Low tide in Auckland was at around 5am this morning so Gareth and I, after a strong cup of coffee, headed off to Devonport arriving at about 4.30am.
We were eyeballed by the security guy that is protecting the venue of the Devonport wine festival due to take place on the weekend. Which will be another place worth running the detector over after it has finished.
Anyway around and under the wharf turned up little but trash so after 30 minutes, Gareth always keen to cover as many beaches in the smallest amount of time suggested we move to Cheltenham beach.
I had instant success finding two coins with my first two digs. I think that this beach is the cleanest I have detected on so far. Very few trashy items were found and targets were at a minimum. The cross harbour ferry cruised by all lit up like a Christmas tree. I didn't realise how big those ferries are.
After finding another coin just above the low tide mark I then uncovered a heavily encrusted horseshoe which I mentioned to Gareth will bring me luck. That was the last find before we headed around the point to Narrow Neck beach. The sun was crawling above the horizon so we were able to doff our headlamps and use natural light to glint off of our treasures. Again the beach from the high tide mark down was very clean with not as many pull tabs and bottle tops that populate most other beaches that we have detected on. I found just one coin, a safety pin, several long iron bolts and as usual a tent peg. The tent pegs I have found were all used in a practical way to pin down the chicken run on the weekend.
It was getting near 8.30am and we were just heading towards the car when I got a good signal. After going down a few inches I found a very heavy .925 silver ring with a big cut glass stone. A wonderful find to be the last of the day for me.
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| .925 Silver Ring from Narrow Neck Beach |
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Note the Huge Diamond, not unlike the famous but now lost 'Peacock Egg' Stone discovered in Botswana, 1966, |
Gareth then grabbed a last coin from the sand and we left for home.
An eventful trip home included two really amazing steak and kidney pies, two dodgy coffees, a car wash and 30 minutes pulling a Toyota Ute out of a deep ditch. The driver stopping for a urgent wee and he left the handbrake off. Luckily we were able to get him back on the road.
So another enjoyable early morn adventure, another ring and a few dollars spending. Life is good.
See you out there.
