I was well and truly spoilt by the last permission, this one was very quiet (in terms of nice tones). It didn't disappoint though with another first for me.
Passed a an empty transporter going the other way as I drove towards the site, and I had a bad feeling I was too late - False alarm though, no heavy machinery onsite yet :)
Did a quick walkaround to get the lay of the land. Large central chimney, couple of extensions and what looked to be deck pilings on the north side. Crumbly concrete path headed off into nowehere for a short distance, assumed this was the washing line. Not far enough for a privy.
Water/gas(?) pipes were still lying around which pointed to the utilities corner of the building, which meant the opposite corner was likely bedrooms and living area.
Two drives were in use in the 2004 Google image, although one came across empty paddock, the other was lined with large Macrocarpas.
Pilings were rough hewn totara, rotted right through, suspect it was only the chimney that was holding this place up. That, or the multitudes of mummified rats lying around in the underfloor dust.
Also in this still dry dust were many old bottles, unfortunately all broken (Anyone tasted "Barry's Tricopherous for the Skin and Hair" ?), and a few hobnailed boots, including a childs high shoe, with the thousands of eyelets that were popular around the turn of the century.
I saved one and it's currently waiting for cleaning and treatment.
A few scraps of Herald were on the surface as well, all using pre-dec currency, but someone must have been keen to thwart me by making sure nothing had a date, or datable article!
Particularly poignant was a decomposing teddy resting in a corner.
It was now 7, and I only had a few hours before the big machines arrived, so I headed back to the car and got set up. Including a hefty dose of Tropical Strength insect repellent for the millions of ravenous sandflies.
We've all had curious kids getting in the way, but particularly persistent Holsteins are immune to curses and swear words and think nothing of trying to lick your detector (or you) to death.
Everytime I looked up
Or stood up from digging
At some stage my car got a severe licking, ever tried to wash off dried bovine slobber from your windscreen?
Wipers just aren't enough!
I digress.
Lots of iron chatter as expected, and pickings were eluding the ATP. It took a full 2 Hours before the first coin... A modern clad 10c! Hey, it was a coin, I'll take it.
I worked the edges of the house (rings and things falling out of windows, caches beside foundations, Things dropped out of pockets while fumbling for keys top open the door and so on) and all I got was an older 10c and 20c. Have to be kidding.
Reset the machine, rebalanced and tweaked it up again.
And swiftly unearthed the only tab of the day. In case you've forgotten what they look like:
Still a hunt is never complete without one, eh?
This was followed by three toy cars in succession - At least the drought was broken and things were starting to pick up.
There is no third pic...
As the first contractor ute turned up. A quick chat left them no more wiser as to, "So what's the %%%$#@ing point?" so I left them to it and kicked it up a notch. Focus. Focus. Ignore the D6 being unloaded.
Unwittingly drifted onto some recent clay fill (despite being focused) and got a solid 72. What the hell, tone was steady enough to be worthwhile.
So, nervously in front of an audience of three guys in high vis vests and prison tatts...and a cow, I was hoping for something interesting at least.
5 Yen coin, near new. Brought in with the fill from... God only knows. My honour was satisfied and so were the burly vests. The cow was unimpressed and went back to sniffing the D6.
Another couple of metres of fill and pulled a dollar. Profit! Hahaha
I got the "Ten Minutes, Bro!" call.
Shit. Out of time.
Where hadn't I gone?
Ancient fruit tree. Midday shadow, have to give it a crack.
Walking over there I got a whack at 82 - Penny or bottlecap, check, no iron grunt has to be a penny and , At last - a 1944 penny. Crap condition but oldest date for the site so far.
Quick spiral around the penny as the ground started to shake as the D6 scattered the cows and crushed the concrete front door steps
Hit the tree and after a few swings, riddled with flakey signals a 75/62 flicked up. Another roof leadhead but out of time. Flicked the pocket up... Oh yes! First lead soldier!
Quick kill shot as I got a tap on the shoulder
And all cleaned up, having trouble IDing outfit if anyone is able to help?
"Have to $%$#@$#@ off now Bro...."
"Yep, I'm clear. Thanks for waiting"
Watched the D6 blade the top foot off and over the edge for a while, mentally noting what went where for a possible return when they've dropped the ground surface by a few inches and hopefully stripped out all the post 1960's rubbish
Edited by user Saturday, 28 November 2015 3:26:17 PM(UTC)
| Reason: Emmbbarasingely bad tipo
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