Max Anderson is an ex-Sunday Times travel editor who packed it all in to travel to Australia and live there with his Australian girlfriend. Whilst there, he fondly recalls a childhood hobby of digging holes and decides to go to the outback of Western Australia, to a tiny ex-gold rush ghost town, to look for gold and make his fortune. Or enough money/gold to produce a ring for his girlfriend.
Why am I telling you about this book?
Is it all about bushcraft? Well, no - not really. Although there are some interesting and informative stories and historical tales, he lives in a tent near the town's only pub.
Does he make his fortune? Erm...don't know - haven't quite finished the book yet. But it isn't looking good at the moment...
However, what it is, is a humourous look at one man, ill-prepared for bush living, but giving it a go because it is his dream. He lives outdoors and loves it - well, most of it. He treks into the desert looking for gold with only a pick, shovel and pan (an ongoing thread as everyone he meets asks him 'Have you got a detector?').
He's often isolated; sometimes in danger; sometimes ill. And he overcomes, using his initiative to get himself out of the metaphorical holes he has dug for himself.
There's also his love/hate relationship with is dog, who was named by a three-year-old and is the subject of much mirth and pi**-taking by everyone else.
I have to admit, I did geology at school and loved it. Unfortunately, I never turned it into a career but still maintained an interest and always dreamed about prospecting for gold and minerals in isolated places, living in the bush somewhere, and combining two of my deepest interests.
This is a great book for people interested in outback living, Australian history, and the follies of looking for gold. It's sometimes laugh-out loud funny, often thoughtful, and always entertaining. I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone and I haven't even finished it yet.
Happy reading.
Why am I telling you about this book?
Is it all about bushcraft? Well, no - not really. Although there are some interesting and informative stories and historical tales, he lives in a tent near the town's only pub.
Does he make his fortune? Erm...don't know - haven't quite finished the book yet. But it isn't looking good at the moment...
However, what it is, is a humourous look at one man, ill-prepared for bush living, but giving it a go because it is his dream. He lives outdoors and loves it - well, most of it. He treks into the desert looking for gold with only a pick, shovel and pan (an ongoing thread as everyone he meets asks him 'Have you got a detector?').
He's often isolated; sometimes in danger; sometimes ill. And he overcomes, using his initiative to get himself out of the metaphorical holes he has dug for himself.
There's also his love/hate relationship with is dog, who was named by a three-year-old and is the subject of much mirth and pi**-taking by everyone else.
I have to admit, I did geology at school and loved it. Unfortunately, I never turned it into a career but still maintained an interest and always dreamed about prospecting for gold and minerals in isolated places, living in the bush somewhere, and combining two of my deepest interests.
This is a great book for people interested in outback living, Australian history, and the follies of looking for gold. It's sometimes laugh-out loud funny, often thoughtful, and always entertaining. I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone and I haven't even finished it yet.
Happy reading.
