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.