I headed out today with my old buddy Jaydogg for a few hours detecting on some recent pastures he's got permission on around the Newport area.
We arrived at the field to find a top of the line Range Rover parked in the gates. Now we know there is at least one other detectorist with premission on these fields, but were pleasantly suprised that it turned out to belong to the farmers mother. A beast of a car for her to drive, but good luck to her. After a quick chat about ramblers, lamping, the youth of today and trespassing, she wished us luck in finding treasure and we were off.
The first find of the day fell to myself in the shape of a Cartwheel penny in pretty good nick. I quickly followed this with a corroded Georgey that on getting home seems a bit thin for a Georgie - bit of work required there.
Jaydogg was also busying himself on a Georgian theme - with two George III pennies in the same hole. One of which is in lovely condition thanks to the very sandy soil. He remarked its the nicest he has found to date - which says something.
I personally moved forward on the time line a bit with a smattering of Bun Head Vicky halfpennies and my regular 1929 sixpence! Its only a 50/50, but I seem to have found a multitude of these this year.
Next in line was a trapezoid buckle bent in half with its pin intact, which told us there were likely to be hammered around, but alas todays short stint was not to produce them.
Not long after I happened upon the much sought after location of the long fabled Strictly Come Darning site of 1864! Many detectorists have been searching for this location for numerous years, and I have finally pinpointed it judging by the three thimbles I turned up in various locations in the same field. I bet Brucie was even hosting it then!
The find of the day fell as it often does to The Jaydogg, in the form of what we are speculating is a silver watch winder. The design on it looks a tad more ancient to us, but its a cracking find and no hallmarks are present. They may have once resided on the top loop which has clearly broken off. The design appear to show someone blowing a hunting horn. Any ideas out there?
That was it for the day - we headed home happy and muddy. It looks to be a good site and I am sure we'll be back in the near future.
Time to roast some beef and sip down some wine.
Cheers for now
Neil
