NO PEBBLES IN THIS GOLD STREAM!

A high hamlet in Mid Wales last weekend, bright and dry but windy though not too cold. I'd already found a miniscule amount of dust in this lonely river three years ago, but what could lie hidden a few miles above in the source was the draw.
The un-metalled but firm private road up to the highest waterfall was dry enough to risk a slow bumpy drive in my campervan.
Three streams converged into a cauldron, crossed by a quaint packbridge, so I chose the smallest stream, expecting to eliminate it and move over.
Previously my overburden challenge has been invariably composed of rounded cobbles and pebbles, with the hardpack mud and bedrock cracks rewarded after two or three or more foot of digging and washing. This small stream was different, the shale was sharp, angular and irregular, tightly packed, with rich mud in the first few inches, but easy to pry apart. There were no rounded cobbles or pebbles, the weathering was extremely immature. This was not the kind of gravel in which salmon or trout would spawn, it would be far too hard on their tails. I had a few cuts in my hands after a short dig, even through my builders gloves. This would have to be a very careful exercise indeed, lest I slash an artery in my wrist.
However, not far down the first large specks of gold showed themselves in the black rubber sluice mat. I felt closer to the source than I had expected on this trip. I fully expected to find large flakes the further down I ventured, and I estimated that the bedrock was around four foot below. With the source being so close and the material being so slow-moving, I believed that there was every prospect of a rich reward here.
As my mind raced the wind picked up and a mist began to descend, so I thought it prudent to pack up and drive out before the steep exit became slippery.
I showed the farmer and his family what I had found and promised to return for a more sustained dig when conditions permitted.
The farmer's wife invited me to stay for dinner and we discussed the practicalities. I greatly enjoyed the fresh Welsh chicken from the farm, although I commented that the potatoes were so delicious they may have been Irish! I am an Ulsterman of course.

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G'day Brian, That Sounds like a Perfect Day and an even more Perfect Evening, Thanks for the up Date, It's nice to hear a Happy ending,

Thanks again Mate

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		Quote:			Posted by Waulespan
	Thank you both for your kind comments Nickel and Ridge. I think of that day as a happy beginning. It is a somewhat lonely spot, with no radio or phone signal, but at least I won't have to worry about officials turning up waving byelaws, or unfriendly competitors. If I get back there next weekend, as planned, I will post a picture of the dig and any decent sized flakes, if I should be so lucky. Wales is open for business.

Brilliant Brian, that's terrific, Please Keep us in the Loop on this One Because at long Last (more than 5 Years) it seems like the tide has turned for the Better,

Take Care Mate, RR

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		Quote:			Posted by Waulespan
	Will do Ridge. By the way I haven't heard back yet from Natural Resources Wales about the salmon spawning locations data, which they don't appear to have any of, and the many other environmental and legal questions I asked. The funniest contradiction is their statement that natural erosion in rivers is important to maintain habitats, whilst being opposed to any minor erosion by humans. Their attitude is that fish can cope with massive natural erosion all year round, but can't tolerate a bit of scraping about by the odd prospector!

They have lost the Plot, So I wonder how Salmon get up 10 to 20 water Falls when it they are not flowing ??   That crowd are a Legend in their Own Minds,

So who is to Blame when it's in Full Flood Then?? and it is rolling 2 foot bolders down stream, ??

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		Quote:			Posted by Waulespan
	Indeed Ridge, their powers of logic are not their strong point. Which is probably why there have only been threats of prosecution.

Well Its good to know If I Loose my marbles I can always go there and Get A Government Job,

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