Kildonan 12 – 18 July

It was so good to see old friends again. I love these gold panning meet ups. The river was very low and it stayed that way for the week despite the rain. Wow but those midgies can sure make your day uncomfortable.

Of course it isn’t all cold rivers and hard work, there were the barbies and the laughs and the team work and the very special friendships, which is really what this thing is all about. The gold is important too though and I estimate around 15 gms of gold came out of that burn during the week.

The Kildonan campsite from the hill leading up river

Jamie sorting out his gold

Shopping in Helmsdale

Leon Kirk getting ready for another shift

Me in my latest drysuit

Some nice gold

Showing off our gold around a barbie is always fun

Windscreen Wipers

The windscreen wipers on my dad’s car were squeaking and scraping something awful so I went to our favourite garage, Station Garage in Golspie (highly recommended by the way) and Roy ordered new Renault wiper blades. The following day they were delivered and fitted. Nice and silent wipers now. Luxury!

When we got home dad was poring over the invoice. Is there something wrong I asked? No, he mused, it’s just that wipers cost more than five times what cars did when I started driving.

I laughed but the look on his face showed me he was being serious. How much did you pay for your first car, I asked? £7 15 shillings he replied. The wiper blades had cost £40.