November 2024
Only two fossicks managed for this month in my new series. In Part 1 (October) I only got down to Gemstone Beach twice as well. November is a very busy month down here so I’m really pleased to have at least got out stone collecting twice.
Taunoa Stream Changes
The most noticeable difference between this month and last month were the changes to the Taunoa Stream. For most of the winter the stream hasn’t been easy to cross. Tall gumboots and wet weather leggings have been a necessity in order to keep dry AND it has been quite important to pay attention to the tides. High tide often has the Taunoa deep in most places and running too fast to ford safely.
As the rain begins to ease (I say that with tongue-in-cheek because it has still be raining A-LOT during spring) changes to the Taunoa Stream have become more settled with both November fossicks having quite narrow and shallow crossings which was a rather pleasant surprise to my wet weather leggings!
Fossick #1 – Monday, 4 November
Arrived at the carpark about 6:30pm. Low tide was expected about 8.10pm and as the sun doesn’t start going down until around 9 at this time of the year it is perfect for fossicking during the early evenings. For this fossick I had the company of two lovely guests staying in our BnB who were as excited to be on Gemstone Beach as much as me!
There was only one car in the carpark and that person was fossicking across the Tanoa Stream about ½ way down the beach towards the Waimeamea River. The Tanoa River was extremely easy to ford as it is currently quite shallow in places more so on the outgoing tide. There was no need for wet weather pants tonight!
We fossicked out way down to the Waimeamea River taking our time on the way down to take advantage of the natural light. The hydrogrossulars were a-plenty once more much to the delight of the BnB guests. The Waimeamea River was open and flowing. Although it looked ford-able we did not cross it due to the disappearing light.
We tried using our iPhone light to see if that would pick up any particular stones but it did not. I think you’re supposed to use a UV backlight so I’ve ordered one. It was such a gorgeous evening to be on Gemstone Beach and I’m quite keen to go again at this time. By the time we got back to the Taunoa Stream, it was beyond dusk and still relatively easy to cross even though the tide was on its way in. We got back to the carpark about 9:30pm having spent a lovely three hours on the beach. Of course ours was the only car in the carpark!
Favourite Finds of the Day – Fossick #1
Fossick #2 – Tuesday, 19 November
November 19 was an overcast, warm day (18 degrees) with patches of blue sky but with the threat of rain in the air. When I arrived at the carpark at 11:36am there were already two cars and a campervan parked there. A couple more cars pulled in right after me two. There were quite a few people on the beach in front of the carpark but no one was on the other side of the Taunoa Stream.
Shallow Taunoa Stream
Slight changes in the Taunoa Stream from the earlier November fossick meant that I was able to cross in a very shallow corner hardly wetting the top of my gumboots. Unfortunately I only fossicked part way down the beach before turning back. I was worried that in my haste to get down to the beach I had forgotten to lock my car. That worry got the better of me so after half an hour on the beach I headed back to the car. Turns out I needed have worried, it was locked!
In the space of half an hour another four campervans and four cars had arrived at the carpark. On my way out more cars (2) were pulling into Gemstone Beach. As I had some errands to take care of in Riverton my plan was to do those and do another fossick on the way back. I didn’t have a lot of time as I needed to be somewhere else at 3:20pm as well.
I was able to return to Gemstone Beach on my way back to Tuatapere knowing I could fossick again for another hour or so. There were several people on the beach, including one person fishing. Not as many cars in the carpark as before but still a few! On my return to the carpark at 3pm there were eight cars and one campervan left in the carpark. It was just starting to spit rain too.
Although I didn’t make it down to the Waimeamea River this time I did find a few favourites during the two hours in total spent on Gemstone Beach.
Favourite Finds of the Day – Fossick #2
Stayed tuned for Stones, Waves & Whispers: Part 3 – December’s fossicks (not published yet).
Just stumbled across this post and want to read the series from the beginning? Click here.
Great! Fossick #1 Stone C could be a breccia rather than a porphyry – often hard to tell between the two. Looking at it again, I keep changing my mind! Some nice hydrogrossular garnets.
I thought the same too!! I’ve got a post brewing about it – Breccia or Porphyry Which is Which?
I went with porphyry in the end because I didn’t think the crystals were big enough to be classed as breccia.
And those hydrogrossulars – are they gorgeous? Wait till you see some of December’s ones from Fossick#1!
Fossick #2 Stone G is likely to be all mudstone, with the mineral iron oxide providing the dark red colour. Not all dark red is jasper…. and jasper usually forms in conditions (in holes in volcanic rock) where mudstone doesn’t (on the sea floor). I think.
That makes total sense! Thanks JP – love that I am still learning heaps from you even when we are not fossicking together!