TRAVEL TALES
Panning For Flakes of Gold Between the Deep Purple of Wild Thyme Fields
Learning more about the gold mining history and how this herb traveled across the world
Pouring water into my pan and swinging the rocks and gravel inside over and over in circles I can’t find enough patience until the flakes of gold finally appear at the bottom of the pan. I’d much rather stare all day long at these purple fields of wild thyme.
We had to be up and running early to be ready and leave for work when the weather call at 7 am would be positive just that it wasn’t. We kind of knew we wouldn’t skydive in this weather. Today or the next few days. A strong northwesterly weather pattern is bringing not only gale-force winds but heavy rain clouds along as well.
Anyway, since I was up and had breakfast already, I decided to make the best of the day and head out exploring. David wasn’t interested which is understandable in these wind conditions.
I just waited for the rain to pass but the next shower came down onto the windscreen as I was driving toward Kawarau Gorge. I had seen the sign for the Goldfields Mining Center already a few times on our drives to and from Queenstown but didn’t actually think it was something I’d be interested in…
