On Sunday I went mudlarking by the Thames in London – oh happy me!
It was a glorious sunny day spent with 30 other lovely larkers – I can highly recommend it.
See more photos and a link to Thames Explorer Walks on my Beach Clean Art blog – here.
This is what I managed to collect and bring home on the train in a full backpack that weighed 16lbs.
What is it about beach-combing – I am supremely happy and relaxed whilst collecting, and the next best bit is washing and arranging all the pieces. I’d happily spend all day arranging, sorting and rearranging all these little artefacts all connected to human activity over hundreds of years.
Ravelry
Wild Daffodil 
What a haul! I like the arrangement you have created.
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Wow. What a collection. So rich and full of history. I love the beauty of everyday objects.
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Me too Sarah, the connection with humans over hundreds of years, each piece a mystery, each piece a story.
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That is such a wonderful display, Sandra – what larks indeed!
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Thank you Cathy. Simple pleasures!
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We have not been to Yerranderie, our digging is in the goldfields of Victoria around Bendigo and Ballarat
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An area I have not been to – so much of the world to explore!
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Great collection Sandra. I can’t see the gold Roman coins , did you hide them? We used to dig in old mine pits on the goldfields for C19th bottles.
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The Archaeologist said she had been gathering bits from the Thames for 2 years and had only two small pieces of Roman pottery to show for it. You have to get a permit to dig. Thinking of old mine pits – have you ever been to Yerranderie in the Blue Mountains near Sydney? http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/yerranderie-private-town
I was there in 1994 on a day tour, and fell in love with it. The guy who was running it then was from UK (Devon) and when he saw my delight in the artefacts piled in one of the houses he invited me to stay there and sort and record and help him set up a museum – one of my ‘if only’ moments – how I would have loved to do that!!!! But I had 3 children I had to get back to in Blighty …….. hey ho!
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I can only imagine the excitement as you found more and more treasure! Let’s add that to our list of things to do together…beachcombing!
Oh, and what an extraordinary display you’ve created there Sandra.
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Yes! Yes! Yes! There must be some interesting finds on your beaches too Melissa. Beach-combing is definitely on the list! ❤
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😀
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I had no idea this was allowed. What happens when you find gold coins. Sandra? Hello Sandra!
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If you find anything of value you are supposed to take it to … hmmm …. I’ve forgotten! Ha! Could it be the British Museum? Anyway you are supposed to take it somewhere. If the occasion arises I will find out.
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So the very heavy back pack wasn’t full of gold? That’s a shame,next time
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Sadly no, the weight was mainly made up of rusty chunks of iron (plus my overnight stuff). If I find gold, I’ll be sure to let you know! If you ever fancy a couple of hours mudlarking by the Thames I’d be happy to join you, you might have better luck. 😉
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He-he! Thanks to BBC’s Antiques Roadshow extras, I know what mudlarking is, and am so glad you had a day with like-minded souls. Well done you!
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Ah! you are an Antiques Roadshow fan – fascinating isn’t it. It was a great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon.
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That’s a lot of weight to carry! You’ve got some fab treasures though. 😊
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I’ll know next time to take a bag with wheels! I’m thrilled with what I found. xx
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Sounds like a wonderful day was had by all and you got some treasures too!
Can’t wait to see how you use them Daffy :-)_
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Thank you for your encouragement Eddie – I’m itching to play the day away – drat those pesky household chores!!!
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I know, they do get in the way! 🙂
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😉
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❤❤
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This is so cool! I’ve never heard the term mudlarking before but I know about beach combing and I can’t resist sea glass. You found such interesting things, and so many of them!
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Thank you Kerry. I’m going to have to be more selective next time I go – and take a bag with wheels! I was amazed how much there was to pick up. Some of the glass was quite modern and without the frosty look of sea-glass but I still couldn’t resist it.
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Blimey, that’s a lot of rubbish/treasure – are those clay pipes minus the bowls? Sounds like a fun day out with like-minded people.
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Yes, they are bits of clay pipes – there are millions of them. It was such a fun day out and as you say, with like-minded people. There was a family with three children, the Mum makes jewellery and one of the boys (about 11) was collecting medieval pottery – he found quite a bit and was thrilled!
PS. did you get the pattern by email?
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Yes, thank you – it seems my emails may be going into your spam folder as I’ve replied several times:)
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o crikey! Thank you – I’ll have a look – don’t you just hate it when that happens!!
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16lbs! Wow! Well done – a great collection beautifully arranged 🙂
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Thank you! That great big chunky bit of rusty metal weighed 4lbs, but I couldn’t resist it.
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I am forever picking up objects like that and have them strewn about my studio 😉
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Me too!!! Well all over my house actually! 😉 😉
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