Aussie Gold Hunters.

Outback Opal Hunters.

Gold Divers.

If my tv could create a “Wrapped” of my most watched tv shows in the same way Spotify does for music, these would probably be my top 3 viewed programs of 2024.

Treasure hunting has been hovering around the front of my mind all year. Conversely I’ve done little treasure hunting myself. Ever. Other than some foraging maybe. And a plump and juicy blackberry picked by your own hand is a truly precious thing.

By the end of the year though we’d started collecting sea glass for an art project that Mrs J has in mind. Almost immediately I could see why the prospectors in any of the programs mentioned above so often become obsessed with the hunt. The long hours, the never wanting to stop and the giddy excitement at the tiniest of finds became very clear.

Our oldest son was given a metal detector for Christmas and so we took it to Broughty Ferry beach for a test run and a chance to find some treasure that wasn’t made of glass. And as you can see below, we found some lovely sea glass but no metal, other than an old bullet casing (which we didn’t find using the detector….)

I had a walking day booked in during the holiday, a welcome break as Mrs J and Mini J both had flu over Christmas. The treasure bug had clearly taken hold as a decision was made quickly that whatever I did, it would include a beach. I headed to Auchmithie with the aim of walking to Arbroath while looking for caves and treasure.

I parked up in Arbroath and had organised a taxi to get me to Auchmithie.

The beach below me set off my treasure senses so I headed down the cliff road. I found mill stones and old boats.

And sea glass!

After heading back to the main path I started following the cliff top path which was clear and offered lovely sea views into the grey skies. Castlesea Bay came into view, one of the gorgeous bays I would see today. The map said caves were to be found at both sides so I headed down the steep grassy nose you can see near the top right of the photo.

Turning left, first the stone beach was explored as I walked along. The stones were beautiful and varied in colour. The cave at this side was wide and deep with what looked like sandstone walls.

After a while I headed along to the other side of the bay to the other marked cave. A little harder to get to due to the wet, slimy rocks, it had a lovely triangular entrance way. This was a lovely cave and went into the rock a good 20 metres and had a sandy floor inside.

As I came out I saw a seal. (The dark dot on the right of the picture.)

I took a look inside Gaylet Pot, which was impossible to reach from above.

I reached Carlingheugh Bay and two more caves were marked on the map. I was disappointed at first that in the bay previously (which I couldn’t get down to due to the cliffs) had been marked what it called a forbidden cave. But it turned out that the two caves on the north of this bay pushed deep into the cliff for about 80-100m and actually came out the other side.

A second cave about 50m east of the first cave did the same thing but was less impressive than the first cave here.

I found a friend at one point.

And then an arch.

I was too high after this to see any caves but the stone structures were really impressive.

The walk started with some bad news, just after exploring the first bay, leaving Auchmithie. My thinking quickly turned from the first treasures I found, to how I deal with that news. It made me think about how fortunate I am and at the turn of a year it’s good to reflect on the victories and failures of the year before.

The walk ended with bad news too. Two phone calls that changed the nature of the day. From adventure to a period of contemplation.

And what about 2025? I don’t want to set resolutions. Just the direction of travel. This is my general direction.

I’m not always good as seeing how lucky I am. And that notion of appreciation is one I’m going to explore more in 2025.

I’m also going to say less and do more. I’ve always been a do-er but sometimes I speak or talk more than I should. Let’s change that and see what happens.

And I’m going to search for more treasure. Whether it’s glass, gold, family or my inner consciousness, the year 2025 will be spent pursuing all that glitters.

I hope your 2025 is as equally golden.