Fossicking in Rubyvale

Yesterday the rain stopped overnight but it was very muddy underfoot and very overcast.  After breakfast we watched lorikeets for a while, and apostle birds (which cuddle up to each other whenever two or more are sitting on a branch) The temperature was much more comfortable after the chilliness of the previous day, which had been 13 degrees.

We drove into Rubyvale, only a few kilometres away, and tried fossicking at the Willy Wash setup, which was a different experience.  Glenn, the owner, with skin tanned like leather and a fag constantly hanging out of his mouth, likes music.  Very loud music.  Although we did quite like some of his compilation, a few decibels less would have made it more enjoyable.

     Chris tipping the bucket of gravel onto the sieve, which then gets washed in the water in the blue tub,        using the Willoughby gadget which makes the washing process easier. The sieve sits on the ring, and you push the handle to immerse the gravel then jiggle it to make the sapphires, which are heavier than the gravel, sink to the bottom.  Then when the sieve is inverted on the sorting table, the gemstones are on the top.  That's the theory, anyway.

We were the only customers and he set us up with a bucket per couple- cheaper than the other place we went to but much more rewarding.  Both couples found some very pretty stones, each of us with at least one stone worth cutting, so we were very pleased.  The time went quickly, three hours passing before we'd finished our buckets and we were all astounded that it was past lunchtime but we hadn't noticed.

John and Chris sorting and searching.  Note Ruby the dog sitting on the sorting table. She did actually get on the ground at one stage.

After lunch Chris and I drove in to Emerald to replenish stocks- there are a couple of little shops here but not much variety and we'd run out of a few things.  We enjoyed the drive back in different weather conditions and luckily Chris noticed a caravan at the showground, so we drove in there to find quite a number of vans, enquired about the price and the amenities and determined to go there in a few days (Chris has booked the Prado in for a service very early on Wednesday).  The showground's so much nicer than the agricultural ground at the other end of town, where we stayed last week, that was a big ripoff.  Ten dollars cheaper per night, too.

Today, Sunday (Ashas' 8th birthday) is quite sunny and warm.  We spent the morning looking into John's memory card to find videos of San Francisco (enjoyable for us because we were with him at the time) and other things he's forgotten he had.  John is not technologically up to date and had not been able to view the pictures except on the little screen on his camera so he was thrilled to see them on our TV.

Now, after lunch, we're heading for the Willy Wash again.  This time, with the sun shining, it should be easier to see the gemstones.