Today was chilly in the morning but the blue skies promised another hot day.
Whilst heading for my Thursday bonding with my father which is an enjoyment I look forward to each week, (only said because he reads this) I stopped off at a couple of barked playgrounds on my way.
First up, I decided to revisit Moire Park, home of Massey Rugby Club. Regular readers will recall my mammoth haul of $20.50 last month from the very same park. Seeing as the rugby season has kicked off I thought that the park would have been well populated with relatives of the players and maybe replenished with lot's of goodies. Well I did a quick 15 minute wander around and that produced $2.20 and several nails. I think I will give it a few more months before my next visit.
Then I headed for Starling Park, home of Ranui-Swanson soccer club (a proper sport) for many years and now, I noticed, a base for Waitakere Bears softball too. I was amazed at the work going on there. They now have a huge club rooms and it looks like an artificial pitch is being laid. A large area was freshly scraped and ideal for a little detecting but it was surrounded with big fences and a construction area with 'keep out' signs, which was a shame. The whole complex was progress indeed from the little wooden shack and ankle deep mud I remember many years ago. It will be a great asset when it is finished. Though the soccer club will always be crap compared to the mighty Oratia United (my club).
 |
| Startling Starling Developments |
I drove around to the playground in the top left of the picture of the plan of Starling Park, (see left).
After climbing a small bank I reached the site and got to work. Small denomination coins and small nails flowed out of the bark and every now and then a golden surfaced too. Then the jewelry started to kick in. First up a plastic but none the less bejewelled hair grip. Then one of the strangest bangles I have ever seen. Obviously designed by Salvador Dali's demented brother on acid. It has two weird small lateral bits madly entwined, both with holed squares at the end of each protrusion both sprouting out of a single twig. The clasp was welded on but had a very small Philips screw through another strange fixture. Made I think of copper and totally impractical for a bracelet. After further study I really have no idea other than the bangle angle to what it is. It fairly worn so I assume it had lay there for a while. A few more coins, both gold and silver, then yet another paua inlaid crucifix. The colours the paua can reflect make it popular with jewellers in the Pacific. It's the second crucifix I have found inlaid with Paua shell in the last few weeks. Very pretty.
 |
| Add caption -Because I can't ! |
 |
| Crosshair paua grip |
I have now five crucifix shaped items and four heart shaped. Obviously the most two common designs for jewelry in the world. Another bleep and I extended my overseas coin collection with an American coin. A single American cent. Must check the exchange rates for the 'Most Worthless' coin contest, which is currently held by Gareth's Spanish one Euro.
Then after turning over what I thought was a button I found, in my opinion, the find of the day.
A nice locket.
 |
| The rubiest locket ever. |
 |
Locket alongside USA cent
|
Another few coins and my time was up. Off to the art club to get me Dad, doctors, shopping, visit my sisters shop, Henderson Seafood's,(purveyors, I might add, of the freshest fish in Auckland) and then home to a few beers.
So maybe an hours detecting all told and not one hole dug either, just a bit of scraping away at the bark. Apart from the junk, which was surprisingly sparse, and the quasi jewelry, I managed to pull up $9.20 in spending plus of course the American Cent.
 |
| The days keepers. |
See you out there.
