A reader’s christmas tale

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Filed under: Other Posts, General — Norfolk Wolf

I thought this deserved to go on the Blog rather than in the comment section. (I couldn’t get it to fit in there anyway!)

Hi John, just a quick note to say thanks for all the advice and info gleaned off here, the book, the DVD and the training day (Petersfield)
I have spent this Christmas on leave from the Navy at my mums in Slough and took my detectors with me - just in case! Driving through the outlying areas I saw field upon field of freshly ploughed glory, I spent 3 days tracking down the owner - only to find it was a big “Corporate monster” only getting to speak to a plummy secretary - whose voice on the phone gave away the fact that she was sneering down the phone at me! Driving home I spotted a small sign with a picture of a cow on it. Hmmm I thought surely if they have a cow they have a field! I drove up the track and saw a small cattle farm / dairy. I knocked on the farmhouse door and was soon greeted by a woman who looked extremely busy but was polite and friendly. I put on my best begging face and asked if I could have a go on her land - she directed me down to the milking parlor where I soon found Freddy the farmer - a stereotypical ruddy cheeked cheerful man. I asked if he had a small out of the way plot that I could have a swing on. His reply amazed me - ” go anywhere you like son - its a bit muddy though, ave ya got wellies? ” seconds later, wellied up I was walking through my first field of cows…. hang on where are their udders…. whys that really big one running at me. Freddy had mentioned that he had a couple of bulls but assured me they were placid and friendly - so whose was this great snorting beast? It got to about 5 feet - stopped dead, let out a great big pat and walked away! Back to detecting. The fields were flat pasture, quite featureless and huge, I had lived here 30yrs and didn’t know it existed - and I was a nosey kid always looking for fresh scrumping orchards! I decided to have a look round before starting - and was glad I did, as I got to what I thought was the extent of the farm I realized that I was on top of a hill and as I approached the fence saw another field, sloping down, full of ancient features, lumps and bumps and to top it all, at the bottom of the hill - the biggest Manor House (stately home sized) that I had ever seen! JACKPOT good old Freddy I thought. From my initial view of the flat pastures I had only got my Gmaxx Power and 11″ coil - 3 Hours later, 15 Georgian coppers, 10 Viccy pennies, a lizzy sixpence and a Charles III shilling later I thought - this has a bit of potential!
My next trip is planned with my little elliptical to deal with all the ferrous near to the manor house. On the way to my car I touched base with Freddy the farmer, showed him my finds and offered him to take half. All he was interested in was an old button with a cockerel on which looked much like his prized Cockerel. I explained the possible value of the Lizzy Sixpence and the shilling - but he said “you dug em, you keep em - you’ll have to come back and see if you can find any more!”
Why did I feel it necessary to recount this tale? Johns blog mentioned the impending days when farmers will only open their gates for money - its good to find such a nice farmer whose more interested with an old button than silver coins - trusting, and willing to give a stranger a free day out - unrestricted on his land. PS apparently the bull only wanted to say hello. Regards Lea Smeeton.