In Reply to: G'day Steve RE: 11
posted by Viper on June 05, 1998 at 09:09:42

G'day Viper

Always wondered how you got the nickname "viper" - now I know. I guess the "au" in your email address has some relevance to the Aussie connection?

As you say Viper, the snakes in Australia sure are something to be on the lookout for. There's a lot of them around. I nearly trod on one about 3 weeks ago (5 foot long brown snake or "dugite" as they call them in WA) and the thing which worried me about it in hindsight was that the night before, I'd been wandering about on one of my leases under a 3/4 moon without using a torch, thinking the weather was getting too cold for snakes! (There's still a lot of shadows under moonlight that you've got interpret quickly unless you want to be out here all night). So much for preconception! But usually they only strike out of fear, and that's worth remembering - helps to understand them a bit better. Actually, I really do love the critters - got a certain beauty about them.

Like you say, spinifex is the worst for snakes (a spikey grass which grows in arid areas of Australia which is somewhat akin to a small cactus for US readers unfamiliar with it) and there's a lot of it about.

Viper, I was unaware that you didnt have an 11" DD coil. It's definitely a pretty good coil in many circumstances and generally fairly unresponsive to many forms of ground mineralisaton. That 38 gram nugget I mentioned was in calcrete ( a form calcium carbonate or limestone substrate which occurs in certain parts of arid Australia, for those unfamiliar with it). I've found smaller nuggets deeper which weren't in calcrete and was surprised I couldn't pick that one up. I don't know if that11" DD coil was released in the US. Definitely makes a difference in normal circumstances. Anyway, we'll put it to the test when you come over, along with all the other detectors and coils mentioned in previous posts.

I'm really glad you'll be able to hook up with me during your Oz trip - looking forward to it.

By the way, who is Hillary? Your wife? (no offense - only guessing as to who she might be - probably had more trouble with wives than snakes in the past myself!)

Kal has changed a bit - don't know when you were last here though. The gold price has take a downturn as we all know. There are probably two things which have contributed to keeping the town viable - the fact that the Aussie dollar keeps sliding in relation to the US dollar (thereby keeping the price of gold, as well as any international trade for Australia a worthwhile proposition). The other positive factor for our town is nickel mining - fairly healthy market and some good deposits being developed.

If it wasn't for the low Aussie dollar I'd probably be over there right now talking to you face to face. It's a trip I've been poised to make for a while.

Great to hear you'll be able to hook up with me when you come over - really looking forward to it. Let's keep in contact by email for details of hookup.

Regards

Steve

• Hillary - Wife?? What did I ever do to you?? - Hillary Clinton Viper 10:02:51 6/06/98 (0)