I guess I committed a breach of etiquette in not introducing myself prior to asking for a partner to go metal detecting with (kind of like skipping to the double-dog dare). Carol was nice in reminding me to do so, and thanks to Jeff and Ed for their nice messages. FWIW, I'm a retired cop-cum-writer for a law enforcement publication. My neighbors think I'm nuts over this metal detecting stuff; my wife is sure of it. Dean