Hello eh,

[Ookla]

I actually do live in the Great White North, although in the southern part just like most of the others. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, I live in Canada around Toronto, Ontario. 

There is no gold here, glaciers pushed most of the good loose stuff to our southern neighbour (you're welcome America) and ground the rest up into dust. Yes, of course there's gold here, it's just currently tied up in rocks, generally very deep underground. I've been told to wait a few million years... 

Out west (BC) and up north (Yukon) they have better luck as there are still placers to be worked. Ontario, not so much. We're hard rock territory. Not the café. 🙄

A recent job realization has led to some extra time on my hands. Still employed but I can see the end of a career that I love on the horizon...

So this metal detecting itch is definitely going to get scratched. That being said, my experience with metal detecting is zero, I do not own a detector. At least not yet. As I choose my noise box with fancy disc, I'm here to learn from your experience.

[phrunt]

Welcome Ookla, and I must say I envy where you live, my sister moved from Australia to Burns Lake, BC and loved it there, although she's recently back in OZ, Vias's don't last forever but her daughter managed to stay on being born in Canada, and has no intentions of leaving, she's now in a place called Kamloops as Burns Lake was a little too small for a youngin.

While your metal detecting itch may have its annoyances, it's a great hobby, and I'm sure if you go the coin and jewellery detector route you'll find some excellent stuff in your local area.  There are plenty of helpful people here to help you on your way.

[Ookla]

Thank you for the kind welcome, phrunt! 🙂

It's funny, the perspectives and impressions that we have of each other's world. I believe you are currently in New Zealand, correct? If you were to ask Canadians, most would have a very favourable impression of New Zealand. Top 5 dream tourist destinations, and most would want to live there! Wanna trade?!

Are you originally from Australia? What brought you to New Zealand, the prospecting or other? Or were you trying to escape the sun, heat, and bbq koalas? 

Kamloops, yes I've been there. Sort of. Passed through hitch hiking a number of years back. At a newly built Shell fuel station on the outskirts of town, I had the damn best Eggs Benedict I've ever had! Turns out they had brought in a chef from France to hype the place up for a few months. Worth it. Clearly I still talk about those eggs. 

The part of Canada that your niece lives in is beautiful but the winters are difficult. It's good to be Canadian, fewer poisonous things for sure. Australia is a bit funny with their visa rules and citizenship. And their wildlife. 

As for my metal detecting, I will begin with beach and park hunting, however, my eventual goal is to get into prospecting. Funny enough, one of the areas I intend to go is just south of where your niece lives. 

But for now, these are the options I'm looking at: Manticore, White's 24k, Deus 2 and its ecosystem, and just like everyone else, I'm curious about the GM 2000. 

You've clearly the toys and the experience to boot so I'm all ears when you've got something to say. 

[JCR]

Welcome from East Texas.

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard Ookla !