Friday, December 24, 2004
needle in a hay stack
Last Friday morning, on my last wave into the beach, I came off my board and the leash caught on the band of my watch, breaking the band. I lost my watch in the surf. I was underwater, I felt exactly what happened. My heart stopped and I struggled down towards the bottom of the water in a vain grasp at the watch. It was dark, sandy and water moving everywhere. The watch disappeared. I came up for breath, and went down immediately for another search. Nothing. I already knew it was useless, but I kept diving down anyhow, with my board and leash still attached to my ankle. I kept grabbing at sand. There was too much current and I knew I had also moved form the original spot. The water was only chest deep, but too strong. I paddled out of the water and when I got to the beach I cried. This was my only watch, the watch that Cherry gave to me as an engagement gift. It was the perfect watch for me because it kept the two times of Australia and California. Gone!
I went to work feeling gutted. A work several weeks ago there was a guy who came around leaving business cards. His job was doing underwater searches for lost items. When he first came around, I didn’t think much of it, but I went to work and pulled out his business card. I dialed the number and explained the situation. He asked about the tides, and location of where it was, we discussed the surf other factors. His offer was for an hour and a half search with all the gear and metal detector for $70. If he found the watch it would be another $30 finder’s fee. I told him go for it. I had to take a punt. Punt is an Australian term for gamble. I met the guy at the other beach on my lunch break. We both swam out to where I thought was the place. He set up weights and lines to make a grid and went to work. I had to go back to work so I left him. I should mention that the area where I suspected it to be was now in the vicinity of the break zone, due to the higher tide. I got a call at work at 3pm. He didn’t find the watch. He proposed to do another search in a few hours time for no extra charge. I met him there after work at 6. Once again we both swam out to the general area. The water was really swirling around, but much more shallow. He was in a thick wet suit, and I only in a thin rashy. Once again we were looking, around. He had all the gear and I only had my swim goggles, but we went for it. Eventually, I got too cold and went in. I was still feeling devastated by the loss, but resigned to the fact. At home, I was meant to BBQ for Cherry and sister Holly and her two boys. Coming home, they saw my face and knew the out come was negative. So I went to work lighting the fire and cooking. As this was going on Cherry came running outside with the news. The guy had found the watch! I can’t even begin to describe the elation I had, but it was huge. He drove over and dropped it off at our house within 15 minutes, and ended up having dinner with us. The guy is a total character. But totally worth the effort. I am most grateful. His web site is http://www.foundit.com.au So if you ever lose anything in the surf, sea, or land (in Australia) give the guy a ring.
I went to work feeling gutted. A work several weeks ago there was a guy who came around leaving business cards. His job was doing underwater searches for lost items. When he first came around, I didn’t think much of it, but I went to work and pulled out his business card. I dialed the number and explained the situation. He asked about the tides, and location of where it was, we discussed the surf other factors. His offer was for an hour and a half search with all the gear and metal detector for $70. If he found the watch it would be another $30 finder’s fee. I told him go for it. I had to take a punt. Punt is an Australian term for gamble. I met the guy at the other beach on my lunch break. We both swam out to where I thought was the place. He set up weights and lines to make a grid and went to work. I had to go back to work so I left him. I should mention that the area where I suspected it to be was now in the vicinity of the break zone, due to the higher tide. I got a call at work at 3pm. He didn’t find the watch. He proposed to do another search in a few hours time for no extra charge. I met him there after work at 6. Once again we both swam out to the general area. The water was really swirling around, but much more shallow. He was in a thick wet suit, and I only in a thin rashy. Once again we were looking, around. He had all the gear and I only had my swim goggles, but we went for it. Eventually, I got too cold and went in. I was still feeling devastated by the loss, but resigned to the fact. At home, I was meant to BBQ for Cherry and sister Holly and her two boys. Coming home, they saw my face and knew the out come was negative. So I went to work lighting the fire and cooking. As this was going on Cherry came running outside with the news. The guy had found the watch! I can’t even begin to describe the elation I had, but it was huge. He drove over and dropped it off at our house within 15 minutes, and ended up having dinner with us. The guy is a total character. But totally worth the effort. I am most grateful. His web site is http://www.foundit.com.au So if you ever lose anything in the surf, sea, or land (in Australia) give the guy a ring.
