The soil here is very sandy and extremely easy to dig with none of the problems of gloopy soil sticking to the spades, pointers, boots and trowels!
We had been "warned" by the landowner that a club had been on the land a few times since we were last there. Indeed, other detectorists too had been there as well. This justifies and qualifies what we have said in the past that we never ask a landowner to refuse other detectorists access to their land.
The first field surveyed was in stubble and there was clear evidence that "others" had been there. With large ferrous objects and non-desirable items left next to the holes that they were extracted from, it was obvious that their finds bags were already full.
We heard the first great spotted woodpecker of 2017 drumming from two different points.
We decided to have an early break and see the landowner for an update on the past visits from other detectorists and clubs.
After a lovely cup of tea they asked us to continue our survey and report back when we were finished.
After finding a hammered coin of Edward Ist (London Mint), spindle whorls and other coins we returned to the farmhouse for a second round of tea.
We had a great rapport recollecting the cruise and other holidays around the world. Our recommendations of holidays in Sorrento and Madrid went down really well.
Other discussions recounted everything from internet speeds and possible resolutions to the choice of 4x4 vehicles.
The conversation ended with the landowner suggesting we look at a farm nearby and that he would contact the landowner and vouch for us. This permission could represent a totally different approach to the surveys that we normally conduct with regards to artefact targeting. Indeed, it could be the closest we've been to coin-shooting in a long while.
If this permission is granted, the results could be pretty spectacular.
Fingers crossed that this may happen as this would be a great challenge for the team.
High Definition images of the days finds can be seen here.