GeologyRocks

Hello and welcome to GR

Hi, and welcome to GR.

I got my first 'pretty stone' when I was posted to 10 Ord Supp Bn (shows how long ago it was!) in Devizes.  I can tell you now you will get a lot of interest in the mineral side (when I got to Herford - 4 Div Sigs - the QM gave me a bookcase to keep my specimens in) from the CO down, but you won't get practical help, because, as you must know already, you are the regimental odd-ball!!!!!   Geology?  Wassat then? I got the nick-name of Sgt Rocky.  Fine within Hammersmith Bks where I was known, but outsiders thought I was some boxing champ.  Dangerous.

By the time I left the Army ('84) I  knew vitually no geology, because I was so interested in minerals.  I knew certain minerals came from hydrothermal veins, but I really didn't know what one of those actually was.

In civvie street I joined the Bath Mineral & Lapidary Society (now defunct) and the Bath Geological Society, but their lectures were over my head until I did some formal geology courses.

Now I teach it (to anyone who will listen!). I sell it. I collect it.  I lead field trips. I help out on field trips ....and generally have a good time.

I don't know of any geology clubs in Germany.  Certainly down in Bavaria and into Austria they learn geology at school and are very aware of their environment.

I'm sure you have cottoned on to Luneburgh Hiede and Rhinsalen area (Fally etc) is all ancient sea bed from the Zechstien Sea - hence the salt over in Poland and Cheshire the other way. 

If you have any geology questions don't hesitate to ask - do it on a PM if you feel it might be too basic.  I know Gus will help where possible.  He was a miner and then he taught it.  He might still teach it. I'm not sure.  

We shall look forwards to hearing from you on here.  

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

I didn't emphasis enough - the QM GAVE - yes GAVE me a glass fronted bookcase for my specimens!!!!!!

Thats a rare occurance. 

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

 I still don't believe you lol!

Glad to hear its not just me been seen as an odball, i was on a tab over the Bielefeld ridge and as we got to the top my colleagues were asking why on earth did i add to my weight by constantly picking up rocks?

As you can imagine my answer baffled them and they simply replied "oh right"

I am determined to keep my studies going and am still looking for a local organisation to join, although i am joining the OUGS (Open University Geological Society) as they have an EU chapter which does field trips in the area. 

Thanks for the offer for help, at the moment i am burying my head in the suggested knowledge for S276 as this is my forst foray into science since school, and even then i didnt pay much attention

James 

 As I said, I really didn't begin to 'understand' geology until I left, so Bielefeld Ridge (which I knew well - crash out site up there....do you still have crash outs?) was not geologically explored by me.

When attached to 65 CSS RE in Hameln they were doing a lot of PR work up in the Hartz Mountains - leveling an area for a football pitch just outside St Andreas, building sports centres etc.  So there was some earthworking and I got a good few minerals in the area.

I did have the heaviest box in the squadron when we left Cyprus (Force Reserve, UN with the 15/19 H in '77). I had to tip it end over end to the stores! What a lot of rubbish I had collected.

 I believe I may have a picture of 'The Cabinet' I got at 4 Div, somewhere  - just to prove a point!

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

Crashouts are no longer something we do, although there are SNCO's who do tell us we have it lucky nowadays

I am looking forward to spending a few days in the Hartz as thats really not far from here, i am just building up a bit of knowledge before i venture out into the wilderness!

How large is your current collection then? 

Well, I suppose there is no longer the threat of the Eastern Bloc invading.  We used to spend about 6 months of the year in the ulloo training to keep back the Russian hoards for 4 days while Britain prepared to repel the invasion!  What a joke.  Perhaps its more sensible these days rather than 'lucky'....but remember that SNCO was just a young lad back then, and probably hadn't even joined up by the time I came out.  (23834011)

 Still I did enjoy my 15 (16) years in Germany.

 What are you in? 

Current collection of about 9,000 specimens - including those lumps I dragged back from field trips and were so large they reside on the driveway - Borrowdale volcanic tuft, Ordovician Welsh slate, and I can't resist the swirls and colours of a good metamorphic.

Don't tell Gus, but I've got half of Cornwall here! 

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

and I've got the other half of Cornwall which means that it doesn't exist anymore.

Yeah, but you've got it still in Cornwall, so thats OK.  Just don't move!!!

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant