Detecting Wales Rally 80 Day One - ‘For Your Eyes Only’

[Neil]

Detecting Wales Rally 80 Day One - ‘ For Your Eyes Only’

The weekend of 13th September 2014 saw the return of the long anticipated gathering that is the Detecting Wales Two Day Rally. Over the years this event has taken legendary status amongst detectorists old and new, and this one set the bar even higher.

This year we were located in the outstanding area of natural beauty that is Ross on Wye. We fortunately had a farm that boasted 600 acres of arable for us to get lost on, and also a vast array of home comforts that you never normally find on a farm including a huge camping area, a petting zoo, sauna, hot tub, outside drinking & barbecue area, breakfast room and most importantly a bar!

I feel compelled to add at this point that every member of DW was made as warmly welcome as possibly by the most hospitable farmer and family I have ever met. Nothing was too much trouble for them, and it was great to see them join us in the fields swinging detectors. We thank you for having us stay on your farm, and hope we provided some entertainment and good company for you.

I finished work and managed to arrive at the farm around 7.30 on the Friday evening, to be greeted by an array of tents, motor homes and caravans already erected in what was basically the farmers garden!

As the night drew in, members old and new gravitated towards Dylan’s expansive light display that slowly got trod on or snapped as eyes were firmly focussed on the heavens above, searching in vain for the fabled northern lights. The night seemed to flash by and pretty soon we all retired at around 11pm to be rocked asleep by the lullaby of what can only be described as the noise a walrus might make in the dating season. Poor Doug Turner took the brunt of the blame for this and we must profusely apologise to him, as he was also being deafened and spent the night kipping in his car.  It just sounded like it was coming from his tent, but it transpired after speaking to Big X Honi the following morning that a certain Mr Pitbull was to blame!

Saturday saw dawn break with a chorus of songbirds, and the smell of sizzling bacon arousing us from our sleeps. The first order of the day was a delicious breakfast which was being provided by Ben in the fabulous surroundings of his own personal bar and was produced on a scale that could have fed a ravenous army.

The troops and the new arrivals were fed, with a quick historical overview provided by Cheffy, then we were off in numerous directions to see what waited to be discovered.

The first find of any note fell to the afore mentioned Cheffy, and was an eyes only find that many of us dream of making, but few of us ever do, in the shape of a tanged flint arrow head. A real beauty of a find which Cheffy tentatively dated to the Bronze Age.

He was quickly followed by Mike the Afro who initially found two matching lead tokens, and then promptly upped the ante by pulling out a Vicky Young Head Half Crown from the 1840’s. That’s a real lump of silver to have lost then and bizarrely is Mike’s second half crown in as many outings.

Surprisingly I was next to join the finders with a new artefact for me, that was also an eyes-only find. I have previously marvelled in the Museum of Wales at their collection of glass and polished stone beads, and as I was picking up some blue and white pottery for her indoors (she glues them to plant pots) I spotted a rather unusual shaped stone glinting in the sunlight. A quick wash with Damon Key’s dog water revealed an ancient bead in all its glory. The photos really don’t do it any justice and it will be going to my local FLO for further confirmation. I was as pleased as punch and probably following last nights shenanigans looked like him as well!

Numerous finds of the musket ball, broken shoe buckle, thimbles and copper coinage variety popped out all over the place, but the first Roman of the weekend also fell to me in the form of a Trumpet Brooch that would have been a cracker but after 1800 years had lost some of its lustre.

I wasn’t to be the only Roman finder of the weekend though as the next person I spoke to was JRD who had found a bomper of a Sestertious with loads of detail left on it. He was quickly followed by Dominic who I believe had also found a lead Roman Nubian head. The verdict was undecided on the period but the context of the find and the haircut (not unlike Nobbys) convinced me personally it was Roman.

The first hammered coinage of the day started to arrive with a couple of decent pennies, cut halves, cut quarter and a Charles 1st half groat. This was joined by milled silver a plenty, the stand out one having been uncovered by Da Monkey was a George III Half Crown, which he promptly gave to the farmer. Very nice touch mate and while on that note well done all the members who gave finds to Ben, including Doug with a unusual spur rowl and a Charles 1st half groat.
  
4pm witnessed the start of the token raffle. Earlier in the day Proconsul (who had spent the day finding pot legs) had sewn a field with about 100 tokens, and as with every year the token won a raffle ticket that then meant the finder had the possibility of winning a prize. This years eclectic mix included numerous unusual prizes including kitten socks, talking satsumas, a DAB radio, wines, chocolates and even some Lord of the Rings figures (which found a welcome home in Ben’s sons hands)!

As the first day came to a close we all decanted to the outside barbecue and drinks area where Ben had set up a bar and Deadlock hosted an excellent quiz washed down with beer and burgers! The winners of the quiz with an astounding 40/40 were professional quiz goers (well they should be) Rooky Pair aka Bob, and Cherry, Ozzy, and Jess (Deadlocks girlfriend). An outstanding effort by the team that put us all to shame!

The Quiz naturally led into a few finds cases going on display, and as the beer flowed and numbers dwindled the spirits seem to appear from numerous sources including a distilled mushroom hooch and one of our Polish members with some lovely tasting vodka. Its amazing how quickly we all began to fall over and slur our words after this – must have been something in the burgers! Newbie, Ian probably had the most entertaining fall of the night much to my amusement, as he just couldn’t get back up. Luckily Alun was available to offer a helping hand as I was in no fit state to help anyone!

The midnight hour was upon me, so I left the rest still partying into the early hours and with wobbly legs and a full stomach I managed to lurch back to my tent to sleep soundly and dream of what finds the next day would unearth.


                  To Be Continued . . .

[Neil]

More

[Neil]

Again

[Neil]

Some more - Day Two tomorrow!

[Doug]

A good write up Neil.

The weekend, good company,fantastic hosts with Ben and his family, beautiful scenery and the finds are outstanding.

Giving the family my finds was the least I could do and hopefully it will remind them of the weekend.

Apologies accepted for the 'snorer of the year 2014' title but by 3 am I had enough so I slept in my car for the rest of the night, plus Saturday night also.

Doug

[DEADLOCK]

Wow hell of a write up Neil but you missed ozzy ozborn popping into say hi.

[nobby]

Great write.....can't wait for tomorrow's 

[jcb (THE THIMBLE) jones]

Wow hell of a write up Neil but you missed ozzy ozborn popping into say hi.

also fozzy bear popped in for  a can or three
cracking write up neil , didnt realise so much was found , the arrow head looks a beaut

[Dryland]

A great write up Neil and as has already been said what amazing hosts. The weekend was absolutely brilliant , and I couldn't have wished for better company. i can't wait for the next two dayer

[celticspikey]

Detecting Wales Rally 80 Day One - ‘ For Your Eyes Only’

The weekend of 13th September 2014 saw the return of the long anticipated gathering that is the Detecting Wales Two Day Rally. Over the years this event has taken legendary status amongst detectorists old and new, and this one set the bar even higher.

This year we were located in the outstanding area of natural beauty that is Ross on Wye. We fortunately had a farm that boasted 600 acres of arable for us to get lost on, and also a vast array of home comforts that you never normally find on a farm including a huge camping area, a petting zoo, sauna, hot tub, outside drinking & barbecue area, breakfast room and most importantly a bar!

I feel compelled to add at this point that every member of DW was made as warmly welcome as possibly by the most hospitable farmer and family I have ever met. Nothing was too much trouble for them, and it was great to see them join us in the fields swinging detectors. We thank you for having us stay on your farm, and hope we provided some entertainment and good company for you.

I finished work and managed to arrive at the farm around 7.30 on the Friday evening, to be greeted by an array of tents, motor homes and caravans already erected in what was basically the farmers garden!

As the night drew in, members old and new gravitated towards Dylan’s expansive light display that slowly got trod on or snapped as eyes were firmly focussed on the heavens above, searching in vain for the fabled northern lights. The night seemed to flash by and pretty soon we all retired at around 11pm to be rocked asleep by the lullaby of what can only be described as the noise a walrus might make in the dating season. Poor Doug Turner took the brunt of the blame for this and we must profusely apologise to him, as he was also being deafened and spent the night kipping in his car.  It just sounded like it was coming from his tent, but it transpired after speaking to Big X Honi the following morning that a certain Mr Pitbull was to blame!

Saturday saw dawn break with a chorus of songbirds, and the smell of sizzling bacon arousing us from our sleeps. The first order of the day was a delicious breakfast which was being provided by Ben in the fabulous surroundings of his own personal bar and was produced on a scale that could have fed a ravenous army.

The troops and the new arrivals were fed, with a quick historical overview provided by Cheffy, then we were off in numerous directions to see what waited to be discovered.

The first find of any note fell to the afore mentioned Cheffy, and was an eyes only find that many of us dream of making, but few of us ever do, in the shape of a tanged flint arrow head. A real beauty of a find which Cheffy tentatively dated to the Bronze Age.

He was quickly followed by Mike the Afro who initially found two matching lead tokens, and then promptly upped the ante by pulling out a Vicky Young Head Half Crown from the 1840’s. That’s a real lump of silver to have lost then and bizarrely is Mike’s second half crown in as many outings.

Surprisingly I was next to join the finders with a new artefact for me, that was also an eyes-only find. I have previously marvelled in the Museum of Wales at their collection of glass and polished stone beads, and as I was picking up some blue and white pottery for her indoors (she glues them to plant pots) I spotted a rather unusual shaped stone glinting in the sunlight. A quick wash with Damon Key’s dog water revealed an ancient bead in all its glory. The photos really don’t do it any justice and it will be going to my local FLO for further confirmation. I was as pleased as punch and probably following last nights shenanigans looked like him as well!

Numerous finds of the musket ball, broken shoe buckle, thimbles and copper coinage variety popped out all over the place, but the first Roman of the weekend also fell to me in the form of a Trumpet Brooch that would have been a cracker but after 1800 years had lost some of its lustre.

I wasn’t to be the only Roman finder of the weekend though as the next person I spoke to was JRD who had found a bomper of a Sestertious with loads of detail left on it. He was quickly followed by Dominic who I believe had also found a lead Roman Nubian head. The verdict was undecided on the period but the context of the find and the haircut (not unlike Nobbys) convinced me personally it was Roman.

The first hammered coinage of the day started to arrive with a couple of decent pennies, cut halves, cut quarter and a Charles 1st half groat. This was joined by milled silver a plenty, the stand out one having been uncovered by Da Monkey was a George III Half Crown, which he promptly gave to the farmer. Very nice touch mate and while on that note well done all the members who gave finds to Ben, including Doug with a unusual spur rowl and a Charles 1st half groat.
  
4pm witnessed the start of the token raffle. Earlier in the day Proconsul (who had spent the day finding pot legs) had sewn a field with about 100 tokens, and as with every year the token won a raffle ticket that then meant the finder had the possibility of winning a prize. This years eclectic mix included numerous unusual prizes including kitten socks, talking satsumas, a DAB radio, wines, chocolates and even some Lord of the Rings figures (which found a welcome home in Ben’s sons hands)!

As the first day came to a close we all decanted to the outside barbecue and drinks area where Ben had set up a bar and Deadlock hosted an excellent quiz washed down with beer and burgers! The winners of the quiz with an astounding 40/40 were professional quiz goers (well they should be) Rooky Pair aka Bob, and Cherry, Ozzy, and Jess (Deadlocks girlfriend). An outstanding effort by the team that put us all to shame!

The Quiz naturally led into a few finds cases going on display, and as the beer flowed and numbers dwindled the spirits seem to appear from numerous sources including a distilled mushroom hooch and one of our Polish members with some lovely tasting vodka. Its amazing how quickly we all began to fall over and slur our words after this – must have been something in the burgers! Newbie, Ian probably had the most entertaining fall of the night much to my amusement, as he just couldn’t get back up. Luckily Alun was available to offer a helping hand as I was in no fit state to help anyone!

The midnight hour was upon me, so I left the rest still partying into the early hours and with wobbly legs and a full stomach I managed to lurch back to my tent to sleep soundly and dream of what finds the next day would unearth.


                  To Be Continued . . .

What a super rally, great finds good hospitality by the looks of it and unless I'm mistaking there was alcohol involved some were along the line, wish I could have made it....and great write up Neil as usually .