Which is better fossicking for sapphires, "7 Oaks" or "Billabong Blue"

[Gemster]

Or some other Traveller    .... Nice haul might have to give 7 Oaks a go I think 


   Gemster....

[Jamo]

I'LL post photos as soon as I get time!!

Gunna catch up on my sleep for now after driving 15 hrs straight, and been up for 10 hrs prior to that!!!

Cheers Ranger Itchy

Sleep well! Look forward to the pics

[Ranger Itchy]

Hi Guys,

Long hours and long drives you get used too when your job classification is Professional Driver, that's what my employer says my job description is anyway as I drive a truck for a living!!

Still need to wash up the crystals and take some photos but haven't had time yet with sleeping and unpacking.

Cheers Ranger Itchy

[MrSydney]

Thanks for the pics!  Nice haul!

[Aussie Sapphire]

Please take care when driving - whether you are a professional driver or just one of us amateurs, fatigue affects all of us.


We have all had an attitude adjustment to drunk driving in past years but tired drivers can be just as dangerous and similarly affect other people on the road.


http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/fatigue/
http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/safe-driving/tips-and-tools/fighting-fatigue


From the second link: 

Research shows that being awake for 17 hours has the same affect on your driving ability as a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of 0.05. Going without sleep for 24 hours has the same affect as a BAC of 0.1, double the legal limit.[/font][/color][/font][/size]

• [/color][/size]Cheers[/color][/size]Leah[/color]

[Ranger Itchy]

Hi Aussie Sapphire,

I am well aware of the affects of fatigue on ones driving ability, with driving trucks for 30 yrs I am used to driving long hours and I understand well my own driving limitations, I don't condone pushing your ability's to the limit, I would just like to stress that I wouldn't recommend it to the average driver who may not understand there own ability's and limits when it comes to driving!!

PS. Dropped in to see you guys when I was in Glen Innes but you where closed.
I also recommended you to the couple that came and saw you and bought a loop and set of pocket scales from you!!

Cheers Ranger Itchy

[Ranger Itchy]

You guys will have to find your own crystals at Tingha Sands, this silly site won't let me post them due to size so I  resize them all, go to post WRONG!!! Won't except JPEG it's just BULLSHIT!!!

I'm fed up with all the dramas just trying to do a simple post with a few photos!!!

Cheers Ranger Itchy

[Aussie Sapphire]

You guys will have to find your own crystals at Tingha Sands, this silly site won't let me post them due to size so I  resize them all, go to post WRONG!!! Won't except JPEG it's just BULLSHIT!!!

I'm fed up with all the dramas just trying to do a simple post with a few photos!!!

Cheers Ranger Itchy

You can post them in the gallery - I have turned off the feature to add them as attachments because it was causing problems in the back end.

Let me know if you need assistance but there should be a fairly reasonable allowance on size for photos posted in the Media Gallery.

More info here:

http://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=4671.0

Message me or reply here if you need further assistance.

cheers
leah

[Aussie Sapphire]

PS. Dropped in to see you guys when I was in Glen Innes but you where closed.
I also recommended you to the couple that came and saw you and bought a loop and set of pocket scales from you!!

Thanks for the recommendation - I remember those people.

We are closed except for visits by appointment - those customers were very lucky to catch us as we were just about to head out the door.  Best to call or email the day before just to make sure.  We are here a lot of the time but we do not have set opening hours (as we are not technically a shop) so by calling ahead, we can make sure we are available.

cheers
leah

[Redzap01]

I purchased a bag of sapphire wash from 7 oaks about 5 years ago, and it sure did produce! Found hundreds of stones and a few dozen cutters! I'd highly recommend them, although don't have any experience with BB. Cheers

[soccermum]

HI Everyone, does anyone know if Billabong Blue has had their lease renewed yet? We are coming up in a few weeks and would love to visit again.

[Gemster]

Hi soccermum, I don't think they have.... There's a dispute over a relocated creek.... What the mines dept told them they could do in the earlier days.... Now, its a no no       Very hard to find anything on Mines website about this.... They don't make this 'classified' info available to us.... 
Bearing in mind that we have had probably 5 or 6 different Mines dept over this time. And bits of paper Do get lost.. so it's a very confusing matter for all... ..
    But they still have wash from other areas on their lease for you.... If you plan to go soon, give them a call first as they close for winter every year...


   Gemster....

[soccermum]

Thanks so much Gemster - I feel for Rhonda and Bill - they are such lovely people and seem to have such trying times. I will give them a call as I just love visiting their property and catching up..sapphires or not. 

[Gemster]

  Yes I do too.... Not fun getting run over by a Government Steamroller.....


   Gemster.....

[Gacel]

Hi all,

I'm a beginner planning to head up to Inverell early next week.

I'd like to spend at a couple of days at 7 Oaks or BB and I was wondering if anyone has been up that way recently, and would like to share your experience (are sites open and running? have been productive?, or anything else).

In addition I might want to try some of the the free sites/creeks around the area. Would you suggest any particular spots at this time of the year?

Also if anyone happens to be in the area it would be great to meet up!

Thank you for your comments!