Post by cronicbadger on May 18, 2018 18:40:36 GMT 10
I was in the former gold mining town of Uralla, near Armidale NSW, on family business last weekend and so (as one does) popped down to the Rocky River fossicking area one early morning to have a bit of a dig for an hour or so.
I arrived, had a recce about the watercourse and scrub at the camping area then put my gumboots on, got my equipment and headed off to my favourite spot up in the gullies.
When I'd finished I returned to my car, removed my gumboots and began putting on my shoes.
My ankle felt a bit irritated so I thought I might have played host to one of the local tiger leeches (half right!). On closer examination I discovered two neat little punctures spaced about 8mm, accompanied by slight reddish bruising. It looked similar to the holes made when you go for a blood test and the nurse needs several attempts with the needle because she doesn't like the way you're looking at her.
Two. Needle-stick. Injuries. On. My. Ankle.
*OH CRAP!*
So I fumbled on a compression bandage and got myself a trip to the local hospital where I then spent several days under observation and donating blood every few hours for tests. Fortunately it was a dry strike, not envenomed. I was told it was most likely a warning tap from a sleepy tiger snake as I was wandering in the rocks and scrub along the river bank in my shoes. I'd got complacent as it was cold and I didn't think there'd still be a risk of serpentine shenanigans. Complacent - but lucky.
I've yet to pan the dirt I brought back with me (couldn't leave THAT behind!) but I did find some interesting stones, including an odd black columnar crystal - maybe a type of black tourmaline - I dunno. I'll post some photos of my finds soon.
I arrived, had a recce about the watercourse and scrub at the camping area then put my gumboots on, got my equipment and headed off to my favourite spot up in the gullies.
When I'd finished I returned to my car, removed my gumboots and began putting on my shoes.
My ankle felt a bit irritated so I thought I might have played host to one of the local tiger leeches (half right!). On closer examination I discovered two neat little punctures spaced about 8mm, accompanied by slight reddish bruising. It looked similar to the holes made when you go for a blood test and the nurse needs several attempts with the needle because she doesn't like the way you're looking at her.
Two. Needle-stick. Injuries. On. My. Ankle.
*OH CRAP!*
So I fumbled on a compression bandage and got myself a trip to the local hospital where I then spent several days under observation and donating blood every few hours for tests. Fortunately it was a dry strike, not envenomed. I was told it was most likely a warning tap from a sleepy tiger snake as I was wandering in the rocks and scrub along the river bank in my shoes. I'd got complacent as it was cold and I didn't think there'd still be a risk of serpentine shenanigans. Complacent - but lucky.
I've yet to pan the dirt I brought back with me (couldn't leave THAT behind!) but I did find some interesting stones, including an odd black columnar crystal - maybe a type of black tourmaline - I dunno. I'll post some photos of my finds soon.
