Fossicking, according to wiki, is a Cornish word that we Australians have taken as our own to refer to prospecting. That being the case, and for the readership of all, I’ll sub title this article
Prospecting in Emmaville
Emmaville
Where : Emmaville is located 39 km north of Glen Innes, 662 km north-north-east of Sydney and 271 km south-west of Brisbane on the northern tablelands of NSW.
Albert and I were coming in from the south (after visiting Sydney) and some of my family were coming in from the North. We were converging at a preselected point for previously discussed activities. Namely, Emmabille (as Albert calls it in his endearing Catalan accent) and to fossick.
The adventure was my sister Linda’s idea. She loves gem stones and crystals and had been to Emmaville previously.
We arranged to stay at the Emmaville camping ground. We were disappointed by the rain, and just how cold it was. Last year at the same time, they’d had wonderfully warm weather and everyone seemed to be sporting tank tops and little shorts.
The Tent
My step father, Bill, is a notorious organiser and we dared not put up our tent until the others arrived. So we sat there and drank a cold beer… and talked about the rain and wondered how it would be to sleep on the cold hard floor again for another night.
Finally I decided that we’d better do something because it was getting rather dark… In Emmaville, civilised as it is, there was no mobil reception, so it wasn’t a simple moment of calling Mummy and finding out when they’d arrive..
Anyway, as you guess, we had almost put the entire thing up when in drives our lovely family and Bill tells us to move our tent and he’s going to do it his way.
Albert was very good spirited and the photos you may see of our camping area were designed by Bill.. He does do a good job.
The rain and the cold
It non-stopped rain for two days. It was drizzle. And the ground was cold and hard.. and I woke up with the beginning of a sharp pain in my left shoulder blade. (I haven’t recovered from it)
My son and his father were in one little tent together (Geir is a Norwegian and has come to visit Jett for 8 weeks or so), and their tent leaked and there was a bit of grumbling in the morning.
Everyone wanted to leave, but we were saved by the cake stand.
Emmaville Cake Stand
The ladies in Emmaville know how to cheer you up. There were cakes and cakes and cakes to choose from. I ate the freshest cream puffs, delicious scones and tempting caramel tarts. … They were full of reviving qualities and really not a bad price either.
Fossicking
We went out in a convoy with approximately 30 other cars. We were to look for three different types of semi precious stones.. and honestly, I didn’t find anything or understand much.
But it was fun and full of adventure and to do it once, is recommended..
I liked
Looking for colours in the ground, digging, being involved in the moment of digging, the trees, having fun with my family
I didn’t like
The big holes in the ground, the looking for one thing and not being able to see the whole picture (metaphor for life?), the rubbish and disregard for the landscape people display, the dirt, the sense of urgency one gets when digging and looking… it feels like, ahh, but if I just look in this pile of dirt, it will be there… and of course.. its endless (another metaphor for life?)
The Emmaville Country Music Festival
This was such an experience. None of us are country fans, and someone said it was painful at times to listen to some of the vocals.. but honestly, Albert and I had a really nice time.
There were large fires, the skies were clearing, the music was played by friends and sung karaoke style. It was informal and fun and helped along by a few beers.
We bought home a pile of rocks. I’m not sure what we’re suppose to do with them now, but now I know a little about fossicking.
