Dig Diary - Day Five

 

It's day 5 of the dig and I am back. Today I promised my little boy Jacob who is 4 that he could come to the hall with me today to do some 'digging'.  Mistake number one. As we stepped out the front door into a puddle about 2 inch deep it became apparent that we wouldn't be doing much digging.  'We might stop inside cleaning things today sweetheart because we can't dig outside because it will be really really muddy'

 'That’s ok mummy, I like digging in lots of mud.' - Yes, that's what I was afraid of!

As I put Jacob into the car, I had to frown at my own stupidity, small child, wet day lots of mud, white trainers. Hmmmm  A quick detour and some Bob the Builder wellies we had a happy little boy and a happy little mummy.

As we got to Staveley Hall I wondered which other die hard enthusiasts would turn up, of course Linda and Natasha had been there since 8.45am again!!!!!!!  They were along with Dominic, Mick Cherry and Alan Perry cleaning finds.  We abandoned our bags and after everyone had taken the mick out of my very pink very spotty wellies (jealous) we picked our toothbrushes (Jake's blue, mine pink) and started scrubbing (the finds not our teeth).

 Now I actually really enjoyed find cleaning, I didn't do a lot last year, partly because Cynthia was so good at it and partly because I was so engrossed in the trenches, but I got stuck in and loved it! I didn't realise that you missed so much with your head buried in the mud, this way cleaning the san I saw everything that was found, and some of the pottery- and indeed some of the slag is so beautiful when it's scrubbed up nice.  Jacob made himself busy cleaning some very large very scary 'dinosaur bones’!

Cleaning the finds took us right up to dinner, Linda, Natasha, myself and Jacob went 'moonlighting' on the spoil heaps pulling out bits and pieces for Joel’s collection, Linda found a clay marble in the spoil.

After a annoyingly soggy cheese sandwich eaten whilst Dominic, Katherine and Duncan all tucked into the most gorgeous smelling chips (Note for diary- Friday -chippy) we decided to do some digging. The rain had stopped and the sun was surprisingly hot. Jacob was so enthusiastic he happily filled his bucket right to the top - from the spoil heap. After I finally managed to convince him to dig in the right place he was more interested in the worms than the archaeology.  Linda, Natasha and Joel and his mum were making up for lost time and soon filling find trays, so I sat back and 'supervised' my son, whilst pretending to be a proper archaeologist. You see the thing I have noticed about archaeologist's is that they speak lingo. Luckily I and my cunning brain have managed to decipher some for you:

 

What they say	What they mean
Is Cynthia in today?	Has she baked buns/cakes/biscuits?
Hmmm interesting	I haven't got a clue
You might find it easier if..	You are doing it all wrong!
I think it might be break time.	Put the kettle on I'm parched!
It does look like it could be something doesn't it?	It's another rock!
I didn't have time to pack sandwiches today	I'm off to the chippy
I'm popping to the office.	Im having a rest.
It's a shame we don't dig Sundays....	Thank goodness a lie in!
Would you like to try doing...	No-one else will do it.

 

               

At 3.00 I and my little 'un slacked off early to get ready for our holiday tomorrow (Stratford upon Avon), we said our goodbyes and departed.   I always miss the good stuff because Alan Perry later told me that just after I left Dominic found a piece of pottery that got everyone quite excited, and allegedly dated somewhere between the 10th and 12th Century - So watch this space!!!!

There was some good news for Paul as well; Derbyshire times want to photograph him on Tuesday with his Frecheville glass seal he found Thursday. I wonder if he will wear his boiler suite or his special label.  We made HON labels for everyone so we know they have signed in, HON meaning Hall or Nothing...I made one for Paul that said 'somet or nowt'  and for anyone who knows Paul, they will understand the joke.  It's a good job he has a good sense of humour. He will get me back I’m sure......

Also because I am not here I would like to wish Dominic a Happy 21st Birthday (I’m pretty sure it's the 27th), I know he's muttering under his breath but I couldn't let it go un-noticed  :0)

I am going to have some explaining to do when I get back off holiday, well at least I have 9 days to think about worming my way out of it!!

Hope the dig goes well and you all enjoy it!!!

Be good and work hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  tee hee

Rachael xxx

 

To finish off today's diary we have some poetry from Joel. Well done Joel this a great poem!

Digging in the Mud

 

My friend Linda helped me with it all,

Digging away at Staveley Hall.

We went down to the office and sat on the wall

To wait for the diggers, the short and the tall.

We dug in the mud as hard was we could

And found some treasure which brings us pleasure.

We found a big bone, Duncan and I,

We tried to discover its age, we did try!

I brushed it up as well as I could

To see what it woud look like out of the mud.

Archaeology’s exciting, not many people know

And I was very grateful that I could have a go.

 

Joel, Aged 9