We headed to Carmarthen today following requests from several members to have a Detectingwales event somewhere closer to their locality and were rewarded with beautiful scenery and glorious sunshine.
We went with open expectations about the farm, but we knew it was potentially in a good location due to it being on the edge of a Roman and Medieval town and right next to a Roman Road. You never know with detecting though what will turn up. I have been detecting (with permission - I hasten to add } right up against Medieval Castle walls before and drawn a blank. This boded well for Roman, but I think the elements (well a lack of rain} may have conspired against us!
After a brief introduction and a welcome to the lovely Marian Page - our Finds Liason Officer for the day from Dyfed Archaeological Trust we were off and into the pastures.
Early morning and theres quite a few Vicky and Georgian coppers coming up along with musket balls, buttons and buckles, when I meet with Roman Ray who has one of those "swirly" Victorian gilded brooches in his hand minus its stone. A nice find - just a shame it wasn't the gold version, which knowing Ray it normally is.
Heading into another field and enroute I pass Marian's table and she already has accumulated quite a selection of finds including a lovely Georgian silver salt spoon - unsure as to who found it.
I headed into the "sheep" field and after a few bits of dross I get a signal which has me digging a good twelve inches down to see a lump of crafted bronze staring back at me! The thing won't budge and is vertical into the ground (as offerings often are}, so it results in me digging deeper and deeper with visions of a Roman chariot lynch pin in my head. Only to finally pull it out and there in my hand I have .............................................................................................a fire poker! What the Hell is that doing in the middle of a field! Answers on a postcard please.
After a break for some lunch I went off to another field where I bump into Mark (aka Melonhead} who has a stunning, monogramed silver spoon in his hand - my guess is Victorian. He headed off in search of the rest of the cutlery set. What was it with silver spoons today?
I then happened apon Zorro (Kevin} who had a Roman coin in his hand. This provided much inspiration, as at least we knew the Toga Wearers were around, it was just a matter of trying to find them in the sun baked earth!
The day was coming to a close and I headed back to the cars and my lift buddies for the day Digger (Stan} and Johnny Love Token (Johnny}. Admin arrived with news of a Medieval ring brooch - but by now the finder had disappeared, but I am sure a picture will arrive here shortly. There was also talk of a silver Half Crown of Edward and Tom's find off the day (in my humble opinion} representing a huge knight on horse back - not sure what it was made of or the date -the verdicts out for the time being. Any ideas anyone?
With sunburnt shoulders and heavy arms we headed home to Cardiff. A good day out and great to meet up with everyone and see lots of new and old faces. Including Casa Dos and his good lady Auntie Anne. Great to see you out and about mate.
A special thanks to TaffLaff for getting the land - even if I did wind him up at one point by pretending to talk to Ray about a Gold Guinea he had found. Robs reaction was most amusing. Hope you are feeling better soon mate.
Thats it for now - Barbecue and Vodka are calling me.
Cheers
Neil
P.S. thanks to Marian (FLO} for joining us and hopefully we will see you regularly from now on -it was great to have you on board. Even if you did have to cope with a few marriage proposals from the DW boys!
