dighalloween

Vince, Jake, Jon, Nick, Tav, and Harley

Time on my hands so, after having a quick look at current progress in digs, headed along to AUD/ToT area to check on the faunal remains. All looked good and the area was dry, probably okay to do some digging (but not today). Bundled up some old plastic bags that were in the area and half-a-bag of sediment that had been clinging to the bags, well, it was in my hands anyway…

Back at the ledge, the team had assembled and were busy sorting themselves out. Jake and Jon went along to dig in CoW, Harley was down in the pot, under the stemples, I was on the ledge, Tav at the entrance (although positioning was fluid), leaving Nick on the surface.

Digging in both locations is not easy – low height; layers of calcites and sediment, partially cemented together, all bags were ‘hard won!’ One of those day’s where there were mutterings and poking about looking around for ‘alternatives’ – a common phenomenon when idle hands have too much time! There was, according to some, confusion as to which day it was and this associated with a slower communication as to when there was spoil to be moved, coupled with random numbers! Soon, however, time had moved on and digging was ceased. A total of 39 bags (which is more than the ‘about 8’ suggested) had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus a few token rocks added to the spoil heap wall.

Reports from Harley’s endeavours under the stemples seem to be positive as the prospects look promising. Time will tell. But now, it was time for the Hunters’

Vince, Sam, Jake, Brockers, Jon, Nick, Tav, and Mike

Before the team arrived, I nipped underground to Can of Worms to take another sediment sample from the ‘blasted’ rift (some interesting findings in the sample collected previously) before returning to the surface.

Back at the entrance met Sam who was tossing packs of empty bags down the rift. A brief chat, Sam went along to CoW to begin digging, I went up to the surface. The rest of the team were arriving. Nick, Brockers, Jake, and Jon were quickly below ground, Tav remained on the surface with me. Mike made a late appearance and, he too, ventured below ground. Thankfully, it was very pleasant on the surface in the warm early autumn sunshine.

Throughout the morning spoil arrived from the digs to the surface at a good, steady rate, easily manageable with two of us on the surface. Digging was taking place in at least three locations (two in CoW, one in the pot). The sediment from each location was very different. Over 90 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied, there were just a few rocks added to the spoil heap wall.

All too soon it was time to pack it in and make our way up the hill to the Hunters’ for some well-earned refreshments.

With Jake, Jon, Nick, Mike, and Harley

Time to see what the ‘bang’ had done!

Underground, it was obvious there had been recent rain the entrance was wet, water had flowed along the passage and down into the pot. Luckily, I avoided most of it (still wearing cotton overalls). Reeled in the wire as I made my way to CoW. The IRS had ‘powdered’ the rock – very few boulder-sized lumps, mostly gravel and dust to be bagged.

I was busy with hammer and chisel removing shattered flakes from the SW wall when Harley appeared followed by Mike. A brief chat, Harley stayed to help with digging, Mike went to the ledge to start hauling spoil away. I suspect Nick went down into the pot; Jon was moving stuff along to the entrance with Jake on the surface.

The morning moved on, the debris was cleared, enthusiasm started to wane, it doesn’t look especially inspiring. There is some more shattered rock to pry out but progress will be slow (it will need clearing before the next round of IRS, if we proceed in this direction). There are several alternatives to be considered. Packed it in for the day.

It had been raining! The surface crew (Jake and Jon) looked rather bedraggled. Probably time for the Hunters.’ The rain got heavier later.

I was quite surprised, maybe slightly perturbed, with the result – all I supplied was the original image (see below, taken in An Unexpected Development) no other information was given. Curiously, I use a Fenix light and don’t possess anything by Petzl, nor do I have a Lumix camera!

Vince, Jake, Nick, Jon, Sam, Tav, and Mike

A bit more ‘gardening’ – clearing brambles and nettles – while waiting for the team to arrive. Sam was first to show up followed, soon after by most of the others. A brief chat about this and that, then underground.

Earlier in the week I had been into the cave with Roz to carry out some chemically-induced ‘rock-bothering’ at both locations (CoW and the pot). There was a lot of rock and gravel debris to be cleared from the digs!

Tav and Jon headed off towards CoW, me and Sam started clearing a few rocks from the pot, then Nick joined us. Eventually, Mike turned up and he too descended into the pot where he was left to it. Nick returned to the surface to join Jake, me and Sam moved spoil along the ledge (from both dig locations) to the entrance from where it was hauled out to the surface. As expected, it was rather busy for a while as the easier loose spoil/bang debris was bagged up and larger lumps moved. As the morning progressed the flow rate of spoil decreased as it now required a bit more effort to retrieve the spoil. Just after midday the CoW diggers decided to pack it in and were soon followed out of the cave by the pot contingent. I took the opportunity to go along to CoW and see what the next steps will be needed there (no further IRS in the pot required at present). A plan in mind for mid-week I made my way to the surface to join the others.

Today’s total = 94 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus many, many rocks added to the spoil heap wall.

Time for the Hunters’

Vince, Brockers, Jon, Jake, Nick, Tav, Mike, and Harley

Arrived at the farm even earlier today but with a plan – I had drill/plugs and feathers packed ready for use!

A curious phenomenon was observed as I walked up across the fields towards HR – all the dandelion leaves had turned red!

At the cave, underground before 09:00 and along to CoW. The plan was to remove a bulge of rock on one side of the narrow rift to give a bit more space for digging. When I had achieved that objective, I made my way out of the cave to the surface where I met Jake and Brockers.

It wasn’t very long before the rest of the team were assembled. Jake and Nick made their way to CoW, Brockers and Harley descended into the pot, Tav was on the ledge, Mike at the bottom of the entrance, leaving me and Jon on the surface in the pleasant sunshine, a breeze to keep us cool. We were all aware it would be a slower session today – mostly clearing the last remnants of ‘bang debris’ (well, at least that was the initial plan!)

There was a slow but steady flow of spoil out to the surface and about midday when there was a lull in spoil, I decided to return underground to see how things were progressing and to establish whether a further application of IRS was required. First stop was the pot, where it was obvious there had been a misunderstanding of the ‘plan’. The large boulders that had formed the steps at the bottom of the stemples had been moved and were now covering the ‘banged’ area in the floor of the pot so this could not be cleared. The boulders now need to be dealt with. However, it was easier to reach the ‘slop’ in the low bedding on the SW side of the pot beyond the stemples, and this was being dug. The diggers seemed happy enough. On to CoW. Jake and Nick had neatly cleared the spoil from the narrow rift and the ‘way forward’ could be seen. A solid wall had been exposed on one side with a narrow, sediment-filled crack in the floor, the walls have evidence to suggest some fluid movement so will return with the necessary materials to create some space to continue downwards. A plan in my head I returned to the surface to continue hauling/emptying bags. It was not very long before all the diggers were back on the surface.

Today’s count = about 70 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus a selection of rocks added to the spoil heap wall. But now, the Hunters’ was beckoning!  

My 100th digging/cave-related trip of 2026!

Vince, Sam, Jake, Tav, Nick, and Harley

Always a sense of anticipation going back to see what effects a bang has had!

Arrived early to check things out. At the bottom of the entrance sat down to start reeling in the wires. Dropped down into the pot, there was quite a bit of fly-rock into the NE passage and some large lumps of rock strewn about the vicinity of the ‘bang’. Plenty of stuff to be cleared from here. Reasonably satisfied, climbed back up to the ledge and continued reeling in the wire towards Can of Worms. Not so much fly-rock here due to the blast being contained within the narrow rift. Got to work with bar and chisel to loosen and remove fractured and shattered rock.

It wasn’t very long before Sam arrived in CoW, a brief discussion, and he went off to retrieve the longer section of ladder currently residing in Trick or Treat. It might be useful later. It was not very long before Sam arrived back in CoW and helped with spoil clearance.

A smaller team assembled today and soon were hauling the spoil out to the surface.

Harley on the ledge, Jake and Nick moving the spoil along from the ledge to the entrance, Tav was up on the surface hauling everything out, happy to be kept moving to distract the numerous flies buzzing around!

When the flow of spoil from CoW decreased, Jake and Nick decided to clear the loose debris from down in the pot. As time passed the digging activities slowed, and then, came to an end, the cave was exited. There is still more poking and prodding required at both dig locations so no required for any chemically enhanced speleo-genesis in the midweek.

Today’s total = 70 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus 40 skip loads of rock removed from the cave for the walls. It was now time for the Hunters’

Another trip into the cave to carry out some chemically-induced speleogenesis in Can of Worms and down in the pot. All good! Should be plenty of stuff to clear on the weekend.

Vince, Sam, Nick, Tav, Jake, Jon, Mike, and this week’s guest, Ed Ford

Arrived ahead of the team to check that Wednesday’s chemically-induced ‘rock bothering’ had achieved the desired effect.

Into the cave, reeled in the wires and inspected the damage. As expected, the use of 40g had produced lots of gravel-, cobble- and small boulder-sized fragments of rock at both locations. Sam arrived in Can of Worms, and we decided to fill a few bags with bang debris until Nick and Tav arrived to take over. Sam and I moved along to the ledge. Sam managed to ‘drop’ some large boulders that appeared to be rather precariously perched above the pot. Unfortunately, on the way down the lower stemples were bent and might require replacing. However, there are now some ‘convenient’ rock steps!

By now the team had arrived and spoil was being hauled out to the surface. Mike took our guest for a tour of the finer parts of the cave.

Most of the clearance effort took place in CoW but some debris was moved from the pot when the flow of spoil from CoW slowed. At the end of the session, 69 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied with an undetermined quantity of rocks hauled out and added to the spoil heap wall. Both locations will benefit from another application of ‘induced-rapid speleogenesis’, IRS.

Vince, Jake, Jon, Brockers, Nick, Tav, and Harley

Got to the cave ahead of the others so that I could get some photos in Can of Worms now that the bang debris has been cleared. Looks interesting. Returned to the surface to await the arrival of the team.

Once all were assembled, Jon and Brockers went off to Can of Worms to get the digging underway. Nick, Tav, and Harley positioned themselves between the ledge and the bottom of the pot, with me and Jake on the surface. First job of the day was to clear the spoil accumulated and still in the cave after last weekends activity. A total of 37 bags had been filled now it was time to haul them out and empty them, there were a lot of rocks too. It was another warm day. All done, ready for the next lot!

Another 40 or so bags were filled, hauled, and emptied plus an undetermined quantity of rocks added to the spoil heap wall. The majority of the spoil came from Can of Worms and a lesser number from the bottom of the pot.

At the close of the session, it seems that both dig locations need some chemical persuasion – some large blocks of rock to deal with. I’ll need to give the matter some consideration as my diary is quite full for the next week. I will ponder a while!

Right now, it was time for the Hunters’

Report by Jon:

“Harley,  Jon and Jake arrived at the appointed hour. The team determined that all members should go underground.  In Can of Worms, Harley and Jake dug. Jon stacked on the ledge. Vince banged boulders mid-week. Harley and Jake dug accordingly, mainly downwards. The space at the dig face is somewhat larger. Further effort is needed going down.  No bang required at present. There was no progress going forward. Between hauling sessions, Jon removed some spoil from the pot. With a small team, minimal hauling was done. Some 30 to 40 bags are stacked on the ledge, along with rocks. Hence,  no bags were removed; no rocks were removed. We suspect that next week’s bag count will be high. 

When the sun reached the appointed position, the team retired to a local hostelry for light refreshments.”

Vince, Brockers, Jon, Jake, Nick, and Tav

Walked up to the cave with Brockers who had also arrived early at the farm. We occupied ourselves with bundling up the dry bays until the rest of the team arrived.

It was good to get underground, much cooler. In CoW, Jon digging, I was clearing the filled bags and rocks. The spoil was hauled away by Jake positioned on the ledge, a spot once occupied by Nick, but he had slipped away, down into the pot to resume the ‘tidying’ project. Tav was at the bottom of the entrance. Brockers was up on the surface where the temperature was rising steadily – the current ‘heatwave’ continues (temps. consistently >30 degs C.)

In CoW, going ‘south’ under the calcite flowstone, progress is slower – very compact (and drying) purplish-red, with pale greenish-grey streaks/lens, silt and clay (reminiscent of ‘Keuper’ and ‘Tea-green’ marl, weathered Mercia Mudstone ?) The silt and clay interspersed with blocks of calcite and conglomerate. Meanwhile, down in the pot, Nick is busily removing anything that looks like ‘fill’ and maintaining a steady flow of spoil out of the cave to the surface. The application of induced rapid speleogenesis will benefit both dig sites and a plan has been put into action.

At the end of the session, 80 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus about 15 skip-loads of rock for the wall pile – a sterling solo effort by Brockers on the surface.

Time for some refreshments at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn.

Vince, Jon, Jake, Sam, Tav, Harley, and Mike

Spent a moment trying to establish another altitude reading but without success.

Underground, Harley and Mike digging in CoW, me and Jon on the ledge, Sam at the bottom of the entrance, with Jake and Tav up on the surface.

The pile of rocks in CoW from Tuesday’s plugs & feathers session were cleared, followed by filled bags and sporadic stones. As the rate of spoil flow eased the opportunity to clear the rocks from the bottom of the pot. As he was there anyway Jon decided to continue with the ‘tidying’ work and fill some bags with not very dry ‘slop!’ And a few stones too.

And so, the morning progressed. A total of 68 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied plus ’30-odd’ skip loads of rocks added to the spoil heap wall. All was good and everyone seemed happy. No special family occasions this weekend – the Hunters’ was open for refreshments which were enjoyed.

Solo

Time for some ‘rock-bothering.’ First stop at the bottom of the pot (Soft South) to break-up the large boulder there. It’s very ‘mucky’ here, lots of soft sediment that has been washed in over several years, wellie’s kept getting stuck. Thankfully, it didn’t take too long to get the job done. Climbed back up to the ledge and along to the current end of Can of Worms. Slowly got to work reducing several ‘almost’ loose rocks a bit at a time. After a couple of hours or so the rocks were gone and now, there’s a rather big pile of rock debris to be removed at the weekend. Now the ‘loose’ rocks are out of the way, the way forward can be seen, a fine-grained sediment choked ‘rift’ to be excavated. Looks interesting. Time to pack away kit and exit the cave. About 3 hours spent under-ground.

Vince, Jon, Jake, Nick, Tav, Harley, and Mike

I was keen to see what effects the induced rapid speleogenesis (IRS) had been so arrived at the cave ahead of the others. Quickly underground and reeled in the wires as I progressed towards the Soft South. Down at the bottom of the pot there was some ‘fly-rock’ as expected, and the boulders were reduced although a couple of larger lumps might require further reduction using plugs & feathers. Conglomerate is a difficult rock at times with variable clasts and vughs lined with calcite affecting fracture propagation. There was plenty of stuff to be cleared. Back up the stemples and along to Can of Worms. More ‘fly-rock,’ loose rock and plenty of cracks to exploit, plenty for the digging team to get on with. I returned to the surface.

At the entrance, the team had assembled. Tav and Jake made a beeline towards CoW, Nick headed towards the pot, Mike and Harley on the ledge, Jon at the bottom of the entrance and, after digging last weekend, I was on the surface. Once diggers got settled and things were underway, the rocks and filled bags arrived at a good steady rate with enough gaps in the flow to allow bags to be emptied and rocks to be added to the spoil heap walls. When time allowed, Jon came to the surface to help out with disposal and redistribution of the spoil.

By the end of the session a total of 47 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus an equal or greater number of skip-loads of rock ( I didn’t count!) added to the walls. A productive morning. Reports from the diggers indicate there is work to be done with plugs & feathers at both areas of current interest.

Refreshments were enjoyed, by those that had remembered to bring them, at the cave entrance today as the Hunters’ Lodge Inn was closed for a family occasion.

Vince and Roz

The best place to be during a heatwave is underground where the air is cool and fresh. Any excuse to go ‘rock bothering,’ creating more space to work in Can of Worms and reducing boulders at the bottom of the pot in the Soft South!

Emerged to a very warm surface! On the way home stopped at the Hunters’ for the customary post-digging refreshments.

Vince, Tav, Jake, Nick, Jon, and Mike

Another day for the plugs & feathers to be pressed into action. Before that though dried bags to be packed and a bit of tinkering with the spoil heap wall while waiting for the team to assemble.

Underground in Can of Worms with Tav, we decided to widen the approach to the ‘loose’ rock flake giving more room to work. The plugs & feathers were used to re-move ‘chunks’ of rock. Slowly we made our way towards the ‘loose’ flake and, eventually, it was removed. It’s going to be slow, steady progress following this particular lead. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Soft South down at the bottom of the pot Nick was busying himself removing the accumulation of sediment and stones that had built up over the last few years. We didn’t really finish the investigation here instead being distracted by the large NE trending passage that led towards Trick or Treat and An Unexpected Development beyond. A useful project to occupy ‘restless’ diggers, while progress is slower in CoW.

Jake was kept busy on the ledge clearing the spoil from two areas of activity, Mike was at the bottom of the entrance, with Jon up on the surface enjoying (or enduring) the warm but humid conditions. A total of 55 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied. It was reported that some of the contents of the bags, claggy mud and stone (from the pot), was not easily emptied. An undetermined but substantial quantity of rocks were added to the wall.

As is our wont, refreshments were sought at our favourite hostelry, the Hunters’ Lodge Inn, to round a positive digging session off. Happy days.

Vince, Jon, Harley, Brockers, Tav, Nick, and Jake. Celebrating Global Wellness Day!

Earlier start for me, a boulder to break up in CoW. Soon got to work with plugs and feathers to reduce boulder to more manageable pieces.

When the rock was split some fine examples of calcite-crystal growth were exposed (Nick took an especially good sample home). Also, while I was there, tried to expand the small ‘hole’ revealed at the end of last weekends session. This would be the focus of attention for today.

Jon and Harley arrived at CoW to get on with the digging, I packed my kit away and went to join Brockers on the ledge, Nick made his way out to the surface to help Jake, Tav was at the bottom of the entrance. After an initial surge of rock and gravel removal the morning eased into a more sedate pace – digging is not so easy at present.

Some more tidying works were carried out on the ledge; I had the kit available so removed a rock bulge that might have been considered a ‘trip hazard!’ A message came from the end that there was another boulder to be reduced in size so a return to CoW to deal with that. The ‘hole’ had been opened considerably but was still obstructed by boulders, there’s plenty more work to be done here. Looks good though. However, the morning had slipped by and it was time for the Hunters’ the last bag was filled, hauled, and emptied, the cave secured, and we left.

Vince, Sam, Jake, Nick, Jon, and Harley

At the cave, whilst awaiting the arrival of the team, occupied myself with some gardening – trimming back brambles to allow more space for spoil disposal, and bundling up bags ready for refilling later. Jake and Sam arrived, soon followed by Nick, Jon, and Harley. A brief discussion ensued on who was doing what today.

It had been established that Jake was digging today so he set off towards CoW, quickly followed by Nick, Harley was on the ledge hauling spoil from the dig, Jon was shuttling the spoil across the ledge to Sam at the bottom of the entrance. After digging last weekend, I was on the surface today.

The morning began at a sedate pace for just a short time before the rate of flow of spoil increased – a steady supply of filled bags and rocks arrived on the surface. All was fine until it started to rain, the hauling rope got wet and slippery making it very difficult to grip, especially the heavier loads! Plunging the rope into a bucket of water to wash off the ingrained mud improved the situation. When a suitable pile of bags and rocks had amassed, Sam came up to the surface to help with emptying. Many rocks were added to the wall extension thereby creating space into which the bags could be relieved of their contents. And so, the morning progressed.

Todays total = 66 bags filled, hauled, and emptied and a substantial quantity of rocks added to the wall extension. The diggers (Nick and Jake) reported an intriguing [small] hole had appeared below the southern calcite-layered bank. It will be interesting to find out if this develops further over the coming sessions. Time for the pub!

Vince, Jake, Tav, Nick, Jon, and Harley

Carried the 3no. ‘new’ skips/bucket (made yesterday) up to the cave, and a little bit of ‘gardening’ while waiting for the others to arrive, watching, listening to the birds in the surrounding woodland.

The team assembled. In CoW, my turn to dig, Harley helped, Jake and Tav hauling and moving spoil to the entrance. Initially Nick was on the surface until Jon arrived.

At the dig face, progress to the SW has become constricted, c. 0.3m high with c.0.15m of that calcite-cemented sediment, and it’s going uphill! Not very inspiring at present. Relocated attention to a ‘possible’ lead on the southside, it might do something, who knows? I don’t like being negative. While this was going on, more ‘tidying’ work was done to the ledge to entrance route to make spoil removal easier. By about 12:15 had enough and called it a day!

Today’s total = 59 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus an undetermined quantity of rocks for the wall. Apparently, it had been pleasant on the surface in the sunshine. Now, however, it was time for the Hunters’

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, Tav, Mike, and Harley

Early at the farm and so was Brockers. Changed and wandered up to the cave to spend a little time ‘gardening’ around the spoil heap. Jake wasn’t far behind, and the rest of the team arrived soon after. Jon set off to CoW with Harley, Mike resumed a position on the ledge, Brockers took over Nick’s ‘tidying’ work along the spoil/skip route, while I was based at the bottom of the entrance. Jake and Tav were up on the surface carrying out spoil management roles.

As usual spoil moved through the cave from the two excavation areas at a good, steady rate, all personnel were kept occupied. There was plenty of mostly good-natured banter. Later in the session Mike traded places with Harley, and time passed quickly.

At the end of today’s session, a total of 86 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied with an undetermined quantity of rocks added to the spoil heap wall, some of these were large and heavy. The sun was shining, and it was rather warm on the surface.

Time for some refreshments at the Hunters’

Vince, Jake, Nick, Brockers, Jon, Sam, Tav, and Harley

At the cave entrance, spent a little time on the surface clearing vegetation and preparing the ground to further extend the spoil heap wall while waiting for the team to assemble.

A strong team for this morning’s digging session. Tav and Sam headed into Can of Worms to continue the dig at the current end, Jon and Harley were on the ledge, Brockers and Nick were also providing support moving spoil to the entrance as well as removing bulk material to expose bedrock and further improve the removal of spoil across the ledge to the entrance. Initially I was at the bottom of the entrance, but it soon became evident the I would be better on the surface with Jake to assist with spoil removal and redistribution. It was going to be a very busy morning with, at least, three diggers in action.

And so, it was! 136 bags were filled, hauled, emptied, and levelled on the spoil heap with at least a dozen skip loads (and a couple of rock-nets) of rock added to the wall.

We were thankful for a pleasant morning on the surface; warm, dry and sunny!

A pleasing and productive session. A positive report from Tav regarding dig at the current end of CoW – easier digging and the roof appears to be rising giving more space to work in. All good.

Refreshments were well-earned at our favourite hostelry!

Vince, Nick, Jake, Jon, Sam, Tav, Harley, and today’s guest, Nick Gymer

Some realignment of the spoil wall extension and bundled up dried bags while waiting for the teams arrival.

First to arrive were Jake and Sam who were quickly on their way underground to get digging underway in Can of Worms, I remained on the surface. The rest of the team turned up soon afterwards and descended into the cave to join the early diggers. Jon took Nick Gymer on a tour to An Unexpected Development (an earlier attempt to visit AUD by NG proved fruitless!) I’m not entirely sure who was where doing what but filled bags (and sporadic rocks) arrived at the entrance to be hauled out of the cave. Fortunately, there were enough breaks in the spoil hauling to allow the bags to be emptied and any rocks added to the wall. The weather was just right, pleasantly warm in the sunshine, and there was plenty of birdsong to entertain.

There were no reports of “supermassive black holes” from below just the steady flow of spoil to be hauled out. By the close of play, 89 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied, plus several skip loads of rocks onto the spoil heap wall. The spoil heap was left neat and tidy ready for the next session. Another good productive morning’s activity.

Time now for some well-earned refreshments at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn.

Vince, Jake, Tav, Sam, Jon, Nick, and Harley

I spent some time levelling over the spoil heap ready for the dumping of more material and started to bundle-up the dried bags ready for refilling later. The team arrived.

In Can of Worms, it was my turn to dig aided by Jake, continued to pursue the sediment-filled fossil passage/bedding trending southwest. It’s not especially ‘easy-digging’’ lying on your side swinging a ‘pick’ to loosen the sometimes cemented-sediment but it is, curiously, satisfying. It is drying out considerably in this part of the cave. There is no sign yet of a ‘supermassive black hole. But it does keep us entertained! And progress is positively going forward.

Tav was on the ledge hauling spoil from CoW with Sam, Harley, and Jon getting the spoil to the bottom of the entrance, where Nick hauled it out to the surface. For no apparent reason, Jon, Harley, and Sam ventured along to the Gnarly North (Harley went to the surface to ‘warm-up’ soon afterwards!) There was also some fettling done to the skip-run between the entrance and ledge, but signs of “improvement” were not obvious.

The time passed quickly and at close of play, a total of 63 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied onto the spoil heap, plus a few rocks added to the wall. As ever, a good session.

Time for the Hunters’

With Nick, Jake, Tav, Jon, Brockers, and young Harley Bennett came back for more. Got to do our part to encourage and support future generations of diggers.

Underground ahead of the teams arrival, a bit more work on the skip-run between the entrance and pot/ledge. Laid down a strip of plastic belt to see if that might ease the movement of the skip around the bend (it wasn’t a success, some further consideration required!) The team arrived…

Before digging in Can of Worms commenced, a brief discussion re: chemical alteration of passage shape, the outcome – not necessary at this moment. Nick got on with digging, I was clearing away the filled bags (filled a few with some ‘trample’ too), Jake was hauling the skip from the dig to the ledge, Tav transferred the spoil to the next skip to be hauled to the entrance by Jon, Brockers was on the surface with Harley.

In Can of Worms, Nick seemed very happy, the digging effort concentrated on following the sediment-filled bedding to the south-west. As yet, no sign of a “supermassive black hole” but then do we really care, after all, ‘breakthroughs’ only spoil a good dig!

Today’s total was 69 bags filled, hauled and emptied on the surface, although there were some bags emptied below ground to ‘level-up’ the skip-run. There were not many rocks suitable for wall building today. A fine session, always better when the cave dries up!

Refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunters’ as tradition dictates!

Just me to start with but Roz joined me later in the morning!

Today’s objective involved more rock bothering focusing on removal of the rock and calcite obstruction that impedes the ‘free-flow’ of the loaded skip from the pot/ledge to the entrance. Calcite is always difficult to deal with, and the rock, geothermally ‘altered’ marl was fine-grained, ‘baked’ hard (‘ceramic-like’) and splintery.  

Slowly chunks were removed, and with much hammering and chisel work the skip route was improved although it might require some ‘levelling-up’ by the addition of a few bags of silt/clay material, we’ll soon find out on the weekend.

Roz arrived and moved the pile of rock debris to the bottom of the entrance, and gravel was bagged and moved too. Roz also took quite a few photographs, and a selection are included with today’s summary.

I packed the kit away (drill and plugs/feathers) before, quickly, going along to the current end of Can of Worms to check on progress. Some discussion had taken place on the weekend about whether some chemical persuasion might be required. I could take off some rock at roof level to increase the working are but the floor needs cleaning to get a better view of what could be done there.

Back on the surface, cave secured, picked up Tav’s helmet (left behind at the weekend) and we returned to the farm. No Hunters; today (closed). Job done!

Vince, Jake, Nick, Jon, Tav, Mike, and todays guest digger, Harley Bennett

While waiting for the team to assemble at the cave I spent some time ‘titivating’ the spoil heap prior to the morning’s activities, before packaging the dried bags ready to be refilled later.

The team duly arrived. I wanted to have a look to see if the area where the bears are located had dried out so took Harley on a round trip to An Unexpected Development (Harley is working towards a Duke of Edinburgh Award) ending at Can of Worms. The ‘bear’ area has not dried sufficiently so no further excavation possible at present. There are a lot of tools and bags left in this area that could do with clearing back towards the cave entrance so they can be used elsewhere. When we got to CoW, Harley was directed towards the dig where Tav and Jon were busy digging and I went to the bottom of the entrance to help with spoil removal, Jake went up to the surface to haul bags and rocks out. Mike was on the ledge hauling spoil from the dig, Nick was doing his own ‘thing’ on the ledge, I’m not sure it is entirely necessary, but I couldn’t be bothered to argue the point.

The backlog of bags and rocks in the entrance were cleared, and I returned to the surface to help Jake empty the bags and add rocks to the wall before going back underground to resume my position. The morning progressed steadily.

At the end of the session, about 75 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus several skip loads of rocks added to the wall. And the weather was good!

Onwards to the Hunters’ Lodge Inn for the usual refreshments and debrief discussion.

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, Nick, and Tav

At the cave waiting for the team to arrive fiddled about with the spoil heap walls and started packing the dry bags into bundles ready to be refilled later.

On surface duties today so stripped off oversuit, the sun was shining, and it was likely to be busy today. Jake was continuing the dig towards the southwest in Can of Worms assisted by Tav, Jon on the edge of the pot hauling away the spoil from CoW (I assume), Nick attending to a ‘protrusion’ of sediment that had been left following a recent slump of material, and Brockers at the bottom of the entrance. When there was a lull in proceedings, Brockers came up to the surface to help empty bags. Rocks were added to the wall. That’s how the morning went really.

By the end of the session, at least 100 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus quite a few rocks added to the spoil heap wall. A satisfying and productive digging session to be rounded off with a visit to our favourite hostelry, the Hunters’ for some refreshments and conversation.

Vince, Jake, Tav, Sam, Jon, and Nick

Got to the cave ahead of the others planning to reduce the lump of rock and calcite at the dig in Can of Worms. A slight distraction was caused by a pile of rocks, and I could not resist the temptation to add some of the stones to the spoil heap wall. Tore myself away to get underground and get on with my original objective. There has been a spell of fine weather over the last few days and in the cave, it is drying up noticeably, kit stays much cleaner.

I was just finished and packing away my drill and plugs/feathers when I could hear the sound of bag bundles being dropped down the entrance and I was soon joined by Jake. I got on with digging to the SW side of the chamber, Jake cleared the pile of rocks I had created and filled bags. Jake also had a poke in the SSW corner of the chamber but that did not develop into anything of further interest. Tav was hauling spoil from the ledge position with Sam and Jon clearing spoil to the entrance, Nick was enjoying the sunshine on the surface and hauling, emptying bags (and the rocks).

Sam and Jon decided to have a trip to the end of the Gnarly North because Sam had not been there before and to retrieve the digging paraphernalia left there several years ago. It was not a surprise to hear there was still water in the ‘spa’ and that it was cold! But, that section of the cave is now clear of stuff (this required two trips!)

Back in Can of Worms, as the morning passed by, the dig slowly inched forward, the roof began to rise, and more space was created. Most of the digging had been led on my side but at the close of the session I was now able to sit up and dig. The way forward looks promising – always good to finish on a positive note.

On the way back across the ledge something looked different and there was a ‘nose’ of sediment that would probably need tidying as it might soon come away. I was to learn later that there had been another minor slump that Jon had dealt with.

Today’s total = about 60 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus another considerable quantity of rocks added to the wall. Another productive session, but now time for the Hunters’

Walking across the fields, a procession of diggers carrying lots of old skips and plastic bags to be recycled (instigated by Nick, I think)

Vince, Nick, Jake, Tav, and Jon. And then there were five…

Another earlier start for me (underground by 08:45) to break up the very large lump of calcite and conglomerate left on the floor in Can of Worms last weekend. Quickly set to work with plugs and feathers, drilling longer holes today (14mm x 260mm drill bit) due to the thickness of the lump. This process worked well but ran out of battery power (3no. 14ah 36v) before the job was finished, something left for next weekend.

Just as I ran out of battery juice Nick arrived at Can of Worms and the pile of rock debris was removed to the surface. Nick then got on with digging, concentrating on working under the low arch on the SW side of the chamber. I cleared away the filled bags and sporadic rock to Jake perched on the ledge, Tav was flitting to and fro between the entrance and the ledge, Jon made his way up to the surface to haul out the spoil. The digging is not especially easy at present through a compact, alternating layers of calcite flowstone and fine-grained sediment (silt, sand) but Nick maintained a steady flow of spoil. It was noticeably drier in the cave compared to last weekend and certainly not as mucky.

At the close of today’s session, 68 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied and a lot of rocks were added to the wall-building pile. It was pleasant on the surface in the sunshine but now it was time for the Hunters’.

Vince, Brockers, Nick, Jon, Jake, Tav, Mike, and Sam came back for another go!

While at the cave awaiting the arrival of the team carried out some essential wall repairs and some spoil heap management duties.

A full squad assembled for this morning’s activities and while others were sorting out who was going where I took the opportunity to take Sam along to An Unexpected Development. Along the way a brief account of the history of the cave’s exploration to date. Followed the route including Merlin’s Magic Milk Parlour, Tuck Shop, Another Emotional Journey to AUD, returning through ‘the hole in the floor‘ to Trick or Treat along to the pot and up to Can of Worms. Sam continued out to the surface to join Jake and I joined the ‘support’ team (Nick and Brockers) on the ledge, Jon and Tav were busy digging away in CoW. Brockers was hauling the spoil from CoW, and I was loading the skip to Mike at the bottom of the entrance, this left Nick stuck in the middle, so he continued to ‘tidy’ the area where a small alcove had been revealed by the ‘slump’ of material a few of weeks ago. Everyone was happy doing something, there was plenty of banter.

Throughout the session there was a continuous, steady flow of spoil (filled bags and rocks) going out to the surface. Some of the rocks were on the lumpy side and the ‘rock-net’ was put to use on several occasions – good wall-building stuff. When it is busy time passes quickly and all too soon it was time to pack it in and clear the last of the spoil from the cave. My presence was requested in Cow. A large (almost 1m dia. x c.0.5m thick) lump of calcite and conglomerate had become detached and required size reduction. After a close inspection I think I can deal with it using plugs and feathers with some hammer and chisel work if necessary. Out to the surface to join the others.

Today’s count = 101 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus plenty of rocks added to the extension wall. Time for refreshments at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn.

Vince, Mike, Jake, Jon, Tav, Nick, and Brockers. The full squad!

At the cave, while waiting for the team to arrive added the pile of stones recovered last weekend to the wall extension and levelled spoil behind the wall, created more space for emptying bags later.

The team assembled. Underground in Can of Worms, me and Mike rotated the digging under the ‘arch’ on the SW side of the chamber, Jake, Jon, and Tav removed the spoil and between filled bags and rocks cleared the remaining slumped material off the ledge. Also, venturing to the bottom of the pot to tidy the spillover material from there too. Nick and Brockers were on the surface taking care of spoil redistribution.

At the dig face, a large boulder was removed from overhead that had been part of the sediment-fill in another ‘cross-rift’ that needed to be cleared before concentrating again on forward progress. Much of the silt trickling down your neck, which was irritating! Steady progress was made throughout the session and with the full team assembled spoil was shifted through the cave to the surface and on to the spoil heap. This meant digging was continued beyond midday. No idea how many bags were filled, hauled, and emptied today – someone said, “quite a lot!”

Satisfied with the morning’s effort, we departed, re-assembling at the Hunters’ for the usual post-digging refreshments.

Vince, Nick, Brockers, Jake, Jon, and Mike

Packed drill/plugs and feathers into tackle bag and loaded into Kangoo along with the previously prepared skips and all the other stuff required for a digging session in HR. All loaded, over the hill towards Wookey Hole. A bright, sunny morning was a welcome change from the recent persistent rain.

At the cave, quickly underground and along to Can of Worms to deal with the boulder left there (4no. holes – 4no. pieces), then back to the ledge where another boulder had been left. This was, similarly, dealt with. As I was packing kit away Nick and Brockers arrived to get digging underway at the current end of CoW.

A little while later Mike arrived and between us, we started to remove spoil back towards the entrance where Jake was waiting, Jon on the surface (Jake and Jon later swapped positions). It was a busy morning and there was not much time to clear the ledge of slumped material the result of last weekend’s prodding! The small decorated ‘grotto’ is just that – small, it doesn’t have much potential for anything else.

Time slips by quickly when you’re busy and, all too soon, it was midday. As expected, the diggers were reluctant to stop, the way forward was quite easy digging and they were happy to continue…but there was spoil to clear from the cave and there were bags to empty.

Today’s count = 103 (or thereabouts) bags filled, hauled, and emptied and about 15 skip loads of rocks in a pile ready to be added to the spoil heap wall.

It was still sunny! To the Hunters’ for some refreshments.

Vince, Nick, Brockers, Jake, and Jon

Got to HR before the team arrived to clear some vegetation (mostly brambles) and prepare the ground for the continuing extension of the spoil heap wall – somewhere for the inevitable supply of rocks to be utilized.

When the team arrived, Jake and Jon made a ‘beeline’ towards Can of Worms, Nick and Brockers provided the main support clearing away the spoil to the entrance. I started at the bottom of the entrance until a suitable quantity of filled bags had amassed then went up to the surface to haul them out and empty the bags, any rocks were added to the previously prepared area.

Just before Nick went underground, I mentioned that he might take a look at the perched rocks above the ‘slump’ along the ledge. There has been a lot of rain this week so for the sake of ‘safety’ they needed checking. On reflection, that was like ‘a red rag to a bull’ with the predictable result – the rocks were removed and immediately followed by more slumping! This resulted in a lot more work for me and also kept Nick occupied. An interesting consequence of this action was a small ‘viewing’ chamber containing some decent stalactite formations was revealed. This has yet to be fully investigated as it was decided that it might be better to let things settle down a bit and let gravity to its work.

Meanwhile in CoW, things were also progressing, and later reports were encouraging, the small ‘arch’ revealed last weekend continues and is showing some positive signs. It has now been opened up considerably and at the end of the session a lot of rocks were removed, digging is now much easier. As ever, time passes quickly and reluctantly digging came to an end, the last few filled bags and rocks were cleared from the cave and deposited on to the spoil heap. Today’s total: about 100 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus many rocks added to the wall extension!

A very satisfactory session rounded off with a visit to our favourite hostelry – The Hunters’ Lodge Inn.

Vince, Mike, Jon, Jake, Tav, Brockers, and Nick. A full squad gathered!

As planned I arrived at the cave ahead of the others and was quickly underground. I wanted to get the slumped material bagged up and clear the path along the ledge. This was necessary to enable the spoil from Can of Worms to be moved safely. I was just filling the last couple of bags when the team started to arrive.

A brief discussion with Jon and Jake about the slump then joined Mike in CoW. Left Mike to get on with digging (SW side) while I loaded the rocks (from yesterday) into the skip to be hauled away by Jon. Jake transported the spoil across the ledge, Tav was at the bottom of the entrance with Brockers and Nick on the surface. More material was cleared (by Jake and Jon) from the ledge path in between bags.

In CoW, digging is not easy going downwards – calcite-cemented boulders and large lumps of fractured, displaced ‘flowstone’ – it was slow going. At one stage it was not looking quite so good, but towards the end of the session, an ‘edge’ was poked and prodded and a promising ‘arch’ was revealed, there appears to be a way forward trending SW blocked by calcite-layers and compact fine-grained sediment. It was good to end the digging session on a ‘positive’ note! During the morning there was a stream of visitors (Jake, Jon, Tav) into the dig to check on progress. It was soon time to pack it in and return to the surface, there had been mumblings about “getting wet” relayed to the diggers from the surface – it may have been ‘Chinese whispers’, I’m not sure.

Today’s total = 80 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus quite a few rocks to be added to the wall. Everyone was happy, and it was not raining! To the Hunters’

Solo

Packed the Bosch Powerhammer 36v (for a change) along with plugs/feathers, loaded the Kangoo and set-off over the hill to the farm. I was soon at the cave.

On arrival, I got distracted by the pile of rocks hauled out last weekend and could not help myself. All the rocks were added to the western wall extension before venturing underground.

It has been very wet recently and the ingress of water into the cave has resulted in a slump of sediment from the bank alongside the ledge path around the pot. It is in the way and will require clearing tomorrow before spoil can be removed from Can of Worms – good job there is a hand-line in place! I negotiated a route around the slump and made my way into CoW. It did not take too long to deal with the large boulder there before retracing my steps to the ledge.

On the ledge another, smaller, boulder was reduced in size. Photographs were taken, kit was packed away (again) and I made my way out of the cave.

A brief stop at the Hunters’ for refreshments on the way home.

Vince, Jake, Brockers, Nick, and Mike

The plan for this morning was to get up to the cave and along to Can of Worms ahead of the team, real in the wire, and see what effect the ‘bang’ had. At first appearance it did not look as successful as the last blast, but after some poking and prodding it was apparent that many fractures had been induced – might just require a bit more effort to get the rock out!

But that was a task for Nick and Brockers who had just arrived at the dig. After a brief discussion with them I made my way back to help Mike shift the imminent procession of rocks and filled bags along to Jake waiting at the bottom of the entrance. It was not long before a considerable pile of spoil had accrued at the entrance, and I moved along to help Jake get it up to the surface. All cleared, back for the next lot, and so it went.

When the bulk of the loose debris had been cleared there was enough of a lull in proceedings to go and have another look at the end. There is no need for another phase of chemical persuasion, still plenty to dig; there are some large boulders that will require further attention and the use of plugs/feathers. There appears to be some potential moving forward to the ‘southwest’. I returned to spoil removal duties.

At about midday the diggers very reluctantly downed tools and joined the effort to clear the cave and empty bags, rocks were moved closer to the wall. Todays total = 65 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus an unknown quantity of rocks shifted to make a big pile for the wall, and some are heavy!

Time for the Hunters’ Lodge Inn. Another satisfying session done.