A funny thing happened on the way to the forum

[I-Rutus]

It had been nearly four months since the last time I swung a coil, so as you can imagine I was ready to get out. I had not been in lockdown though, as I am classed as a key worker, this in a way is worse, as I am sent into all kinds of germ infested buildings, where social distancing can be a foreign language.
It is funny how people can stand patiently in a queue outside of Tesco, but will push you out of the way once inside.

But I digress, so Sunday saw me out in the field for the first time since March, and I had to really think to be able to use my Nox, I could not remember even the basics of what button did what, which is funny, as I could remember how to connect the headphones for a new user on the same dig. But once you walk out onto the field the same old instincts start kicking in, and you chuckle to yourself at how you can mess up even the basics. And then you dig a decent signal, and you smile, you are back.

[Easylife]

But once you walk out onto the field the same old instincts start kicking in.

Yes, I hadn't used my Nox for 5 months but it soon all came back once on the field.

[Bors]

It had been nearly four months since the last time I swung a coil, so as you can imagine I was ready to get out. I had not been in lockdown though, as I am classed as a key worker, this in a way is worse, as I am sent into all kinds of germ infested buildings, where social distancing can be a foreign language.
It is funny how people can stand patiently in a queue outside of Tesco, but will push you out of the way once inside.

But I digress, so Sunday saw me out in the field for the first time since March, and I had to really think to be able to use my Nox, I could not remember even the basics of what button did what, which is funny, as I could remember how to connect the headphones for a new user on the same dig. But once you walk out onto the field the same old instincts start kicking in, and you chuckle to yourself at how you can mess up even the basics. And then you dig a decent signal, and you smile, you are back.

I can relate to that .I have tended for one reason or another to have had large lay offs with detecting over the last 18 mths, and you do get "rusty" there`s no doubt.

[Blackadder43]

I havent been out since before xmas....
About 2 months ago i thought i would charge my machine and headphones up

Ooooh says my wife, is that for tamping down the garden once we dig it over?

I did switch the machine on in the garden and ran through the menues to refresh myself with how it works
Luckily my brain stores this sort of stuff in its own area, so i was amazed at how quickly i went from
"How does this work again"
To
"Ohhh yess, thats it"

Now i need to change my sleeping habits from going to bed at Dawn and getting up at noon, and get myself walking to my new permission and see whats under the ground...

[Steve_JT]

Same for me on Sunday, not been out since Feb, it’s surprising how quick Instinct and how to do it comes back.....after a few steps....
Once you go back for your gloves, then go back and lock the car, go back and pick up the glove you dropped, then OCD sets in



Regards Steve

[Bors]

As I mentioned the other day. I was that excited to get out last Sunday for an Hour or so, I had forgotten to make sure my Headphones were fully charged up and within a very short time of not long getting on the field,they died on me. I must have detected for a good length of time before I realised I had no sound coming through .Gutted was an understatement ! but ,I wasn`t going to be beat,so I just carried on having to rely on the detector speaker which was NOT the best to have to resort to, but better than going home.

[Littleboot]

I've done the headphone thing too. I have a group of very quiet fields which I call The Spade Touchers....because every so often I waft the coil over my spade just to check a signal is getting through.

I was lucky during lockdown as I could still detect within the rules. as long as I kept it to within a short distance of my house...which is smack in the middle of my permissions so that was OK. Not to say there wasn't some element of frustration at being denied the prospect of pastures new.....but I was at least able to get out for short amounts of time. I very rarely see anybody from the beginning of a detecting session to the point I get back in through the door. So social distancing was always observed.....and frankly you don't get much more socially distanced than our gaff anyway.

I recently fired up the GMP for old times sake after more than a year...and was stunned to find I had forgotten the rules! I spent ages twiddling things and then put it back in the shed and got out the Nox.

[Susie F]

Thanks folks! So reassuring to know that it's not just me forgetting what does what