After a great start in a 3-hectare field that has produced more Early Medieval artefacts than any other period, we've come to a stumbling block.
We realised long ago that our most interesting fields would eventually become a challenge both financially, and in time-investment.
This has prompted us to follow up on many already researched sites.

The joy of this research has resulted in multiple sites that require a survey as soon as possible. Time is short as the Winter Wheat and Barley has already started to grow well. On top of this, we have to battle with the British weather especially as it has been very wet over the last two Winters.

Normally, we would have probably started off with some freshly drilled OSR but some farmers are giving it a miss due to the related problems in growing Oil Seed Rape.

This weekends weather forecast doesn't look good as Storm Arwen heads our way. On the flip side, this will give us more chance to review some of the many sites we've short-listed for permissive approach.

I spoke to a potential landowner who also know's a few other landowners in the area. This will mean more research <rolling eye's>

Whatever happens we'll update you as it happens.
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We were very lucky to be able to re-visit a 7-acre field that we surveyed back in April this year.
During that visit, the soil was quite fluffy and ready for the next crop of vining peas.

This time around however, the soil was a lot firmer being rolled, ready for the drilling of Winter Wheat.
The wheat was between stage one and two in growth rate enabling a smooth swing pattern and great field surface visibility for locating pottery etc.

The first coin to see the light of day was a Roman Constantine bronze and the nest signal was a Roman trumpet fibula.
The next coin was a tiny Anglo Saxon sceat dating to c. AD 690 - AD 735 followed by a cut-quarter of Henry I.

The next few hours were unbelievable as another Roman fibula was recovered along with two more sceats (plumed bird style) also dated AD 690 - AD 735.
Two hammered pennies of Henry I and one of Edward the Confessor were also recovered.

The farmer came over to see how we were getting on and we had a great chat about all things from farming techniques to the TV series; Clarksons Farm. We all agreed that it was highly entertaining and funny but also a good reflection on farming in general.

The land had been directly drilled for a number of years which isn't the best news for metal detectorists.
The farmer did say that he was considering moving back to ploughing again. Now this would change the composition of the fields on this farm.

Two pieces of Saxon pottery were recovered so, fingers crossed, we may uncover more.

This day was truely a dream day for all detectorists.
It is so rare to find an Anglo-Saxon coin never mind four in one day along with three early Medieval coins of Henry I.
What's even more astounding is the lack of interest/enthusiasm of other metal-detectorists on local forums at such an amazing day out on a stunning field.
Obviously, those lurkers on the forums can't be interested in how to find the items they so wish to find.
I think the forums members forget that we started off exactly where they are at present.
If I was one of those dream-seeking forum members, I would certainly try to find out how such amazing results are achieved.

Anyway, I'm sure that we'll have more great days out that genuine detectorists will appreciate................

HD images of the finds can be seen here.