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A quick apology to those whose photo's I have used in these pages and can't remember whose is whose -
When I was sorting out pics downloaded on the
computer I took them out of their files ('course I'll remember whose is whose...). Most of the ones on these
web pages are mine and Steve's and the ones I am not sure are Martin Stolworthy's or Ron Linfields.
I finally got round to taking some mineral photographs via a microscope this winter. Think I'll stick to birds
unless someone has a spare Leica (latest model please) they don't want.
It really is a nitpicking business and when I look at sites like Mineral Paradise (Richard Bell) I have
to take my hat off to you lads. I finally cracked when local Robbie Selley said the heat from my lamp could
cause distortion - so I am saving up for some cool lights as well.
Robbie came out with us in March when our lads
from
Norfolk came down for mineral collecting. He walked onto one site, picked up an anatase specimen - you could see
the anatases with your eye and gave it to Bob Snowball. I didn't find a thing. I would like to thank Robbie for taking us to some new sites that week.
The best collecting site this year for me was Hingston Down Quarry. The jeanbandyites turned up in the spring. Helping others I didn't
worry about collecting much myself till the May week when I noticed the matrix was fast disappearing. Panic - I did find some though - not bad - different from the first find in the 1980's
(Chris Jewson got the very first for Britain) these are more glass like and usually solid. September brought the climax with langite and associated sulphates and carbonates - some look
like they contain zinc so there could be rosasite and aurichalcite present. The langites are stunning.
I should also mention the 'Shell' collectors who come and stay with us. John Fisher brought Derek Howlett,
David Hutchinson and Simon Taylor down in March to look for shells.
These are no ordinary beachcombers - they are finding new species for Cornwall, recording and reporting them
to Cornwall's records department. It is all very exciting but I must admit not really my scene.
Shells aren't very lively - apart from the odd bivalve that squirts water at you. Though one can eat some of them!
I know minerals don't move either but to find them is a real physical effort which I like.
Finally there are our stalwart band of walkers whose prime job is to keep Steve fit as he is their leader.
These are the ones who spot the Basking Shark off the coast for us. You might be interested to know
that there was one seen off St. Loy Cove, West Penwith in December.
Steve says that is reputed to be the warmest place in Cornwall - perhaps that is why.
Finally just to say from myself and Steve 'Wishing you all what you would wish for yourselves in 2008'.
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