed. The not-so-nice part of detecting – finding the next patch.

Chris joined us for a drink. He has retired at 35, 10 years in business with his brother running a computer data bank company, 7 days/week, 24 hours a day – too much stress. He decided he should get out and enjoy life. Obviously he did very well financially too. He purchased a trailer and 4 wheeler in Kalgoorlie and has been slowly working his way north.

The wind picked up again at 7pm – inside for dinner.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Fri, 5th July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA

7.30am 15.8 degrees, overcast and no wind.

Got a text from Wendy. She and Dave were travelling back from Shepparton in a Nissan Patrol wagon they bought off Dave’s brother. They are planning to go across to Fraser Island. Dave has put the race car for the Targa Cairns race on hold for this year. They head over to Canada in September for 5 weeks so they should be home when I get there. Will be good to catch up with them and see their photos of their trip.

Brian said the dingo was back this morning having a playful time around their truck.

Bob and Margaret packed up and headed off. Steve decided we should follow them in case the spring let go. They got to Nullagine ok and will head up to Marble Bar then to Port Hedland where they will try and get it fixed.

We had a cuppa at the park and filled up the buckets with town water. I rang Kaylene back but no answer. Got onto Rick who said Kaylene’s mum, Dawn arrived yesterday so they were at the shops. Jakob and Anna’s engagement party is on the 20^th.

Rang Mum and Dad, Mum is feeling better. Got her eyes tested and will get distant glasses. She also has cataracts which she will get done.

The sun is peaking in and out of the clouds and the wind is picking up from the west again.

We stopped at the little pending lease where Geoff and Virginia were. We had a wander with our detectors for half hour. I got a little bit straight away beside the truck then eventually found two little bits on quartz specimens.

We headed back home for a late lunch. Brian and Kerry are still working in the ‘stamper’ crushing the quartz then panning off the gold. Brian is doing a great job.

I did our washing and then wrote some of my blog. Steve went off with his detector and came back with two little bits.

The sky is clearing as the wind continues to blow.

Bob and Margaret texted they had reached Port Hedland safely and that Gary has arranged to get the spring replaced.

Another great afternoon chatting around the fire till it was 7.30 then in for dinner. Decided to play Skipbo tonight – Steve is on a roll, 4 games to 1.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Thurs, 4th July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA (Mum’s birthday)

7am 13.5 degrees, clear sky and breezy. Rang Mum for her 88^th birthday. She has a chest infection but is on antibotics so all is ok. She got her driver’s licence again but has to get distance glasses. Dad’s knees are getting worse unfortunately.

Jon sent a text to let Steve know one of the chaps he knew had passed away. All good there, going to see Nana this afternoon.

Wandered out from camp with my detector. I got a bit near a clump of spinifex but he was all alone. Continued on and found dig holes from the previous campers who didn’t fill in their holes. One of the 7 rules of detecting – fill in your dig holes. I filled them in hoping they left me some more gold. No joy for the others.

After smoko Steve and Brian crushed more quartz. Kerry and Brian have been amazed at how much gold has come out of the crushed quartz rocks. They are learning all about hard rock mining, using the dolly pot and gold pan.

Bob and Margaret had been for a drive and came back with one bit.

Warm day, 29 degrees. After lunch we tried another spot and Steve got a little ironstone specimen. Nothing for me.

The breeze was from the south-east then it stopped for an hour then started blowing from the west.

While we were having our drinks we toasted Margaret’s huge marshmellows – very nice. Had a great time chatting then realised it was 8pm so we headed in for dinner.

Sadly Bob and Margaret are heading off tomorrow, what a shame as they have only been here 3 days. Bob is worried about the van’s broken spring and wanted to get home to get it fixed. At least they both found a couple of bits of gold.

Wed, 3rd July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA

7am 13.5 degrees, clear sky and no wind.

Packed our lunches and headed off to explore other areas. Checked out the Galteemore Mining Centre which was were lots of old timers worked an area. Now the area has been worked over with bulldozers and deep exploration drill holes.

Steve, Kerry and Brian all scored a little bit of gold, the rest of us just cleaned up Australia. Windy day but quite pleasant.

Stopped at the old big dry blower near our camp so the others could check it out. Apparently the story goes that a Russian chap conned the local townspeople out of their money in buying this machine to work the area but it was much too large and it was a failure.

Got a text from Glen and Kym, they are back at 10 Mile Outcamp.

We all cooked our dinners in camp ovens tonight so I could give Bob his Camp Oven Certificate. Ray had suggested it after the last time we were together since Bob was learning how to use the camp oven. He thought it was fabulous.

Lovely evening chatting around the fire.

Quite cool as we headed back into our vans.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Tues, 2nd July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA

7.30am 13 degrees, clear sky and breezy.

Took the Odometer reading yesterday and worked out we have done 31,500 km since 1 July last year.

Kerry and Brian went to their patch to hammer and chisel out a quartz rock that was making a good signal. Got a photo of Kerry hard at work.

We drove along the track with Bob and Margaret and tried a new spot. Steve did his big walk while we just wandered the slopes getting nothing but a couple of bits of steel. Steve came back and as he headed to Margaret he got a signal so he got Margaret to go over it and dig it out. A nice little bit to get them on the board. She turned around and got another signal and dug out a nice long skinny bit. Unfortunately that was it.

Moved back to our patch and I gridded my spot and got 3 more bits. Steve wandered over a different area and got 4 which was great. Bob and Margaret only got rubbish.

Home for lunch – still breezy and a pleasant temperature.

Kerry and Brian had chipped out some of the quartz rock and there was lots of fine gold on it. One bit was so thin it didn’t make a sound with the detector.

We went back to our spot. Bob and I got a bit each and Steve got a few more.

Brian dug out the rest of the quartz. Steve said there will be more gold in the quartz so he showed Brian how to use the dolly pot to crush the quartz. They were amazed at how much came out of one bit. Steve then panned off the crushed rock and there was lots of fine gold.

We were all happy with our day’s work and chatted over drinks for ages as the sun went down.

Mon, 1st July, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA

6.30am 9.5 degrees, clear sky and no wind – heater on again.

Steve saw the dingo sniffing around Brian and Kerry’s truck, definitely think someone was feeding him for him to come back again.

Drove back to our spot from yesterday but only Steve scored a little bit.

I drove back to my old spot as Steve was doing a big walk again and would walk over the hill to me. I went further down the slope and got a rock that sung (but I can’t see any gold on it) near a couple of our old rock cairns. Further down I found one of Steve’s smiley faces from this trip and got a signal nearby. It is in white powdery dirt. I got out a little bit then after I had filled in the hole I got a signal right beside it. Dug out another one so I slowly gridded the area and pulled out more little bits.

Steve came back with a specimen too but you could see his gold and a few little bits.

Kerry and Brian came back but no joy for them.

Home for lunch. Steve crushed the quartz specimens to get out the bits of gold.

Bob and Margaret texted they were in Nullagine so we told them we would meet them at the turn off. Brian decided to go with Steve to help him get firewood and to do some track maintenance on the washed out bits. Kerry went back to her patch to clear more rocks and spinifex to see if the patch is bigger.

I got a text from Margaret that they were at the turn off but they couldn’t see Steve. After a while I realised that maybe they were at the wrong spot so sent off texts to see where they were. Luckily they had reception and we worked out they hadn’t come far enough out so I said to keep coming east and I got on the two way to Steve to let him know. He found them along the road and they all arrived back at camp. Unfortunately we noticed that Bob’s van had a bad lean and Steve worked out that he had broken a spring on the van. He had heard a bang as they were coming out. The boys checked it out but it will need a new one so he will just have to limp home.

The wind settled as we gathered around the fire for drinks to celebrate Margaret’s belated birthday. Margaret brought out huge marshmellows and Bob had made wire sticks so we could toast them. Yum Yum. I dished out the NoBake Cheesecake I made for Margaret’s birthday too.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Sun, 30th June, 2019 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA

6.45am 8.5 degrees, clear sky and no wind – time for the heater again.

Still have phone reception which is great. Only enough I think for text messages but that is fine. Sent the boys a text to let them know we are ok and having fun.

Drove with Kerry and Brian to another spot we had found gold at 3 years ago. Steve and I both got a few bits but Kerry and Brian missed out.

Home for lunch – after all the wind yesterday there is none now. The thermometer on the shady side of the van said 25 degrees but the one on the table in the sun read 38 degrees. Steve pulled out the awning and that temperature quickly dropped to 31.

Kaylene had rung so maybe I can make phone calls. I sent her a text back then the reception disappeared. It went in and out for a bit but I got the text sent. Rebecca’s birthday today – hope she is having a nice day.

Went detecting at another spot where Kerry scored with two bits. I had nothing after a big walk. I had a drink as it is quite warm though there is a light breeze. I walked over to the other side and was heading back when I got a bit next to a quartz blow. A bit further on I got another one but they were the only ones.

I had a cuppa, Steve was still on his ‘big’ walk. I walked over to check on Kerry. Steve appeared on the top of the hill where he got a signal, his first bit and then he got another one. As I walked back to the truck I saw a glint and picked up a bit of gold stuck onto a nice piece of white quartz. I am always looking down hoping to walk over a big nugget – well this will have to do.

Headed back to camp collecting some firewood along the way. Much nicer afternoon with just a light breeze and warmer temperature.

Sat around the fire for a while chatting while our dinner cooked on the fire. Cooling off about 7pm so closed up the van again.

Sat, 29th June, 2019 Bush camp near Mosquito Creek to Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Creek Mining Centre, east of Nullagine, WA

7.30am 13.7 degrees, clear sky and a strong wind which has been blowing all night.

Packed up camp – not the best time to roll in your awning with such a strong wind blowing but we got it in.

Ray and Carol will move over closer to Dave and Sue as they will overnight in Newman to get their tyres done and feel safer if the van is closer to them.

We headed down to Kerry and Brian. Set up camp. 

Steve spotted a dingo in the creek on the other side of Kerry and Brian’s truck. He slowly walked away from us. Maybe the other people had fed him.

Kerry was out detecting nearby. Brian helped Steve collect firewood and they got some tin and star pickets, to make a windshield, from the rubbish near the big dry blower which is on the other side of the hill. It is very windy so we aren’t putting the awning out of course.

Kerry has found a few bits of reef gold. She had walked the slopes and was heading back feeling dejected having not found anything when she had to choose to go a long way around a pile of spinifex or step over a few clumps to head back to camp. She stepped over some clumps then got a signal, then another, then another, so she has had a lovely morning.

After lunch Steve and I drove back to where we had found gold 3 years ago as Kerry and Brian were busy with their little patch. The track has been recently graded and as we had got gold off the track last time I went back over it. I got a few bits which was great. I went back to my slope where we had found heaps of quartz specimens full of gold that had been pushed aside by a dozer. Our rock cairns were still there where we had marked the spots we found gold. I got one bit straight off but then nothing. Sad not to find more but I was congratulating myself on doing such a good job when I got a target half way down the slope. I reckon I must have been tired when I did this bit as I had missed a fair few – oh well I have them now. I got a couple of specimens too which Steve will have to crush.

Steve found a few bits. One was very flat sided it must have been squashed between flat rocks.

Back home for weigh in and drinks. Kerry and Brian are very happy with their little haul which is reef gold, very prickly rather than smooth.

The wind settled at 6pm but it is certainly cooler than the previous night.

I had connected the phone to the van’s aerial and received a text from Margaret and Bob. They are heading to us on Monday from Port Hedland.

10pm down to 15 degrees with the van closed up.