Arriving at Glen Alva

Today was a fairly easy run from Springsure into Emerald - a short trip of 66 kms. Everyone fuelled up, did some final shopping and filled all the water containers ready for the trip to the gem fields, which was another short run of 78kms to Glen Alva.

We arrived around lunch time and were met at the gate by Garry and Carol and shown to the camping area.

After setting up camp Garry showed us around the 2 gullies which are prospective for sapphires. Both gullies have been extensively dug and it is hard to see what is natural ground and what is old diggings.

In the second gully I found what looked to be an interesting spot - wash clearly obvious behind a dead tree in the bank of the gully. I claimed this spot in the traditional manner by throwing a couple of drums into the gully to mark where I was going to dig. I picked the spot because it looked to be the easiest digging of all of the sites.

I set up my gear and Ross also started in a hole in the same gully. It was pretty easy to get a couple drums of wash to sieve and put through the willoughby. In my first sieve I picked up a smallgreen of 4-5 carats which looks like it will be a cutter. Being on a winner I called it quits for the day. The rest of the group were surprised when I arrived back at camp as the stone I found ws better than Garry had found in nearly a week of digging.

Ah well tha's the luck of fossicking and tomorrow will be a different day.

Jane and Joel eventuallyoined us at Glen Alva after spending the morning at Springsure looking for Labradorite. Joel was rewarded for his efforts with some very nice clean pieces that will facet.

Photos tomorrow..