To ask if you're a metal detector(ist)? If you are, what have you found?

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

YES it's not an AIBU, but you try posting in the graveyard that is Chat these days. Everyone's spoiling for a fight, so why not argue about metal detecting to take our minds off things.

My plan is - if everything's still shite when the weather starts getting better, I'm going to buy a detector and take DS out hunting for ring pulls gold. I see detectorists bimbling around occasionally, but I'm never brave enough to ask them what they've found because I know they must get it a lot.

Is it fun? Do you know anyone who's found anything good?

YABU OP. If this is all you've got to worry about I wish I had your life.

Get a grip.

You sound lovely.

I would love to give it a go, was very keen on archeology as a youngster and forever interested in finding things when walking. Like looking at the things that some detectorists sell on eBay too- crotal bells and odd bits of metal besides the lovely broach bits! You have inspired me to involve my dd

Don't be so grabby.

I’m planning on getting one soon but I’m not having much luck finding permission so I’m going to wait until the clubs reopen and go to my local one :)

Are you quite alright there, Jesus?

Sorry, not you @Brody77

DH and I have just finished rewatching S1 of Detectorists. I won't spoil it but it's heartbreaking. Also the scenery is so lovely!

@StanfordPines

Are you quite alright there, Jesus?

I'm doing homemade kebabs tonight so thought I might get in the spirit and start a socially distanced fight. With myself.

I know a guy that does metal detecting and I think he finds it relatively hard to find land to detect on. Public land has probably been detected to death

He detects on a few farmer's fields and has permission. To my knowledge he's never found anything worth mentioning

Yes, I suppose we'd have to try a beach (if we're allowed) or alongside the river (public footpath). Actually first step would be the garden, although DH is quite protective of his lawn.

@JesusInTheCabbageVan I have found my people...I come here to escape AWB (another bloody walk) and no is talking about anything other than she who must not be named. I have started so many threads with 3-4 replies, and they have been my finest work (bastards!).

Back to your question...I have never metal detected, but my childhood home was built by the banks of a canal and our garden was full of bits of broken crockery which apparently came from a tearoom which was next to the canal.
My imaginations were full of victorian ladies having tea in what became my garden.

DP was really interested since watching The Dectorists. Main issue was getting permission for land.

Look at the stats for the area you’re in- Norfolk is much much higher than the rest of the county so it’s maybe worth it if you’re in East Anglia.

I know somebody who does it and has found loads of ancient coins, some of them roman.
However he spent thousands on a really good metal detector in order to find them. You need one that will find bronze and silver and metals like that. I’d love to do some metal detecting but I’m not sure I’m willing to pay that much for a decent one!!

What on earth was going on in the first few posts? I'd have thought you had the wrong thread but there are three of them in succession!

The Detectorists is the best show in the world.

A friend of mine does, she lives where the series was filmed. She finds bits and bobs like 18th c buttons quite regularly.

@GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom

What on earth was going on in the first few posts? I'd have thought you had the wrong thread but there are three of them in succession!

AS I SAID ALREADY () was having a kebab tonight so thought I would get in the spirit and start a fight.

At the risk of derailing, it was very nice, though the most middle class kebab ever. Pulled lamb with orange and spices, Crosta and Mollica wraps, raita and red wine vinegar pickled onions.

@jendifer I'm in Cardiff so a bit screwed!

@NoEffingWay I know, for a while I was all good and started chatty threads in Chat, and got tumbleweeds. One I thought was quite good was asking what people were posting on this date last year, back when we were still mostly oblivious. Bastards indeed.

Oh yes - I grew up in the country and used to find no end of willow pattern China and clay pipe fragments in our garden.

Certainly wouldn't be spending £££ on one. Under £100, definitely.

@MeadowViews

The Detectorists is the best show in the world.

I love Detectorists. Finished series 3 last night.

Not with a metal detector but used to piss about on the beach a bit looking for sea glass . Have lots of that - but also found a corded telephone (looked 80s), and a flat metal iron c1900 ish, an ornamental knife with a lovely stained glass handle, and a wee hair slide .

The pottery and glass is fantastic though; like a PP I would find myself rather romanticising it all and imagining it had come off some ship, or an Edwardian lady throwing out her tea sets. Beautiful hand painted shards. Found dozens of pieces from local breweries, a cream jug from a farm 45 miles away, lots and lots of railway stamped plates . A wee china doll's size plate, an egg cup with Japanese characters on it, and my pride and joy - a lovely piece with Peter Rabbit .

Goodness knows how or when it all ended up in the sea - garden is now chock a block with it .

Re Detectorists: never have I experienced such conflicted feelings about McKenzie Crook.

Pro: Sinewy forearms.
Con: Love rat.
Pro: Passionate about history.
Con: Out doing his hobby all the time. Really all the time.
Pro: Those forearms.
Con: That hair.
Pro: Funny.
Con. Poor.

I'm a detectorist after taking it up last year and happy to answer any questions.

So far I have only detected on the farm where I live (I rent a cottage on the farm and have permission from the farmer).

So far, apart from a Victorian stair rod clip and a Victorian coat hook I haven't found anything that hasn't fallen off a horse, a tractor or a plough but it's all treasure to me!

Just remember, all land belongs to someone, even if it's the crown or the council and you will need permission to detect, which can be very difficult to obtain in some areas, You also need to look up the laws around detecting and declaring finds.

To be honest, if you're in it just for the gold, I think you'll be disappointed, but if you love being outdoors, uncovering history and don't mind getting muddy (it's a very muddy hobby!) then you'll get a huge amount of pleasure from it.

Also, do a lot of research before you buy a detector 🙂