Awful Bush setting. A few snakes and Spiders and the heat. It was HOT!
Sapphires in Sapphire, QLD
My Baby (my Pajero), and I, went on a trip to Sapphire, QLD, for Gemfest.
Along with me was my best mate of twenty years, Simon. He drove his Landy up with all the bells and whistles, and being a diesel at the peak time of fuel prices ended up paying twice as much as I did. Ha!
We have been fossicking and prospecting for many years and it is my one true passion.
The trip up from Sydney is a long one. Over 1500 kms. But I love driving. And so does my baby (my '93 Pajero). I built my bed which spreads the entire length and back of my car, because I am sick of setting up my tent, and usually its late when I arrive to set up somewhere. I travel alot.
Under my bed are my picks and shovels and other gear like sieves and pans, water and cooking stuff. Above is my pack, DVD player, Metal Detector and a whole lot of goodies to enhance my trip. I have luxury in the back of my car. In fact, my bed is far more comfortable than my bed at home.
After arriving in Sapphire, we found a place to start digging. Glenalva. Just out of Sapphire. It's hard work and with the excessive beer consumption it gets harder.
After a few days of finding "bombs" ( big useless Sapphires), I saw a yellow glint on the top of the sieve pile. Excited, I pick out the bean shaped thing and held it to the light. Wow, absolutely flawless. Seven and a half carats of the best quality yellow sapphire you can get ( I am a gemologist too. It made my day.
After three weeks and a small jam jar full of blues, greens and yellow sapphire, it was time for Gem Fest. What a great event. In the middle of Queensland, so many people from all over Australia, some who have been on the road for over three years, all with the same passion as I have.
Seeing all the beautiful gems and amazing rocks was heaven. I even spent my remaining money on mineral specimens for my ever growing collection. It's overtaken my house.
But I do this all the time. I love to get out and search for buried treasure. Who knows, maybe I'll find that one lotto-esq winner.
But I couldn't do it without my baby, My Pajero.
